Here's what to do if you're approached about a job you haven't applied for

Maybe you’re not looking for work. But what if it came looking for you?

Whether you’re actively looking for work or just keeping your options open, your SEEK profile is one way of being silently open to job possibilities. Reputable employers can search through profiles to find people with the skills and experience they’re looking to hire – a handy feature when you might have missed a job ad, or put off applying.

Creating a SEEK profile to make your job search easier and get employer attention isn’t just reserved to people in IT or other industries – it’s for everyone.

As Katrina Peden, part of the HR Talent Acquisition team at Coles explains, “everyone can benefit from being contacted about job possibilities through SEEK profile, as all major industries and companies are using the tool.”

As Katrina Peden, part of the HR Talent Acquisition team at Coles explains, “everyone can benefit from being contacted about job possibilities through SEEK profile, as all major industries and companies are using the tool.”

• What to do if someone contacts you with a job opportunity. Katrina Peden says if an employer contacts you about a job opportunity, “It’s best to always respond,” no matter your level of interest.
  
  “If you’re not interested, politely decline the opportunity and always recommend someone else for the role if you do have any friends or colleagues that would be interested and suitable for the opportunity,” she suggests. That way it benefits everyone involved, and also helps to build your network and credibility.
  
  But, as Peden says, “if you are interested in finding out more; suggest some times you are available to have a chat.”
   
• Why you should have that conversation. There’s always a temptation to ignore a job opportunity if it doesn’t completely mirror the work you currently do. But skills are often transferrable between jobs.
  
  While you might doubt your ability to do the job, employers don’t, and the conversation isn’t about automatically jumping into a new job, its’ just a conversation to learn more about the opportunity and whether it’s right for you.
  
  Peden agrees. “Finding out more is just that, it’s about having a discussion to find out if the role could meet your expectations, provide a new challenge or be the stepping stone into the role you have always wanted.”
  
  As it is, “just because you look further into a role, it doesn’t mean you’re obliged to go through an interview process,” Peden explains.
   
• How to have a reverse-interview. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - it’s not about just finding a job, it’s about finding the best job for you. So before a prospective employer tries to interview you, jump up and interview them!
  
  Ask yourself; what makes the best job and working environment? Can the company in question provide that?
  
  Feel free to bust out the big one – where does the company see themselves in five years? The answer will not only surprise you but it will give you a great idea if this is an organisation you want to join.
   
• Next steps. If you’re interested in the opportunity, you can grant the employer more access to view your work history or schedule a time to have a conversation.
  
  With a SEEK profile, you also have complete control over what employers see, and know that the employers contacting you are genuine. SEEK only allows access to trusted employers because all you need to focus on is finding that next great opportunity.
  
  So take a chance – you never know what’s out there.