Click here for a full transcript of the episode.

In episode 3 of “The JoyPowered Workspace Podcast,” JoDee and Susan discuss the six steps you should follow for a successful job search. They also give employers some tips on keeping their employees from wanting to leave and explain why you should always be “job change ready.” This month’s listener mail focuses on whether prospective employers frown on candidates looking for new jobs while they’re still working for another company.

According to Gallup, Americans are optimistic about their ability to find a good job, due to the strong economy and open positions at their companies. This means candidates are more plentiful, but your employees may be looking for other jobs, so it’s important to have stay interviews, offer competitive salaries and benefits, and generally look out for your team. We often don’t think about talking to our current employees about what they like, how they’re using their strengths, and what plans and goals they have, but it can help increase their enthusiasm, and it’s great for telling candidates why it’s great to work for you.

Competition is fierce in the current job market, and you should always be “job change ready;” looking at other jobs means you either find something better or appreciate where you’re at, and when you’re ready for a job search at any time, you’re not as vulnerable.

There are six major steps to look for a job:

1. Get your resume ready
   Have a short, simple, easy to read resume and beef up your LinkedIn profile.
2. Write and practice your elevator pitch
   Recruiters will definitely ask you to tell them about you, so make sure you have a good answer. It should be a short description of who you are, three things you’re good at, any credentials you have, and why you’re talking to the recruiter.
3. Apply to jobs and use your network
   The two best places to apply for jobs are LinkedIn and Indeed, but there are also more specific job boards for individual industries and areas. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a new position, and make sure you apply BEFORE they put in a good word.
4. Prepare for an interview
   Think about examples for skills you might need for the position, three or four key moments in your career, and your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses (don’t say you care too much or work too hard).
5. Close the deal
   Send a thank you email, and check in regularly. Don’t panic when you haven’t heard, it often takes much longer for recruiters to decide than you would think.
6. Negotiate the offer
   Understand the market value of the position and listen to episode 2 for other tips on negotiating salary. If you get turned down, it doesn’t always mean you did something wrong or the relationship with the recruiter is over; don’t burn bridges.

In this episode’s listener mail, Peg in Indianapolis asks if it looks bad to other employers that you’re job hunting while still employed. JoDee and Susan also mention the potential FLSA rulings regarding minimum pay to be considered exempt.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Purple Ink, the HR consulting firm JoDee owns
• Susan Tinder White Consulting, the HR consulting firm Susan owns
• JoyPowered, JoDee’s book
• “Majority in US Now Optimistic About Job Market”, which includes Gallup statistics regarding Americans’ optimism about the availability of good jobs
• StrengthsFinder, an assessment JoDee and Susan promote
• LinkedIn, one of the top two places JoDee and Susan suggest for applying to jobs
• Indeed, one of the top two places JoDee and Susan suggest for applying to jobs
• Dice, a great place to look for jobs in IT
• The Ladders, a great place to look for executive positions
• WorkHere, a location-based job search app in Central Indiana