Today’s Tip: best time to job search

The average job search takes 4-6 months. This number escalates if the job searcher is ill-prepared. Whether you are currently working or not you need to be ready. Most jobs don’t last forever and as the late John Wooden said, “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” This is so true when it comes to job searching.

The number of unemployed people in the U.S. has remained high since 2007. Experts predict the number to decline but at a slow rate. Workers are still getting laid off and unemployed people are having difficulty finding new jobs.

However, don’t let the tough economy scare you into staying put in a shock-like state. Even though people are worried of getting laid off, they don’t put adequate effort in preparing for such a scenario.

Just because you have a job doesn’t mean you can’t look for a new and sometimes better job. In fact, I believe the best time to job search is when you have a job. You can still make your full salary and maintain your benefits all while looking for a job that may be a better fit for you.

While you are working you should get these things in order:

• Update your resume and references and keep track of your work accomplishments.
• Organize your professional portfolio.
• Enhance your LinkedIn page.
• Brainstorm the types of jobs you want, including where and when.
• Create a game plan and strategies for how you will conduct your job search.

If you start preparing now, while you are working, you won’t be caught off guard. You will be ahead of the game. You will also be prepared to apply for a new job that you may like better (or sturdier) then the one you have now. Don’t lose out on an opportunity for the job you want because you didn’t put the time and effort in while you were working.