You are in the driver’s seat – a Roadmap for Job Seekers (Part II)
Posted by Michal on October 30, 2009 · 7 Comments
More tried-and true tips and advice to inform and inspire you to get your career in gear.
Part I focused on getting started and planning your job search:
Determine your destination: Identify your target industry/jobs.
Prepare your Triptik: Create a plan of action.
Ask for directions: Enlist the help of people you trust and/or career experts to offer feedback and support in planning your job hunt.
Let’s continue the ride ….
Be the best driver you can be
Work hard at your job search and treat the whole process as you would any full time job, allowing 35-40 hours for this endeavor:
- Prepare your daily and weekly “to do list” and mark them on your calendar.
- Be specific and quantify: # of phone calls a day, # of networking meetings per week etc.
- Schedule several breaks during your “work day”.
- Manage your time wisely.
- Develop a system for tracking your activities and always follow up.
- In the absence of a work team, conduct your own “office meeting” to assess your progress, reflect, identify challenges, and perform tune up as needed.
- Create your “board of directors” – a network of people you trust. (See below regarding “support”).
- Pay yourself a bonus; Reward yourself for your hard work.
Take side streets
Maneuver your job search strategically and creatively to avoid those dreaded traffic jams. After all, “All roads lead to Rome”. Concentrate on the hidden job market but employ a variety of traditional methods as well. It is a “numbers game”. (A word of caution: Do not confuse activity with productivity).
Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.
Like many job seekers facing rocky roads, you may experience feelings which run the gamut of rejection or failure, shame, loss of self esteem, confusion, powerlessness, hopelessness, anger, depression and tremendous stress. While these are understandable, it is essential that you avoid coming to a full stop. Here are strategies that work well for my clients:
- Recognize that you are not in Kansas any more. Your job hunt challenges are a product of a tough economy and a highly competitive job market. Moreover, the world of work, career development and management, hiring practices and the ground rules for job search have undergone a tremendous overhaul. You have no control over these changes (it is said that the only one who likes change is a wet baby…), but it is up to you to embrace the new reality, accept the paradigm shift, and focus on what is under your control.
- Get out of your comfort zone and learn a new set of skills to conduct an effective job search. Be flexible and adaptable.
- Practice persistence. Remember what happens to the squeaky wheel?
- Seek support; Join at least one job club, networking and/or support group (there are plenty of them around, including bookstores) where you will meet many talented and seasoned job seekers who may be doing all the right things, but have still not gotten a job. In addition to enjoying the benefits of tips, advice and leads, it will normalize your situation and will make you realize, that this is just temporary. Another source of support are professionals: career counselors and coaches, and, in some cases, therapists.
- Peruse letters of reference, work samples, resumes and any other documents that can attest to your talents and accomplishments. My clients find these very empowering. I actually have them create a professional portfolio for this reason (and many others).
- Last, but not least: check negative attitude and feelings at the door, since you are running the risk of forfeiting your chances for being hired. You may be dressed to the ninth for a coveted job interview, but you are never fully dressed until you wear a smile on your face. The same goes for phone interviews and, actually, for all networking activities, in person and via social media.
Armed with the right attitude and a solid roadmap, sooner or later you will arrive at your destination. You will get the job you want and put your career back in gear. I’ve been there, done that, and so can you.
I wish you the very best!!!
Hi Michael,
Another excellent blog!
Marga
Like any road trip, we need a map and driving directions –and yours are the best
to ensure arriving at our destination. Thank you.
What happens when you have done all of the above for the past two years without a concrete result? Many interviews and no offer. I think when you are senior , over 20 years, the pickings are even slimmer. One can run out of money trying to find a job in today’s market.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for sharing so candidly!
How frustrating it is to work so hard and long at your job search and have many interviews but no offers! On the flip side, you are getting interviews, while many others are getting few or none. I believe that with your fantastic background and accomplishments in Public Relations, you are probably communicating your personal brand and accomplishments to the employers. Unfortunately, as you know, employers have a very large pool of highly qualified candidates to draw from.
Please bear with me if you have already implemented the steps that I would like to offer:
Get feedback regarding your performance on your interview once you are informed that you have not been selected for the job. At that time I suggest that you send a “thank you for the opportunity to interview” follow-up letter and make your call after about a week. Yes, many employers would shy away from responding to this request, but it only takes one or two interviewers, who you feel comfortable with, to provide their insights when approached carefully.
You can also seek feedback from a professional career coach and practice interviewing skills. If chosen right, you would get an objective perspective in one meeting. They could point out to subtleties you may not be aware of such as attitude, enthusiasm, interest and other emotions expressed verbally and via body language. They could also assess your message during the interview: Are you focusing on solutions to problems and challenges the organization is facing? A video taped mock interview is a great help as well.
Yet, the job search must go on….Being able to sustain oneself in today’s economy has forced many job seekers to take routes they would otherwise not have considered:
Seek jobs which are below the level of their expertise, previous employment level and compensation. Adaptability and flexibility are the name of the game.
Repackage themselves; assess their transferrable skills and consider different jobs in the same industries or others. In your case, it could be writing, training, making presentations, researching and more.
Seek a few part time jobs.
Start their own business and combine it with another part-time job as they are developing it. It is no secret that the current employment crisis has resulted in great opportunities to many. You have your own consulting business which could be an asset to many small businesses. Are you utilizing many venues including Social Media to promote your services? You could join up to 50 groups on LinkedIn! Have you listed your services on consulting websites such as http://www.sologig.com ?
Volunteer at an organization where you can utilize your best and motivated skills and which would allow you shine. You have a lot of choices, having been affiliated with three major industries. You will be able to make additional contacts and increase your chances for being hired from within.
As I said , there is a light at the end of the tunnel although it may not feel like this at this time.
I hope this has been helpful and wish you the very best!!!
It is true that today’s market presents more challenges and prospective obstacles. It’s also true that one can run out of money or feel that all avenues have been tested and tried. More times than not they actually have not and that’s when it’s time for a fresh set of ideas and eyes to take a look at what you have done thus far, what’s working and what might need some improvements or adjustments. This is what I call the “Team Up” approach. Team up with a colleague, a motivated close friend, and/or a Career Counselor or Coach. As social beings, we thrive best with varied ideas and thoughts collaborating together for effective implementation. The job search process is a critical part of life exemplifying this to a “T”. Sometimes a person feels he/she has “tried everything” because one has tried everything he/she can think of, but we are all a product of our experiences. That being said there is always something more to consider, another thought to be had, and it can often take more than one’s self to tap into that.
Thanks for starting this dialogue Michal, this is a GREAT one!
Danielle
Founder and Career Counselor
Living Careers
http://www.twitter.com/LivingCareers
Danielle,
And…thanks for continuing the dialogue. You are right on.
Best,
Michal
Good morning Michal,
Thank you for sending me the article “Are Your Job References Working For You?”
I liked so much your quote ” “Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach that I copied it on a piece of paper that stays on my desk.
Regarding the article, it is so timely for me. I need to ask some ex-colleagues for a reference and I was thinking how I can make their life easier in terms of writing the letter of recommendation. As always, your ideas are practical and professional.
Again, thank you.
Marga