Standout Jobs

The short answer: Yes.

The toughest time to be recruiting is when you realize (often months too late) that you need to bring someone on board, and now, everything will be delayed or hampered because that person’s not already hired.

Liz Lynch at The Stealth Networker Blog notes that job seekers who only network when actively seeking work often have a tough time of it. She points out that active job seekers don’t network as effectively because of a “me-first” attitude and a scent of desperation. You can understand it — they need a job, and being out of work is awful. Some say looking for work is the worst thing in the world.

Her recommendation is simple:

Make networking a priority when you already HAVE a job. You’ll be rid of all scent of desperation and your me-first tendencies. Keep in touch with your contacts when you don’t need anything and they’ll be more likely to be there when you do.

Now turn that around for employers. Companies can also have a “me-first” attitude and come across as desperate when they’re trying to actively hire, and they’re way behind the 8-ball. Companies may also jump the gun, hire the wrong people, because they need to get people in the door.

The solution is simple: Companies should always be recruiting.

Companies should know their hiring plans for an extended period of time. As one person noted, that’s basically your “marketing plan.” With that in-hand, companies should always be scouring around for people. You never know when someone great will pop up on the radar.

If you’re not always looking you will miss potential candidates. And when you finally realize you need to hire someone, it’ll be too late.