Why You Should Never Stop Job Searching

Why You Should Never Stop Job SearchingWhy You Should Never Stop Job SearchingWhile it might be a bit depressing or daunting to hear this, its important to realize thecurrent average tenure for employee-status jobs is 4.2 years, which means youre likely to start a new job search every few years anyway.And obviously, freelancers are often continuously building their pipeline of potential clients while also juggling multiple current projects at once.So whether youre thinking about bringing your search to a complete halt because youve landed a job youre content with, or because you have lost hope and all motivation, you should reconsider. Allowing time to lapse between job searches- even when youre happily employed- can shut you off from even better job opportunities. So it may be a smart strategy to continue job searching and stay engaged in your searchat least passivelyto be on the lookout for your next great opportunity, because you never know when it will pop up.One great strategy t o consider is to continue your membership even after you land a job, or start to think theres notlagehing out there for you. Whether or not youve already been successful finding flexible work through , maintaining your membership is a fantastic way to continue receiving daily email updates and leads about fresh opportunities in your career field.Youll also continue to have access to the best, professional, hand-screened flexible jobs out there- as well as some great discounts on products and services that can help you succeed in both your career and your job search.In addition, maintaining your membership will give you continued access to skill testing, which is a great way to gauge your professional strengths that youll be able to market to future potential employers.Heres why you should continue job searching, even after you land a job or have lost hopeChange is always on the horizon.The job marketplace is a living thing. New companies start up, thriving organizations are bought out or merge with bigger entities, companies sometimes go out of business. Because the marketplace isnt static, your job search status shouldnt be either. If youve stopped your search because you think youll never find the right job, think again. Thousands of new opportunities pop up every single day. And if you stopped your search because you recently landed a job, but a better opportunity comes along, keep in mind thatjob hoppingdoesnt necessarily hold the stigma that it once did.Job searching keeps you connected with the marketplace and your network.While there are great job opportunities to be found through online resources like the database, dont neglect networking as a fantastic means of finding out about jobs in your area. Keep your ear to the ground by attending networking events, trade gatherings, conferences, and more casual get-togethers where you can increase your chances of hearing about job openings that might be a step up for you.A job search can help you promote yo ur brand.Although you probably dont want to advertise to your current boss that youre looking for other opportunities (if youre currently employed), a continual job search, when done discreetly, can help you scope out the competition, burnish your personal branding, and decide which skills to highlight as job opportunities change. Your billboard, controlled by you on social media and other online platforms, can be a sure-fire magnet to draw other opportunities your way.You may increase your salary.Even though you may be content in your current position, keeping your job search going after you land a job could mean a heftier paycheck. That could happen in number of ways. For one, you may get a better sense of whether the salary in your new job is on par with current standards and, if its not, you may want to consider negotiating a salary with your new boss thats more in line with the job market. Or, if youre offered that higher-paying job, you may decide to switch to the more lucrati ve position.You may be more likely to keep your skills updated.If youre perusing job openings in your fieldeven after youve landed a job, you may be more likely to educate yourself about professional skills and requirements that can keep you more competitive. Technological innovations make for constant changes in the skills landscape. And depending on your career field, training and education standards may be changing too. If you continue job searching while newly employed, youll be well-positioned to know how your qualifications measure up.You can keep your interviewing skills sharp.Practice makes perfect. If you continue searching for work actively, theres always a chance youll be called in for a job interview. You may find that the more youre able to practice skills and drills to prep for job interview, the more polished your interviewing skills become. Apractice interview for a job youre not sure you want can be a good way to help confront jitters and smooth out any rough spots. That way, youre more likely to be poised and ready when youre interviewed for job you really want.A final thoughtOne last thing to note, however, is that this strategy shouldnt be a cause of stress or burn-out. If you find that continuing your job search is causing either, it may be time to take a breakStart searching for your next flexible job now