Should You Interview, Even If You’re Not Looking?

You’re feeling comfortable in your current job. You are make a decent living, and if the work is “ok” and maybe your boss is tolerable, it can be easy to get complacent. Why rock the boat, right?

Until one day, things change.

Your perfect world reveals itself to be not so perfect.  Maybe there is a change in upper management, an annoying new co-worker or at worst: a layoff.

When big things happen against our will, we often wish that we could have known in advance to prepare.  No one knows what the future holds accept the absolute fact that things always change.

When it comes to our careers most of us play offense.  We work hard, we aim to achieve.  But one should never forget that we also need to play some career defense at times.

Going on job interviews-when things are going relatively well- is a productive form of career defense.

When a career opportunity presents itself, jump.  Take a shot.  Someone wants to meet you?

Take the meeting.  Why?

If you’re not constantly striving for new challenges then what are you really doing?  Don’t you owe it to yourself to know what else is out there?  You might find out that your job no longer fits.

Or maybe you want to put some zing back in to your career and your life.  There is something to be said about being invited to go on an interview.  It feels good to feel valued.

The best time to interview is when you do not have to.  Because after all, what is the risk? If you are already employed and you have cash flow you are already ahead of the game.

The flips side is staying put and waiting for the potential shoe to drop.  Do you think that it can’t happen to you?  Don’t be delusional.   .

When things change, they change again.   For that reason alone, give yourself permission and go on an interview and see what else is out there.  This is a very healthy career strategy for 5 reasons:

  1. By interviewing, you just might discover something that never even occurred to you before, such as a fresh new way to look at your career.
  2. You might meet someone that gives you a fresh idea that you hadn’t even considered.
  3. You can learn what the competition is doing and find out if your compensation is in line with the market place.
  4. It’s great for your ego! It doesn’t mean that you have to accept a new job, but if feels so nice to be wanted. Feeling good makes for a more fulfilling life.
  5. Interviewing is a great way to validate just how fortunate you are in your present job.  Most people think that the grass is greener somewhere else only to discover that this is a delusion.  After an interview you can truly access if staying put is the best option.

Bernie Reifkind is the CEO and founder of Premier Search, Inc. a nationwide executive search and placement firm.   In addition, Bernie provides career guidance and strategic interviewing techniques to professionals at all levels.

P: 1 (310) 247-8900  or email at ceo@premiersearch.com.