Moving Your Job Search Thoughts from Your Head to Visibility

Moving Your Job Search Thoughts from Your Head to Visibility

Often when individuals enter job search, it can be a very confusing time. Some individuals may not have liked the job they had last. Others are not sure if the type of work they did is in demand any more. Still others can explain the tasks they did, but may not be able to explain the value they brought to their employer.

Job search has many moving parts to it. People often realize they need to update their resume’. More and more are learning about the importance of having or developing out their Linked In profile. Many learn the importance of expressing verbally what they do or what they are seeking. There are countless interviews, (both those directly in applying for jobs, and ones that are strictly exploring companies or potential opportunities). Often when I meet individuals in search, (whether they become my clients or are those I meet at job search support group meetings), they are overwhelmed by the process.

One of the directions I look to guide those I meet or work with to, is one of “writing down” the thoughts in their head of which they need to be knowledgeable about their search. While “writing down”, can mean doing so on paper with pen or pencil, it does not necessarily have to be that way. Use of computerized tools, (documents, spreadsheets, capturing information on cell phone software, etc.) are all ways of recording the information you need to help you in your search. I would advise that each individual look to use the tools and approaches that are best for them. What good is it capturing information, if you are either not going to know where you may have recorded it, or on which device you did so?

So just what might you want to be capturing? I am a strong believer in using job search assessment tools in the beginning of one’s search to help set up the process. What kind of assessments? Perhaps viewing a list of values important to one in job search and identifying on a scale of 1 to 4, (with 4 being most important), those values that the candidate sees needing to be present in their next job. The job searcher can review their past jobs, and list the pros and cons of each job. What patterns emerge in terms of likes and dislikes? The pros and cons lists can be applied to the job itself, the bosses one has, the type of work environment, and almost any aspect possible.

A review of previous performance reviews or company testimonial letters allows one to identify the items they were recognized for or accomplished in their previous jobs. Those accomplishments show up in many places in the job search process. The resume’, interviews when explaining how one has done similar work at another company, or even in thank you notes to companies are places where your accomplishments come in handy in advancing your candidacy for a job role. Again, while one can try to remember all they have accomplished within their mind and thoughts, having such information identified in an organized fashion on the documents and worksheets of their search is so helpful.

Take a look at various Linked In profiles. What separates the strong ones from the weak ones? Usually it is the candidate being able to introduce who they are and what they offer those who need their services in their “About” Section of the Profile. Their Experience section in a short little two or three sentence description, and some concise bullets, show what they accomplished at a particular job position. It even helps in the development of the “Headline” at the top of the profile under their picture. Those strong profiles just did not happen overnight. A lot of thought and preparation to realize who an individual is and what they offer. went into that presentation.

Moving your thoughts from your head to “paper” or where you can see them, not only works for job search, but in any aspect of life. Whether it is planning the next move in your life as to where you may want to live, where you may want to go to school, what improvements you may want to make around the house, etc., or again, what type of job roles you want to take next, getting your thoughts from your head to where you can see them, evaluate them, and express them is essential in accomplishing major steps and changes in your life. Try it next time when you find yourself overcome by frustration and doubt in the next big decision you need to make in your life.