Theres a higher probability that executives will change employers multiple times during their career than the probability theyll remain with only one organization their entire career. Sometimes its by choice, but, unfortunately, its often because of a number of factors outside of their control.

Therefore, the prudent executive understands the importance of preparing for their next career move while they are currently employed. Executives who fail to utilize a portion of their time to position themselves for their next job search make a serious career mistake. Dont think of your job as your career. Your job may be the most important stepping-stone for your career, but its not your career.

While youre employed, put these professional activities on your to-do list:

Continue your education

What a tragedy it is that many executives spend a concentrated period of time in academic studyand then focus only on the job at hand. A number of self-improvement courses and formal academic programs are available to professionals. If youre not interested in those, listen to some of the great speeches available on YouTube. Listen to Simon Sinek, Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, or John C. Maxwell. Some of the best speeches and advice ever given are free to anyone taking the time to download them and listen.

Even if you dont intend to complete another degree, consider taking courses that will strengthen your abilities in finance, economics, human resources, or some other subject where youre lacking expertise. Make it a priority to find programs and seminars that will benefit you the most. Often, your current employer may pay for part or all of the expense of such programs.

Participate in professional associations

There are regional, state, and national associations for almost every profession. All offer opportunities to meet others within your field or industry. Participate toward honing your leadership skills. Its not enough to just attend association gatherings. Seek leadership positions within the organization. One way to ensure that happens is to volunteer for jobs no one else wants to do.

Perfect your communication skills

Of the thousands of executives Ive known, there is only a handful who couldnt improve their speaking skills. The rest of us are just a work in progress. And, more often than not, the writing skills of these same executives leave something to be desired as well. In perfecting your speaking skills, the most important factor is practice. Teaching at a nearby college or university where you are presenting to students can be a great learning experience, and it can look good on a rsum.

If you cant teach a course, at least seek professional speaking engagements. Appearing before an audience of professional peers and delivering an effective presentation is one of the most challenging things you can do. To perfect your writing skills, write articles and books. The best advice that can be given in this regard is to simply begin. It takes time, but it enables you to develop an in-depth expertise in a field. And in doing so, you gain exposure to colleagues in the field, which enhances your networking capabilities.

Maintain a job search folder

Keep the folder at home and include information youll need for your next job search. At a minimum, the folder should include copies of your one-page, two-page, and multiple-page rsums. And those rsums should be updated every four to six months. Also include the names and addresses of employer prospects you might want to contact regarding a career move, and also the contact information for appropriate executive recruiters and recruiting firms.

Add to the file any information or clippings youve saved about anyone youre thinking of contacting. If your organization has used an outplacement firm in the past, learn as much information as you can about that firm in case you find yourself forced to use it because of a termination.

Part 2 of this article will address two other important issues in preparing for your future career move or advancement.

Terence Moore, former president of MidMichigan Health and co-editor of The Health Care Executive Search: A Guide to Recruiting and Job Seeking, authored this column as a part of a monthly series focusing on career survival and advancement for the Daily News. He may be contacted at tfm43@speednetllc.com

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Strategies for career survival and advancement: What to do between job searches (Part 1) - Midland Daily News