Recruiting networks that I’m connected to are continually communicating with one another about how to find A-Players (aka: passive job seekers). These candidates are what make recruiters coo and they go to great lengths to find them. Why? Because these individuals are currently performing functions that recruiters are trying to fill. It’s a slam-dunk, so to speak. But, wait a minute you say…you’re out of work, currently, perhaps due to a RIF or maybe even on your own accord. In any case, you are an active job seeker and would like to have the opportunity to be viewed along with the passive job seeker. How can you do this? One way is by increasing your online presence. Having your own link online is a good way to begin directing your career. It allows you to develop a portfolio of your experience that you can make available 24/7 to recruiters, employers, or whomever you wish.

LinkedIn is a great way to begin, if you don’t already have a profile with them it is a good idea to get one. The next area you should look into is creating a video resume (aka: video introduction) and having your own portfolio link – see this sample. This is a great way to provide others with information about your experience and what they can expect of you in the work environment. It’s a terrific icebreaker and is easy to maintain on an ongoing basis. You can place your ‘link’ on LinkedIn and/or provide it to whomever you wish at anytime.

Taking these steps to increase your online presence will enable you to claim a spot in the passive job seeker arena and not only be looked at when you send a paper resume in response to an open position (active job seeking). Having a perpetual online presence allows you to use your link in your email messaging, place your link on your business card, provide your link when networking and/or have a friend pass your link along to his/her manager – you get the idea here – it’s much more powerful than a paper resume in a viral kind of way. That way you’re not scurrying around with your resume trying to get people to pay attention to it, or worse, sending it into a resume database…ugh! We all know where that gets us. Although your video resume and portfolio will not and should not replace your paper resume, establishing your online presence is a definite way to improve your visibility and join the forces of the passive job seeker - ah…it’s good to be the caviar

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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