Applying the Lessons You Learn From Job Search
It has been 10 years since I was trained in the nuances of Job Search Strategy coaching. One of the first messages which I learned was that job search (when done correctly), is a process. Some methods of the process have been shown to work better than others. For example, just applying for every job opening that one may see advertised on online sites, without any thought of ensuring your resume’ aligns for the qualifications that the posting is looking for, is a recipe for disaster. Relying strictly on job postings and recruiters, sitting back and waiting for those outlets to contact you, without reaching out to others yourself, is another method that will lead the searcher to much frustration.
The clients I work with in job search that I find have the most success, (and frankly become the ones I enjoy working with the most), are open to learning about approaches that will help them develop a solid search. They will take the time to review their career and look back on what they have done not as just a set of tasks, but as accomplishments that met the need of their employer or customers. They’ll look to identify people in their network, companies they may want to work for, and for opportunities to connect with other professionals to grow their network. Their communication vehicles become precise in terms of what they offer, whether that be their resume’, their Linked In profile, their verbal pitch or letters they send to companies.
One recent client whom I worked with over the last several months landed a job that aligned so well with his skill sets. The job he landed was in Virginia, while he lives in New Jersey. While that type of situation would involve likely moving family in the past, (or commuting oneself during the week and coming back home to see the family on weekends), in the world of 2021 job search, the ability to work remotely with this company was one of the appeals of the job. In fact, the company actually proudly promoted the fact that they encouraged their employees to work remotely and balance their work time with family time.
When one starts working with a new company, one of the things which happens is the need to meet your fellow co-workers. While you certainly may interact in person with them on the job, you may get to go to lunch with them, meet them at the “water cooler,” or possibly attend social or company events with them after work hours. When one lives in a completely different place than their co-workers, this is not as easy to do.
My client said to me, now that I have started with the company, and am getting established, I’m looking forward to meeting the people with whom I will be working. He said to me that I will look to schedule “Informational Interviews” with my new co-workers so as to have time to get to know them and them to know me. The “Informational Interview,” was a technique he learned the value of during our work together in the job search process. My client had used it to reconnect with co-workers from the past that he had not been in contact with for many years. He had used it to learn of opportunities from others in his network. It had also been used when he wanted to contact individuals at companies that sparked his interest and about which he wanted to learn more about. It had worked so well for him during the search, it was now deeply ingrained in him as a way to both connect or grow his professional network and learn more about others and ways his skillsets may be of help to them.
While the informational interview is one example, targeting options that you want in terms of achieving a goal, research (both online and connecting with people), and follow-up with those you meet, are all techniques in the job search process, that not only serve you well then, but also in ongoing activities in your life. And, that has never surprised me. In fact, I have often said to clients, (especially after I have learned what they have done during their career), you have often done these steps before. What is different is that you have not been the subject of your research or project. In this process using the skills you have, and searching for your next opportunity, is the objective. As you learn skills and approaches that work for you in your life, be open to seeing how they can be applied to other aspects of your life on an ongoing basis. You will find those approaches will serve you very well.
