Tell people you are looking for a job

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

EP 3120 What are you doing? Keep it a secret?

Timestamp

• 00:00 – The stress of the “To tell or not to tell” dilemma.
• 00:38 – Why the traditional idea of ​​“quiet” search is built on myth.
• 01:02 – Recruiter Myths: Why Staying Silent Is Self-Sabotage.
• 01:49 – Confidential searches are costly.
• 02:02 – The 85% statistic: where the real work hides.
• 02:18 – Smart Scripting: How to announce your search without sounding needy.
• 03:02 – Your Secret Weapon: How to Handle Unexpected Recruiter Calls.
• 04:08 – Move from “hunting” to “setting magnets”.

Well, let’s talk about the things that honestly stress everyone out when they’re considering a career change. Should you tell people you’re looking for a new job? Or should it be kept a secret? It turns out that one of these choices can completely derail your search before you even start it. So you’re officially on the hunt.

The big question is, do you keep it completely secret? If you’re a little hesitant about the answer, hey, you’re not alone. This is a classic dilemma. But it turns out there’s a surprisingly clear answer.

Yes, that’s what we call the job seeker’s dilemma. See, there are basically two ways people think about this, but one of them, it can seriously hinder you. You know, a lot of people think it’s wise to keep a low profile when looking for a job.

The idea is that it gives you some sort of advantage. But honestly, the whole idea is based on a myth. A big one.

We’re about to break it. So why do people stay so quiet in the first place? Well, it usually comes down to a huge fear. We call it the Recruiter Myth because it’s a huge misconception.

This is the myth. There’s an old-school thought that recruiters don’t like candidates who are actively looking for a new job. It’s this weird belief that if you’re in the market, you must be, I don’t know, less valuable, kind of like you’re on the clearance rack.

Modern job hunting

The thinking is that the real rewards are those who have to be hunted down and persuaded to leave their current jobs, not those who send out resumes. Okay, let’s cut to the chase. The source material for this is pretty straightforward.

It calls this thinking faulty thinking. It wasn’t just, oh, that was a slight misjudgment. No, this is a huge self-sabotaging mistake that will cost you huge amounts of time.

So what is this huge opportunity that you’re missing out on by staying silent? Well, it’s all about using the most powerful tool in your career toolbox. Think about it. When you decide to keep your job search secret, you’re essentially ignoring your number one source of new jobs.

It’s like going to a Formula 1 race and deciding to keep the fastest car in the garage. This makes no sense. Well, get ready for that number, because it’s a big one.

As much as 85% of all jobs are filled online. So that you understand this. By keeping quiet, you essentially can’t see where almost all the activity is taking place.

Okay, so the point is you have to tell people. But wait, how do you tell them, that’s the whole game. You don’t want to come across as desperate, right? You need to be strategic, and that’s where smart scripts come in.

So check it out. This is a very simple but powerful language trick. Instead of telling your friends or coworkers, hey, I’m looking for a job, that sounds a little needy, you say this, hey, just to let you know that I’m starting to be open to other things.

See that transformation? It’s huge. One sounds like you’re asking for a handout, the other sounds like you’re a valuable asset considering their options. Okay, but what happens when a recruiter calls you out of the blue, right? This may take you out of the game.

Build your referral community

How do you handle this call without immediately giving up all power? Next line. This is your secret weapon. You should memorize it literally.

When they ask you if you’re looking, you say, actually, I’m not actively looking. You reached out to me, but I’m here to listen. Prosperity.

In an instant, the entire tone of the conversation changed. Let’s break down why it’s so great. First, you immediately correct their assumptions.

No, don’t look. Second, you subtly remind them who is calling whom. They come to you.

This changes power. Finally, you position yourself as the prize. You’re not just looking for any old job.

You feel good about where you are and they have to work hard to impress you. See, it’s not just about having some clever lines in your sleeves. These small strategies are actually part of a bigger, smarter way of thinking about your entire career.

Because at the end of the day, true career success is more than just hunkering down at a desk. This means always being alert to new opportunities. When you tell your network that you’re open to other things, you’re not just sending out a resume.

You are building a team that will take care of you and bring opportunity to your doorstep. You are not hunting. You are setting up a magnet.

So let’s finish here. You now know that the myth about remaining silent is just a myth. You know 85% of jobs are hidden in plain sight.

You already have the script. You’ve got the strategy. So the real question is, what is your next move?

Develop your LinkedIn mission statement

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