You Should Interview Every 6 Months — Even if You Aren’t Actively Looking
Your worth, skills, and network depend on it.
Even if you aren’t actively looking, don’t stop interviewing. It’s one of the best ways to keep your resume fresh and stay in touch with what is happening in your industry. Plus, nothing helps prepare for a job interview like a different job interview.
It’s no secret that the job market is tough. If you’re lucky enough to have a job, you’re probably doing everything you can to hold on to it. But what if you’re not even looking for a new job? You still need to interview regularly.
Here are four reasons why:
- It helps to build your network
- Interviewing is a skill that takes practice.
- Interviewing helps you know what you’re worth in your current position
- Interviewing regularly makes sure that your resume (and skills) are always up to date
Wait, but interviewing for a job I don’t want could burn that bridge?
So long as you behave professionally throughout the process, interviewing regularly should not have negative effects.
- Folks turn down jobs offers or decide to remove themself from the application process regularly for a ton of reasons.
- Make sure not to let the company know if you’re no longer interested in the interview, ghosting has become a major issue for recruiters and HR.
- If you’re working with a recruiter, do let them know that while you’re interested in new opportunities, you’re not sure if you’re ready to move jobs just yet.
Interviewing regularly will build your network
Building your network is one of the most important things you can do for your career. The more people you know, the more opportunities will come your way.
By interviewing regularly, you’ll build connections with recruiters and others in your field. You may not need that recruiter’s contact information now, but we don’t know what the future holds.
A larger professional network is helpful for future opportunities beyond changing jobs. It could lead to invitations to conferences, or allow you to help a friend find a new position.
Interviewing is a skill that takes practice.
Interviewing requires a number of hard and soft skills, especially if you’re in the technology field.
By interviewing regularly, you’re making sure that you’re ready and prepared for the opportunities that you care about the most.
Many interviews ask questions that aren’t actually part of the day-to-day duties, such as, “reverse this binary tree” for a job that will mainly handle HTML. Even if you understand the topic, being able to answer in a clear and concise way, can be tough.
Like any skill, interviewing gets easier with practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. By interviewing regularly, even if you’re not actively looking for a new job, you’ll be building your skills and making yourself more prepared for when you do need to interview.
Interviewing helps you know what you’re worth in your current position
Your salary is one of the most important aspects of your job. It’s important to know what you’re worth in the market so that you can negotiate for the salary you deserve. By interviewing regularly, you’ll stay up to date on your skills and value, and be in a better position to negotiate for a raise at your current company.
Interviewing regularly makes sure that your resume (and skills) are always up to date
By applying for jobs, you’ll see trends in what companies are looking for in your industry. Skills, certifications, or terms become trendy in fields. It’s better to know that you’ll need a certification before your looking for an immediate job.
Your resume is one of the most important tools you have for finding a new job. It’s important to keep it up to date so that you can be ready to take advantage of new opportunities as they come along. By interviewing regularly, even if you’re not actively looking for a job, you’ll be sure to keep your resume (and skills) are up to date.
Conclusion
Interviewing regularly is one of the best things you can do for your career. It helps to build your network, make sure your skills are up to date, and gives you a better understanding of what you’re worth in the current market. Not only that, but it also keeps your resume updated so that you’re ready to take advantage of new opportunities when they come along.
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