The increasing role and responsibility of the job seeker in the decade ahead.

The role of the job seeker is changing in Europe and across the pond. Executives take heed, as you can no longer wait by the telephone in the hope to be contacted by a head hunter. If you have not already done so, in the months to come you will have to take greater control of your own career. This article will explore the increasing role and responsibility that you, the executive, will face in managing your career in the decade ahead.

Today, you have greater responsibility in handling your own career than ever before. This is due to a number of factors, not least of which the economy with its widespread ''redundancies'' and shrinking job market has some effect, however, it is the Internet and the availability of constant communication and information that has the most impact. One cannot underplay the importance of the Internet for the job seeker, information, both subjective and objective, is available at the click of a mouse. The relaxation of etiquette and introductions juxtaposed with cheap, accurate, easily available information is fuelling the change in executive recruitment behaviour.

In the recent past, head hunters use to manage, and in some cases still do, the careers of top senior executives. Five years ago these executives would have had ëblind faithí in the advice given by their consultants. This is no longer the case. We live in a world of open communication and less formality whereby when an executive is told about a potential new job, it is common practice to pick up the telephone to friends, and friends of friends, to gather as much information as possible on the new potential place of work. Through the Internet, one is able to research further the ins and outs of a potential new job thus providing a new take on the company.

The Internet is in 42% of homes in the UK, and unlike magazines and newspapers, anyone can have access to the information published on it. This information is speedy and readily available has been most popular in career search and recruitment. Although, at mass market level the on-line recruitment industry has been tarnished with ''poor executive care''. This is no different to traditional recruitment where ëlooking after executivesí feeling vulnerable is an almighty task, no matter whom you are.

Job seekers themselves are more proactive. Times in the U.K. are changing and a greater onus is being placed on executives to manage their own careers. In the age of globalisation and free exchange of information, executives can no longer plead ignorance regarding their career development. No matter how good you are at your job there is always room for improvement. Online jobsites will, in the future, become more like clubs run by executives themselves. We will see more services tailored to suit their needs in the form of networking events, career coaching and lifestyle managers. ëExecutive clubsí will be viewed as de rigueur much like one joins a sports clubs or a university alumni group.

In the next decade as senior jobs become scarcer to find, senior executives themselves will take their career development into your own hands. Greater responsibility will be placed on them to use, process and file all the information that is at your fingertips from the Internet.

Raya Mamarbachi
Email: raya@goldjobs.com

Figure published by Oftel February 4th 2003