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Once you've made the mental leap to look into and pursue a job change, you need to make sure your recruiter thinks of you when that next opportunity comes along.

By Todd Moore

It's common to hear people remark that opportunities abound when they're not interested in making a move, but that when they actually begin a search, the choices are limited or not present at all. Sometimes a job change comes easily and when you least expect it. But when that's not the case, you need to have a plan to make sure your name pops up when your recruiter is deciding which potential applicants to call.

Make a quality decision

There are a variety of ways to put the word out that you're willing to look around. The very first thing you should do is make a conscious decision about the level of quality you want your job search to have. If you want everyone under the sun to know you're looking for a job and you're willing to entertain anything that lands on your desk, the answer is fairly easy: Plaster your resume anywhere and everywhere you can. Just by the law of averages and today's job market, you're guaranteed to garner some interest. There are plenty of entry-level recruiters, classifieds and Internet sites available to help with your efforts.

Your other option is to work on a targeted search with a few select recruiters that specialize in your industry and job niche. If you decide to go this route, the issue becomes how to find and work with the recruiter that's right for you.

Do your due diligence

Putting your resume in the hands of a recruiter who doesn't work in or understand your industry is useless. Just like you'd find the right mechanic for a valuable car, you need to find the right recruiter for your career. Ask around. Search the Internet and read publications you respect. Realize that your choice of recruiters will most likely have a direct impact on something very important to you and your family: Your career. If you're not willing to search out the right recruiter, you'll miss the first step to an efficient job search.

Network with friends and coworkers

Obviously you'll want any potential job move to be kept confidential, but it can be imperative that trusted friends and coworkers at least have an inkling that you're willing to hear about opportunities that are out there. Not only do recruiters rely on valuable referrals from candidates they have relationships with (which may lead to you), but your coworkers will most likely be able to lead you to a recruiters they respect. If the people you trust don't even know you're looking, they will be reluctant to pass your name along to a recruiter who is looking for a referral and stop a call that you could be hoping for.

Network when you don't need to

While there are plenty of entry-level recruiters that rely on people to send them resumes to build databases of candidates, respected search firms still do what their name implies: They search the industry. That's why you may get a call out of the blue even when you're not looking to make a move. Although you may not want to make a job change when you take that call, realize that the recruiter who's calling may be a valuable resource to you in the future. If you treat him or her with courteous professionalism, that recruiter will keep your information on file and remember you as someone he or she would like to work with in the future. If you take a couple minutes out of your day to network with the recruiters that call, you'll have a solid foundation (and a valuable Rolodex) for the day you decide to begin that next job search.

About the author…
Todd Moore is a principal with ExecuMED, a national executive search firm that specializes in the medical device industry. Experienced in executive searches focused on the regional, director and VP level, Todd works with a variety of companies from pre-IPO startups to Fortune 500 firms. He can be reached at 1519 East First Avenue, Chico, CA 95926. Phone: 530-898-9019; fax: 530-898-8789; e-mail: Todd@ExecuMED.net. Or visit ExecuMED's employer spotlight on Medical Design Online.