Why Timing is Critical To Getting That Job

Now, it's logical to think that the best time to start job hunting is when you've decided to quit your current job... and definitely after you've ALREADY quit, or been given your marching orders. But in terms of getting the best possible job for YOU, the best time to start looking is in neither circumstance.

Indeed, the best time for you to look for a job is when the organization you want to work for has decided it needs to employ someone for the job you want.

Let me also that we're not talking about the time period during which the organization you want to work for is actively looking for potential employees. The time we're talking about happens before that - it's at the instant that the relevant decision makers have agreed to hire someone.

And just why is this the best time for YOU to start looking for a job? Because if you're "there" when the company has decided it needs to hire... and you have all the experience, qualifications and skills its looking for, then (except for any regulatory or political requirements to advertise the job) you're the one its likely to hire! The only reasons why the organization wouldn't hire you would probably relate to the remuneration you ask for or for corporate political reasons outside your control.

But, of course, if you've researched the organization and prepared yourself for the role... presumably you would only present yourself for the job if you understood the lay of the political land and knew what salary range would likely be accepted.

Having said all this, you still need to be "in the right place at the right time", don't you? So how do you accomplish that... when the organization isn't advertising the job? (And how do you know whether or not you want to work for that organization anyway?

Well, I'll be honest, this is where you will have to roll up your sleeves and do a little work. Nothing hard - but some decision making, research and a little networking. And the first step is to identify which companies you'd like employment with.

As an example, if you wanted to learn all about the software industry and to develop your project management skills, you'd locate all the software makers that you could see yourself working for.

Next, you would do as much research as you can on each of the firms you've identified, taking into account both their internal and external environments. You would also place yourself in situations where you could meet people who worked at those companies - perhaps by attending industry events or being introduced by someone you know who knows someone who knows someone... you get the idea! The idea is to get to know the people within the company, so that they get to know YOU... and will keep you in mind when a position comes up.

Now that you're as "in the know" as you can possibly be, your job is to (1) keep your ears to the ground, (2) think, and (3) act! In other words, if you learn that the company is thinking of bringing out a major new product - think about the implications of that. Does that mean that they'll need more project managers to help with the launch? If so, get on the phone to your contact and ask for the chance to present some ideas about how you could help.

You'll need to take the most appropriate action given the circumstances, but the point is - once you've done your research and started some relationships, all you need to do now is keep in touch and be responsive to potential job opportunities.

Although looking for a job when a given organization has decided to hire gives you the best chance of getting the job, it won't always be suitable. It's an approach that may yield a job in a few weeks, months, years or never at all. That's why I suggest you always target more than one company, and in fact, add new targets as your career develops. However, if you need a job ASAP, then it would be risky to rely wholly on this approach... you'd be well advised to take a look at the positions that are being advertised too. Nevertheless, this approach is undoubtedly the most effective in terms of yielding the right job for you.

Get the job you want! Watch Anna's funny and inspiring movie, Career Choices, then download a free chapter of her shocking and controversial ebook, Insider Job Secrets Revealed.