Career Insurance: It’s not too late to sign up for a policy, and the best part is, it’s free.

The idea behind what I like to call Career Insurance is simple: you wouldn’t get behind the wheel of your car without coverage, so why treat something as important as your career with any less vigilance? Interview before you need a job, because unless you are 12 months away from retirement, business relationships, company culture, leadership or your own personal goals could change at any time.

1) Develop a contingency plan. No matter how much you may love your boss, if you are a business owner with a business partner, or are content with your compensation—and let’s face it, does this really describe anyone? You should always have a contingency plan. Know the top three companies that you would go to work for tomorrow, should something change in your situation. Second, have a relationship with a recruiter you trust. Third, stay open to exploratory discussions with companies.

2) Do your research. Once you've decided to interview with a company, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. Know as much about the company as possible: devour the company’s news page on its website. Familiarize yourself with the bios of the people who you will interview with, and come up with three questions to ask each of your interviewers based on what they’ve elected to share.

3) Be prepared for the “behavioral style” interview. A good interviewer knows how to extract information to help decide whether or not you're a good fit. This person might begin the interview starting back as far as your college days, ask how you got into the business, and work through each of your positions. Interviewers are looking for behavioral patterns on how you make decisions, what drives you, inspires you, how well you work with others and your attitude towards leadership. If you're a new career professional, plan to discuss how you spent your time in college and high school. Be prepared to share your story.

4) Accomplishments & Metrics. List your accomplishments on your resume and also bullet point or call out one or two of your top achievements from each position you have listed. Whether you’re an Administrative Assistant, Managing Director or a Salesperson, always know your metrics and how you get there each year.

5) Interview the company. Working at an organization is a two-way street. The company may be interviewing you, but it’s just as important that you interview the company to ensure the fit is right on both sides. Find out what its five-year strategy looks like. Ask questions about the culture, tenure, leadership and expectations. Studies show that the biggest contributor to job-hopping is not knowing enough about the company, position, objectives and leadership before making a decision to accept an offer.

Finally, don't be afraid to purse your most ideal situation. A smart company never manages its hiring needs by "job requisition." We do not wait until we have an opening to hire the most talented people we can find. I am looking for my next superstar every single day, even for positions that are not posted. In the same way, if you find a company that you want to work for, do not be afraid to pick up the phone and call them. I can guarantee that if you are accomplished in your field, most people will meet with you. Smart companies know that top talent is a finite resource.