Passive Job Hunting

By Kevin Donlin, CollegeRecruiter.com

How safe is your job? Could you be the next layoff victim on your block?

These days, "there's almost a layoff panic," says Mark Oldham, co-founder of Vault.com, a job-research site.

Perception, as they say, is 9/10 of reality. And today, many people perceive the economy to be slowing down. That translates into corporate downsizing and layoffs.

Here are four ways you can avoid -- or rebound from -- a layoff, by conducting a never-ending, passive job search.

Plug into your network.

Think of every person you know -- and the people THEY know -- as a potential job lead.

Make sure your friends and acquaintances know what you do, what you can do and what you'd be happy doing in a new job. It's your job to make sure others are aware of your skills, not vice versa.

Arm yourself with an updated resume.

Revise your resume every three to six months with your latest achievements and awards. And review your career objective to make sure it's in line with your current goals.

You should be able to print your resume on a moment's notice, because the best jobs go fast.

See and be seen.

To land a trophy job, keep a baited hook in the water -- consider posting and reposting your resume on job sites every 30-60 days. Concerned about your boss finding out? Check a site's privacy statement before posting, or just use a fake name.

In addition, you can register at most job sites to be notified by email whenever suitable openings pop up. The jobs come to you, like the classified ads in reverse.

Interview yourself.

You can never be too comfortable talking about your skills and achievements. Example -- what's your answer to this question: "Why should I hire you?" Don't have an answer? Start practicing.

Use time in the car, or even the shower, to actually interview yourself and polish your delivery. Do so until you can easily rattle off your best three or four achievements at every job you've had.

The best way to prepare for adversity is ... to prepare! By conducting a passive job search while still employed, you can avoid a career wrong turn amid any economic downturn.

Best of luck to you!

-- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit CollegeRecruiter.com