It's not easy to focus on finding a new opportunity when you're busy with your current position. Nevertheless, it's vital to find a good balance between the two because no one can afford NOT to run a permanent, proactive job search.

This goes hand-in-hand with the advice offered by recruiter Karen Pinkman in a recent column: "Senior-level job seekers have to view themselves as 'Me Inc.' The best way to get noticed ... is to become a visible presence."

Establishing yourself as a permanent "presence" is the best way to ensure satisfying employment. Although following these 10 steps should make a difference to those who are actively searching, I do hope you'll also take these points to heart once you find that next role.

1) Establish a work-related Web presence -- either a blog or a regular Web site. Whatever you choose, it's important to create a professional image online, as many recruiters now research candidates on the Web. And, unless you're an expert designer, don't try to design your own Web site -- hire someone to do it for you. A poorly designed Web site is worse than not having one at all. Blogs are much easier to design, but beware -- a blog that is rarely updated is just as harmful to your reputation as a poorly designed site.

2) Don't wait until a great opportunity presents itself to update your resume -- do it every 6-9 months. And please, please, please, work with a professional on your resume. Since you wouldn't perform your own dental surgery, don't try to prepare your own marketing materials!

3) Start an accomplishment notebook. Each time you complete a project or achieve a success, write down the challenge you faced, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. Then, when it comes time to update your resume, you won't be wracking your brains for important details.

4) Don't let your subscriptions to career newsletters and/or blogs run out after you find a new job. Stay current with the latest job search techniques and review job listings regularly. Just as athletes stay in shape during the off-season, you should keep abreast of what's going on even when you're happy in your present role.

5) Audit your network. Take the time to go through your contacts and organize them, either in an address book, Excel spreadsheet, database or contact management program like Outlook or Act!

6) Once you've updated your network, get in touch. This is the ideal time to reach out because you don't need anything. Send a friendly note or make a quick call to enquire after a person's health, family or well-being. Once you're in contact again, maintain it in a thoughtful way. For example, if you see an article that might interest someone, send them a quick email with a link, or drop a copy of the article in an envelope with a short note. Also, keep track of your conversations to stay on top of your networking efforts.

7) Seek out opportunities to help others. It's only natural for people to want to help those who've shown them kindness. If someone asks for help, look at it as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for future return favors.

8) Raise your industry or functional profile. Look for conferences in your field and submit speaking proposals. If you're a good writer, contact industry-related web publications and offer to write articles. This will raise your profile, especially if someone searches for you online.

9) Don't forget online networking -- join a few select message boards related to your profession. This gives you an opportunity to help others while allowing you to network with people too far away to meet in person.

10) Make sure all recruiters in your field or industry have an updated version of your resume and know where to find you. Also let them know that you can be a good source of referrals. If you help them locate strong candidates, they're more likely to remember you when the next great opportunity comes along.

If you're currently looking for a job, you're probably doing some of these things and you should be doing all of them. But when you find your next job, don't let them slide. Think proactively about your career advancement and make it a part of your everyday work life.