Seems as though most people don’t start the interview process until they’re out of a job or hating their current job so much that they can’t stand it.
I know from experience. I was with a company for almost nine years and didn’t interview enough. I was loyal to the company, and let’s just say, in the end, they were not loyal to me. ‘Nuff said.
I’ve been at my current job now for over three years and I love it! So why then, would I interview for a new job? I interview pretty regularly. I even send my resume out. However, I’m very selective about sending my resume. I’m very concerned with working with a company whose values and integrity align closely with mine. I don’t want to work with a company that is participating in practices or offering products and services that don’t “mesh” with me. Needless to say, I don’t send my resume out all willy-nilly all over the place. I’m no resume whore, no ma’am.
The first question that a headhunter or prospective interviewer asks when they contact me is, “Why are you leaving ________?” You see, I’m very fortunate to work for a company that LOTS of people want to work for and has a very good reputation.
My response is always the same, and it’s completely truthful:
“I’m not looking for a job. I love my job. I have a professional obligation to myself to know what’s going on in the market. While I love my current position, I like to keep abreast of other opportunities for growth that may be a great fit for me. Any position would have to be near perfect and meet all my criteria for me to begin discussions with you.”
Surprisingly, that doesn’t scare people away. It allows me to have the salary discussion much sooner than in a normal situation, as that can be a deal breaker for me. It also allows me to set forth my alignment issues about wanting to work for a sustainable company, a socially responsible and morally ethical company with commitments to doing the “right” thing. I ask about future plans for sustainability, how they plan to address the change in the economy and where this company will be in 10 years. It works. There are been positions that I’ve turned down in that first conversation based on one of the above and there have been positions that we can mutually agree that aren’t a good fit.
It’s a nice position to be in, looking for a job when you don’t need one.
Here’s my recommendation to you — Get out there. Put yourself out there. But first, make your wish list of all of the things that you want from a job or a career. Then be selective about who you talk to and stick to your guns.
It will all come together.
To learn more about Geggie, check out her blog, So…What Else, What Else, What Else?.
