Periodically updating
and having a resume ready or nearly ready to use at any given circumstance is a
good idea in the current economic climate. My own thinking is that people
should always be at least passively looking for a job regardless of their
situation; and by passive, I mean simply keeping your ears open, being
receptive to consider opportunities – that’s all, no big deal. I’ve written
other blog entries that discuss it more fully but, even then, it’s simply a
short blog entry, my book provides more detail. The same goes for references,
don’t wait to be asked for them before you start scrambling one step behind
where you should be; that’s what the zombies do, reacting with no forethought –
and as is their nature, zombies don’t take my advice because it means having to
think one move or more ahead in the chess game of life – they’re having a tough
enough time just playing checkers.
As for when to ask for
references, you do it as opportunity affords rather than after a hiring manager
alerts you to the request. For example, if you are leaving a company or if
someone who is a potential reference is going elsewhere – ask them if they are
willing and would be a reference and get their private contact details. If you
wait you may not be able to locate them, might waste time trying to find them
and the longer span of time the less enthusiastic they may be, and how
confident, as a result, will you feel about presenting such a reference.
Being a bit of an
opportunist should be a factor in your thinking as well. After you’ve gotten a
pat on the back for a job well done, a project concluded or any other event
that puts you in a good light, ask if they would provide you with a reference
for your file. This simple act does not mean you are looking for a job and you
can reasonably suggest you maintain a file of such items. And what if a boss
suspects you may possibly be looking
for a job, or at a minimum keeping your options open – good, all the better. It is possible whomever you ask may put you
off and suggest that if / when the time comes they are happy to be a reference;
that is also a plus, add their name to your go-to list.
I am also a strong believer
in the use of written reference letters because it doesn’t matter if they might
be on vacation or you have to track them down, you’ll have a written reference
in the meantime that may bridge the gap.
The best thing about a written reference is two-fold, it shows someone
thought enough about you to produce a written statement on your behalf and the
second reason –you know what they
will say about you. But this subject also, regarding the value and use of
written references, is also the topic of another past blog in the archives
listed on the blog site.
My biggest task,
generally speaking, is to break the bad habit of people thinking they can sit
back, do nothing and when they need a job succumb to the false premise that all
you need to do is send a few resumes and voila, you have a great new job. It doesn’t work that way. Not planning
ahead is the biggest reason people find themselves freaked out because they have
said to themselves “I’ll do it later”. I suppose that from a business
perspective I am urging people to acquire and develop some professional survival
skills. If the word survival is a
little strident for you, use the term adaptable.
Surely you’ve heard of Preppers, or at least the term; those
who accumulate and prepare things in order to be ready in the case of a
hurricane, a prolonged power outage or any number of contingencies. Well, the
global economy and subsequent jobs market is more erratic than ever and I am
suggesting you adopt just such a mindset regarding your career readiness and,
if need be, your career survival. I don’t have much pity for those who know
they should do something in order to better provide for themselves; the means
and info to take advantage is there for them and they do nothing, lazily
awaiting something or someone else to do it for them.
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