Conducting an effective job search is essential to career success-especially on a tight deadline. With all the economic uncertainty, many people find themselves unemployed due to a lay off or close to one. One issue that is common among those who find themselves in this situation is the lack of preparation. Sadly, many jump right into searching for a job without a strategy. For some, frustration grows as they consider their individual circumstances. Seeing other’s success, they may downplay their success to sheer luck.
The fact is most people put in a lot of effort in finding new jobs, but not everyone sees the behind-the-scenes work. Those who successfully find new jobs at a quicker rate do so because they have an effective job search framework. They are consistent with their actions; they are committed to seeing their plan through until the end. They do not become sidelined with rejection. The job search phase is a lot of work, but the more you are prepared, the better experience you will have in you achieving your goal. In this article, we provide a framework to get you started thinking about your job search strategy.
Clarify your Strategy
Throughout your career you constantly revisit your career strategy. It is an essential aspect of planning your next move. Just as businesses have corporate strategies like growth or brand building, you too will find yourself defining your career. In the job search, you have three paths to consider: maintenance, growth or change. You will need to understand if the current work you are doing is what you wish to pursue in your next role. If you are just starting out in your career, then getting similar experience in different companies will help aid in your growth. However, if you have been in a specific job role for some time, you may also consider whether now is the time to stretch your mind and capabilities with more responsibilities. This may come with managing a team, or developing next level skills that make you more marketable over time. Yet and still a third path involves making a complete career switch. A career switch may be necessary if you desire to learn new skills or place yourself on a stronger economic footing. No matter where you are in your career, there will be risks, but there will also be benefits. You will need to carefully weigh both pros and cons.
Know Your Timeline.
First things first. If you have just received your notice of layoff then you know your window is much shorter. On the other hand, you may be concerned that you may be included in the next round of layoffs. This may temporarily provide a bit of a longer window. In both scenarios a sense of urgency will be present and uncertainty will be high. The sooner you know of instability in the workplace, the better, so you can prepare. Remember, the longer you have to prepare, the better your experience will be. You should always be on the lookout for job opportunities that allow you to gain more experiences and grow in leadership. If in the absence of a layoff, you have find yourself wanting more, now is the time for you to build up your transition strategy.
Define Your Value
As you clarify what you want, having confidence in the decisions you make is a skill that will last a lifetime. Selling yourself is hard for many people, but those who know what value they bring will be better able to sell that value to new employers. When we talk about creating value, we mean how do you make the company more efficient, more productive, increase revenue or decrease costs. For that you can lean on your pass accomplishments and transferrable skills that you have gained through both work and volunteer activities. This will provide clarity and confidence on the value that you bring to companies.
Understand The Job Search Requirements
Once you have clarified your direction and understand the value you bring, you can carry on with your job search plan in a much more strategic way. For instance, if you are a creative, you may only want to apply to graphic design jobs instead of administrative assistant jobs. That’s why it is important to nail down your strategy first-maintain, grow, or change. There are many components to your job search plan. These include:
- Selecting where you will focus your search efforts. Will you apply to: a specific company, to any company with the targeted job, or a mix of both?
- Working on your professional branding. Here you might even consider where to post your resume or to whom you will share your resume.
- Networking and active outreach to your colleagues and making new contacts in the companies you want to work.
- Developing your job search toolkit: resume/CV cover letter, follow up, identifying potential references.
- Strengthening your presentation and interviewing skills so you can sell yourself better.
- Tracking job applications submitted, status and follow up plans.
Build Up Your Network
Do not underestimate the power of networking—it could just be the game-changer your career needs! Here are 7 tips to help you started on your networking journey:
- Start with a Goal: Before you start networking, have clear goals in mind. Are you looking for a job, seeking advice, or trying to learn more about a certain industry? Knowing your aim will help guide your conversations and actions.
- Build Genuine Relationships: Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts. It’s about establishing and nurturing real relationships. Show genuine interest in others, and don’t just focus on what you can gain. Remember, it’s a two-way street.
- Master Your Elevator Pitch: Be ready to introduce yourself in a concise, compelling way. Your elevator pitch should quickly communicate who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique.
- Leverage Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry-specific online forums can be great platforms for networking. Share relevant content, comment on others’ posts, and reach out to professionals you admire.
- Practice Active Listening: When networking, listen more than you talk. You’ll learn more, and people will appreciate your attentiveness. Remember to ask thoughtful questions based on what others share with you.
- Follow Up: After you meet someone new, follow up with a friendly message. This helps solidify the connection and keeps you top-of-mind. It could be a simple thank-you note, or a message commenting on a topic you both discussed.
- Stay in Touch: Keep the relationship alive even when you don’t need anything. Share articles or resources of interest, congratulate them on their achievements, or simply check in to see how they’re doing.
- Get Involved: Join professional groups, attend industry events, and participate in online discussions. The more involved you are, the more opportunities you have to connect with others.
The steps above is a framework to get you started thinking about the job search process. It begins with being clear on your timeline, clarifying what you ultimately want, the value that uniquely positions you as a viable candidate for a company, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Finally, in preparing for your job search you’d need to begin thinking of the elements of the job search process, gathering your resources, and planning how to best manage it all. This will be a lot of work, but we believe you are up for the challenge!
