I think sometimes we make our lives too complicated. We sweat over small details that in the grand scheme of things don’t really make a bit of difference. I used to obsess about keeping my car clean, and it drove me nuts when it rained anytime within a week of washing it. But, dirty or not, the car still gets me from point A-B.
I talk to a lot of job seekers. A LOT. They ask questions about how they should handle specific responses to interview questions, or ask how long they should wait until they call back a company after sending a resume. And knowing the answers to those questions can be important, but it’s not getting you from A-B if you know the “secret” to answering a question right (hint – there is no secret – every situation is different).
I also talk to a lot of people who are in the career coaching business. I lead a group that is part of the Crossroads Career Network. There are some basic strategies to find a job that you need to be following. Until you understand these basic strategies, diving into the details might send you down a rabbit hole that will distract you from big picture things. You can get too tangled up in the car being dirty and not appreciate that it’s still getting you where you’re going.
Here’s the basics you should appreciate before you worry about the details.
#1 Getting a job today is difficult. It’s going to take time & effort. 20 years ago responding to ads in the paper would get you a job. For the past 15 years it’s been the same thing, only the classifieds are now called the internet. Today the effort you put into responding to job posts will work 15% of the time. Don’t put more than 15% of your efforts into that strategy. If the paper/internet doesn’t work what does? Good, old fashioned selling. That’s what works. Understanding your product (you), researching the market that can use that product, prospecting for leads within that market, and closing the deal with your next business partner.
#2 Understanding your product. If you’ve been selling widgets for 20 years and the widget market is dead in your targeted city you need to know what you bring to the table outside of being a widget salesman. You’ve heard the term “transferable skills”. We all have them. Know what they are. But go beyond those skills. What are you passionate about? What interests do you have? What kind of education and training have you received? Those are all parts of the “you” puzzle.
Example: the “I’m a people person” transferable skill. You need to understand yourself well beyond that specific cliché (and it is a cliché). I’m pretty good at talking to people, but I’m really passionate about helping them. I also have a psychology degree which helps me understand what motivates people and makes the tick. I am good working in an environment where I can be self-directed, but I thrive on the freedom to make decisions (and live with them). Rather than thinking just about skills, think about why you have those skills & how they have developed over the years. That’s when you really understand your product.
#3 You have to research your market. Not in a specific sense, but in a general sense. What type of job would you be happy doing? Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? What kind of industry offers those types of opportunities? The Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*Net are excellent resources for that type of research. If you’ve been a widget salesman for 20 years you may have a very narrow view of the opportunities that lay ahead. Research some positions and target two or three occupations that you feel would suit you.
#4 You have to have a marketing plan. This is where the resume comes into play. The first question many new job seekers ask me is “can you help with my resume”. Resumes are probably the most common rabbit hole job seekers run down. They spend hours fretting over every sentence, how its formatted, how long it should be, what it contains, and just about every other aspect of that piece of paper. STOP IT!
You don’t need to have your professional life history on a resume – the ONLY thing that document is supposed to do is get someone interested in you. And if all you have in your marketing plan is a resume you’re missing so many other ways you can get someone interested in what you have to offer. Like a BLOG. Or your LinkedIn profile. Or a PowerPoint presentation. A YouTube video. You need marketing materials and in today’s connected world if all you have is a 2 page Word document you are missing opportunities to shine.
#5 You need to network. Meet with people one-on-one. Meet with groups. Join professional organizations. Go to employer open houses. Hit the job fair (a great place to network, not get a job). If you aren’t meeting (and following up) with at least 3-5 NEW contacts a week you are missing opportunities.
If you understand and follow those basic steps you are going to uncover the opportunity you are seeking. A job search is not a passive process anymore. Get back to the basics. Know yourself, know what you want, and seek out people who can assist you along the way. Above all, keep a positive attitude. Your next job is out there waiting for you. Its up to you to go find it.