Many young professionals are engaging in a trend called “soft job searching” where they casually explore job opportunities even if they’re satisfied with their current positions. A recent article highlights this trend, explaining that young people are increasingly registering on job sites to understand their market value, even though they might not have immediate plans to leave their current jobs.
Career counselor Ayane Shichino identifies several reasons for this trend, including the decline of lifelong employment, a decrease in strong company loyalty, and the ease of accessing job information via smartphones.
The benefits of “soft job searching” include risk diversification and preventing missed opportunities. By staying informed about the job market, individuals can be prepared for unexpected changes like company downturns or layoffs and possibly uncover places where their skills are more valued.
However, employers often view this behavior negatively, fearing that employees might leave for better offers despite investments in their recruitment and development. To counteract this, companies are focusing on increasing employee engagement and offering more career development opportunities internally to retain talent.
Shichino advises that while “soft job searching” can be a smart career strategy for individuals, it’s vital to recognize that it may be perceived negatively by employers.
by MagazineKey4532