It’s the holiday season, the time to be merry and bright. Yet, there are many who have lost their jobs and are hurting. In uncertain times it is good to keep in mind that we always have something to be thankful for, and we all have things to offer that the world needs. If you go into the holiday season worried about losing your job, or have been affected by layoffs and are looking for a job, remember you have plenty of options. Make sure you gear up for a successful job search. During uncertain times, it is normal to feel angry, frustrated, and anxious. Take the time to acknowledge and honor those emotions, but don’t dwell on them for too long. They can distract you from what’s important for weathering the storm. This is not the time to panic but rather to fully utilize your strength. Shift “what if” thinking focusing on the worst-case scenario of the uncontrollable to identifying the possibilities within your control. Put together an action plan. Then put your ideas into action, step-by-step, even if only little-teeny-tiny steps. Tough and challenging times present obstacles but also the opportunity to build courage, inner strength, and resilience. So, move proactively into strategic planning full speed ahead to figure out your next move to find your next job.
It is possible to find great opportunities during economic downturns. See the HBR article from 2020 How to Find a (Great) Job During a Downturn offering relevant strategies you can use today. The key is to always focus on the things you can control.
Below are 10 Strategies for Launching an Effective Job Search:
Tip #1: Clarify Your Employability Value Proposition (EVP)
Answer the question: why should the employer hire me?
It’s about the 3 W’s of Job Searching:
WHY: Simon Sinek's idea “start with the why” – why you do what you do?
WHAT: define the essence of your skillset, interests, what you do well, and what you want to do next.
WHERE: where do you shine at work? Articulate your unique value proposition, the things that give you competitive advantage to stand out from the crowd.
Tip #2: Set Your Job Search Target
Answer the question: what opportunities am I trying to attract?
The most important part of a job search strategy is defining your target to prioritize your search so that you wisely invest your time and energy. This means considering the big picture: clarify what you want in your next career step, set your job search criteria, develop your game plan identifying the strategies to find your path to success.
A focused, targeted job search is the best route to find your next position. Here’s why:
It eliminates time and energy wasted on leads that are outside of your scope, or unsustainable over the long-term.
It clarifies your employability brand value proposition, which will be important when networking and throughout the interviewing process.
It enables your network to help you look for relevant opportunities to bring back to you.
Tip #3: Understand the Job Post and the Employer Needs
Answer the question: what does the hiring manager want?
Take the time to really read job postings and to understand the job description inside and out. Even for the same job titles, and similar roles, different companies would highlight different responsibilities. There are always nuances. Pay close attention and read between the lines to prioritize what you need to include in your application to demonstrate the value you would add to the work environment and on the job.
Tip #4: Take Inventory
Answer the question: how do I deliver results?
Create a list of your strengths, weaknesses, and your employability skills. This should include EVERYTHING –skills, abilities, personal qualities, and hard & soft skills. Showcase how you utilize your skills to deliver results. Reflect on your past jobs:
What were your main contributions on the team & beyond, to the company?
Who benefited directly from your work?
What was the direct or indirect impact of your attitude, actions, & accomplishments?
Tip #5: Put the Pieces Together
Answer the question: how do my skills and experience align with the job requirements?
Once you take the time to zero in on the critical success factors of the job description and match up against your experience, skills, and qualifications. Find the sweet spot between what the company is looking for and highly prizes and what you bring to the table. Showcase your talents including the elements and information that are likely to get a hiring manager’s attention.
Are you falling short? Requirements listed in job descriptions are guidelines, a wish list of sorts. You should still apply if you have 75% of the skills and qualifications asked for, highlighting the most relevant and transferable skills. Additionally, design a plan to bridge the skills gaps.
Tip #6: Be Proactive
Answer the question: how can I uncover hidden opportunities?
Think about the flow of your days and make an action plan to remain productive and to make progress every single day; for example, the number of companies to research, people to contact, add new connections, join the conversation in LinkedIn groups and in professional networking events. To fast-track your job search, treat it like a full-time, most important, and highest paying job in the world, in which you must perform at maximum effort.
Tip #7: Work Your Network
Answer these 5 questions:
Who do I need to contact?
Why am I contacting the person?
What is my “ask”?
How should I approach the person to initiate a conversation?
How can I contribute to a better outcome?
Grow and leverage your network to identify job openings and people to ask for help. One of the best ways to open doors for yourself is to let people know you are in the market. Talk to family, friends, and friends of friends. Think about everyone you know, people in your network and within the communities in which you live, work, and play. You never know what, or who, will lead you to your new job. Asking for help requires vulnerability. Showing vulnerability builds deeper relationships. Remind yourself that
giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. Reciprocity reflects the natural duality of the universe; at times we ask for help and support, and at others we are in a position to provide assistance and be of service to others. Remember: “Today You, Tomorrow Me.” Putting yourself out there isn’t easy, but it pays off. The more connections and introductions you have, the more leads to opportunities you generate.
Tip #8: Sweat the Small Stuff
Ask and answer honestly: am I doing my absolute best giving maximum effort?
Success is never an accident. It is always the result of careful planning, high focus, sincere effort, and relentless execution. Align your choices and actions to support your job search goals and recognize which choices and actions aren’t conducive. Make a list of all of your fears and excuses and turn them into your to-do list. Be intentional in the way you present yourself to the world and potential employers. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to your Job Search Target (the opportunities you are trying to attract.) Customize your resume and cover letter for each application you submit. Yes, most people do not read cover letters. However, when they do, it’s your chance to stand out and stay ahead of the competition. And yes, take the time to send thank-you emails. It will be a lot of work, but it will be well worth it.
Tip #9: Hone Your Message
Answer: what is my career story?
When looking for a job, expect to talk about your career choices and experience A LOT. You might not think your career story is interesting, but it’s the best tool to open doors for yourself. Your career story is the story of your journey. Creating it involves understating your choices and being able to articulate an overall story about yourself, including where you are coming from, where you are today, and where you see your career going. Create a clear, concise set of messages (your “elevator pitch”.) Be ready to tell your story with family and friends, at networking events, and chance encounters at the dog park. Make every conversation an opportunity to practice and perfect the way you talk about your job search and your career accomplishments. Join the conversation. Participate in relevant professional groups – in person and online. Search for content, follow trends, post, share, and comment on relevant content on social media. When you land an interview, make the most of the opportunity by thoughtful preparation.
Tip #10: Stay Positive
Answer: is my head in the right space for a successful job search?
Positivity promotes productivity and resilience during a long and exhausting job search. A positive attitude will allow you to approach unpleasantness in a constructive way believing that success is possible. But you have to make a conscious choice to rise above the challenges. Positive people are energizers. Energizers build networks of others energizers around them that exponentially expand to attract more people and opportunities. Job hunting is not easy. Please don’t let rejections or frustration get the best of you! Your next job is out there, and you can find it. Stay positive and stay hopeful. New jobs become available every day and one of them will be yours. Keep doing your best. As they say, the price of success is hard work. The foundation is a positive mindset.
Finding the right job can take time. It’s important to remain diligent in your efforts while managing your mental energy to avoid job search fatigue and feeling overwhelmed by rejections, or when the desired outcomes are slow to come despite your hard work. Remember that your situation is temporary, and things will eventually fall into place, even if it takes a bit longer than anticipated. So, when you feel discouraged, remind yourself of the wisdom of the three P’s: follow the Process, be relentlessly Persistent and practice Patience.
I wish you good luck with your job search and professional future endeavors.
If we are not already connected, let’s connect! Let me know if there's ever anything I can help you with. My cyber-door is always open! And I offer a free introduction meeting.
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