Often I hear folks say, “I’m not looking right now. When I’m ready, I’ll start looking.” There’s a significant flaw in that strategy…

If you are talented, the likelihood is that when you are ready to look, you will find a good job. The problem is one of timing. Your choices will be only the positions that are available at that particular time. You may get the best job possible, but is it the best job for you? Probably not, because the odds that your desire to look for a new job and the ideal job becoming available happen at the same time are infinitesimally small. You may decide to explore new opportunities in the fall; but if the ideal job is available today, it will be long gone by fall.

My suggestion to candidates that aren’t looking is to be “on the lookout”, be open to communications because the “right thing” may be right there. Looking is an active process: networking, contacting companies, recruiters, exploring websites, etc. Being on the lookout is passive but productive; taking calls/emails from recruiters or companies, looking at an opportunity a friend tells you about, etc. If a great job comes to your attention, you can look, listen and learn, then decide whether or not to pursue it. But if you close yourself off to opportunities because you are not in the market, you may be missing out on the role that is ideal for you, for your career and your financial success.

Think of how you met your special someone. Were you not dating or going out because you weren’t looking? Were you ignoring phone calls, parties, trips to the museum, etc.? Or were you open to relationships, not with the intention of getting married, but knowing that the right person could come along when you least expect it? That sort of attitude should pertain to managing your career. You don’t need to be in search mode to find the right job. But if it finds its way to you, what you do with it (listen and learn or delete and ignore) is what can make all the difference.

You may not be ready to get married just yet, but if you wait until you’re “ready”, you may have missed out on the meeting the right person. Keep an open mind, and keep the lines of communication open. View calls from friends, recruiters and companies as an opportunity, not a distraction.