3 Steps to Keep Your Options Open

Regardless of your comfort level at your current job, you never know when you might suddenly be looking for a new career, sometimes unexpectedly.  Your company might get purchased, you might lose a huge client, you could get fired, your boss could get replaced…the possibilities are endless.  There are a few easy steps you should take to keep your career network open, regardless of your current status, since it could change tomorrow:

1. Build & update your Working Resume - Use this ‘working resume’ as an opportunity for you to keep yourself updated on what you’re doing & accomplishing at your job.  Too many times I’ve seen candidates stay at a company for years and years, but when it comes time to build their resume, they’ve forgotten all of their major accomplishments!  Were you the top biller in the 4^th quarter of 2011?  Go into your working document resume and write a short bullet about this.  Awarded good citizenship award in August?  Make a note.  If it comes time to actually begin looking for a job, it will be extremely easy to go in and clean up this version of a resume, rather than having to write one from scratch.
2. Build a relevant LinkedIn profile.  The phrase “If you build it, they will come” was made famous in the movie Field of Dreams, and it’s relevant to your online profile as well.  Upload your experience, education, and activities onto LinkedIn, and use LinkedIn as your professional network, only including things that you would want a potential employer to view. (I discourage you from connecting your twitter feed, especially if you’re updating twitter on a Friday at 1 in the morning)  Include a professional profile picture, and join several LinkedIn groups such as your school’s alumni group, or any professional associations related to your chosen field.
3. Reply to any headhunter that contacts you.  LinkedIn is the lifeblood of recruiters, and they will find you online if you’re visible.  My advice is to reply to them all, even if you are not willing to interview for a job.  Letting them know that “you’re not ready to actively interview, but would love to find out about the type of positions that they specialize in, and keep in contact for future opportunities.”  Many (good) recruiters appreciate this, and would be willing to have a 5-10 minute conversation about your dream job, so they could keep you on file.

That’s it!  By taking these three simple steps you’ll keep opportunities open for without exposing yourself to your current employer as someone wanting to leave your current position.  By taking these easy steps you won’t be too far behind if you all of a sudden you find yourself in need of your next opportunity.