Job Search Rules of the Present and the Future

Job Search Rules of the Present and the Future

I recently attended a “Careers in Transition” support group meeting in my local area. The moderator reminded the group of four points about the world of today as it relates to job search and working. His points were right on, and I agreed with all of them fully. They are ones that I feel the need to enthusiastically share with a wider audience.

Transition is a Permanent Job, Landing is Temporary – I was very fortunate to have a 30 year career with one company. In the latter 15 years of that employment, I knew I was lucky to say that. On a go forward basis, the number of people that will be able to make the same statement will become less with each passing year. The average college graduate can expect to have 12 to 13 different jobs and 4 to 5 different careers over the course of a 40 year career. That averages out to a new job once every 4 to 5 years. Companies start up while other companies close up. Industries become very vibrant and then time passes them by. The best time to think about your next job or career is when you are in your current job position. That way, when it comes time to move on, (either through your choice or that of your company), you can hit the ground running quicker as to what you will pursue next.

Network “ABC” – Always Be Connected – During that 30 year career while I met and knew a number of individuals, most of them worked for the same company as me. I knew the trends of my company, but wasn’t much interested in studying the trends of the industry outside of my company. That type of approach is not a wise one in the work world of today and the world going forward. While networking can be a difficult concept for many people, it does not have to be. When done properly it is done with the intent of building relationships. It is done with the concept of wanting to learn as much about the other person as in them getting to know you. It is not looking at other people in your profession as competitors but as someday possible co-workers, someone you may want to hire or someone that may want to hire you. It becomes more difficult to open doors when you look to do it from a point of desperation, than if it is a practice you have been doing on an ongoing basis.

Always Be Positive – How well do you like people that are always negative? If you had a job opening would you want to hire one? Think how a potential hiring manager would feel if you are always talking about your life from a perspective of what is wrong with it as opposed to what is right. This not only goes when you are actively pursuing a new job, but even in those networking sessions to which I previously referred. Your contacts ARE NOT going to recommend you to their contacts if they believe you will not put your best efforts forward. After all, they have their reputation to protect. Yes, it can be depressing at times, if you feel overworked, underpaid, and always seeming to have everything go against you. Even in the worst of challenges, there are always opportunities. Not only look for them, but communicate to others that you see them and more so that you will look to explore taking advantage of them.

On the Journey, “It Depends” – We all have our own independent journey in this life. The approach that your friend used to find their job may be the right one for their industry but it may not be right for yours. The job market at the moment when you are transitioning may be different than the job market six months previously. We meet different people who may be able to help us at different times. A company with which we interview may have their own timing when they plan to bring on additional employees, and it may not match to yours. The point is, at any time during job search one needs above all to be flexible. Once determining what may be the best approach for you to sell yourself to a perspective employer it is up to you to continue to follow that opportunity through, until it is no longer available.