Recently, my direct manager asked me, "Why did your LinkedIn status change to 'open to work'?" It’s a fair question, and one that I’d like to address. Every so often, about once a year, I go on what I call an "interview spree." This practice isn’t because I’m actively looking to leave my current role, but rather, it’s designed to help me understand the current job market and assess where I stand within it.

In this blog, I want to explain the reasoning behind this approach and how it can benefit your career as well.

Key Benefits of Interviewing Once a Year

Interviewing once a year, even if you're not actively looking for a new job, can offer several key benefits for your career growth and professional development. Here are some reasons why it’s a good idea:

Market Awareness

The job market is constantly changing, with new roles, skill demands, and salary benchmarks emerging. By interviewing regularly, you get a pulse on these trends. You’ll learn which skills are in demand, what new technologies or methodologies companies are adopting, and what qualifications they value most. This allows you to stay competitive and informed, even if you're content in your current position.

Benchmarking Your Skills

Interviewing helps you gauge how your skills and experiences stack up against industry expectations. It provides insight into where you excel and where there might be gaps. This feedback can guide your ongoing professional development, helping you pursue new certifications, projects, or trainings that enhance your marketability.

Networking Opportunities

Job interviews often allow you to meet and engage with people in your field, expanding your professional network. Even if you don’t take the job, building relationships with interviewers or companies can lead to future opportunities or collaborations down the line.

Confidence Boost

Going through the interview process once a year helps you refine your communication skills and keeps you sharp. It forces you to articulate your achievements, projects, and strengths, which builds confidence in your own abilities. Regular interviewing ensures that you're always ready to talk about your work, whether at an impromptu networking event or during a surprise promotion conversation.

Plan for the Unexpected

Even if you're happy in your current job, things can change—companies restructure, industries shift, or personal situations evolve. Regular interviewing prepares you for the unexpected by keeping you familiar with the process, ensuring that you're never caught off-guard if the need to find a new position arises.

Leverage in Your Current Role

When you're aware of your value in the market, you can use this knowledge in discussions with your current employer. Whether you're negotiating a raise, asking for a promotion, or proposing new responsibilities, knowing what other companies would offer you gives you a stronger bargaining position.

Career Reflection

Interviewing allows you to reflect on your current job satisfaction and career trajectory. It prompts you to consider questions like: Am I growing in my current role? Are there better opportunities elsewhere? Is this the right career path for me? This self-assessment can help you ensure that you're not becoming stagnant and that you're continuously moving toward your career goals.

Discussing Your Interview Practice with Your Manager

Informing your manager about your decision to interview once a year, even if you're not actively seeking to leave, can foster transparency, strengthen your relationship, and even enhance your professional development within the company. Here’s why it’s a good idea:

Builds Trust and Transparency

Being open with your manager about why you're interviewing demonstrates honesty and transparency. When you proactively explain your motivations—such as staying current with market trends or benchmarking your skills—it shows that you’re committed to personal and professional growth. This can prevent any misunderstandings or suspicions about your intentions.

Enhances Communication

Open communication is essential for a healthy employee-manager relationship. By having this conversation, you're showing that you respect your manager enough to keep them informed about your career development efforts. It encourages a two-way dialogue where you can openly discuss your career goals and aspirations within the company, as well as outside opportunities.

May Lead to Internal Growth

By sharing your market exploration with your manager, it may lead to internal career advancement discussions. If your manager knows you’re evaluating your market position, they may offer opportunities for growth within the company, such as additional responsibilities, a new project, or even a promotion. This could help keep you motivated and ensure that your role continues to align with your career goals.

Encourages Skill Development

When you let your manager know you’re interviewing to gauge market expectations and skill demands, they might offer support in helping you bridge any skill gaps. For instance, they could recommend training programs, certifications, or stretch assignments to help you stay competitive, not just for external roles, but within the company as well.

Preempts Concerns

If your manager notices that you’ve changed your LinkedIn status to "open to work" or hears that you’ve been interviewing elsewhere, it could raise concerns about your commitment. Proactively informing them allows you to clarify that you’re not actively looking to leave, but rather participating in interviews as a professional development tool. This preempts any negative assumptions or worries.

Shows Initiative and Ambition

When you discuss your market exploration with your manager, it signals that you’re serious about your career trajectory and personal development. This ambition can be viewed positively, showing that you're someone who takes initiative and constantly seeks to grow and improve, which are qualities most employers value highly.

Adds Value to the Organization

Understanding the market and how your role compares to others in the industry can help you bring fresh insights back to your current job. By discussing this with your manager, you might share information on industry trends or best practices you’ve learned during interviews, adding value to your organization. This can position you as someone who’s not only focused on personal growth but also on contributing to the company's success.

By making interviewing an annual habit, you stay agile, aware, and prepared for whatever your career may bring. It’s not about being disloyal to your current employer; it’s about taking proactive control of your professional development.