Simple Job Search Strategies – How to follow a process and expect miracles

by Gretchen Gunn of MGD Services

Let’s face it, if you are out of work you probably don’t wake up every morning and think, “I’m just so excited to get up and start looking for work today”! If you do, don’t bother reading any more. But if you are like so many who dread doing all that is required to find a new position, please keep reading.

I recently watched a video by Dr. Brene’ Brown on TedxHouston. Dr. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent a decade studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. Her research embodies the idea of how to be capable of engaging ourselves from a place of authenticity and worthiness. Her research indicates that we are all hard-wired to be connected to one another. It also proves that in order to succeed at almost anything that matters in life, we need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

Isn’t it nice to know that our desire to help our connections is ingrained? It gets better. The very people we willingly champion want to reciprocate. So let’s let them. Make it easy by clearly stating what is needed. “I’m looking for a new job. This is what I do. Please keep me in mind if you hear of anything.”

Now about that vulnerable part: letting the world know that we need help is to be in a very vulnerable position indeed. The truth is, everyone has been vulnerable and everyone has failed. Failing is a part of the game that is life. Dr. Brown discusses leaning into the discomfort of this feeling and getting on with whatever it is you need to accomplish.

JK Rowling has admitted that before her Harry Potter books succeeded, she felt suicidal. (Suddenly just feeling vulnerable doesn’t feel so bad does it?) But Rowling didn’t quit. She did what she needed to do to get her books published. She allowed herself to be vulnerable and she accepted the possibility of failure. She was rewarded handsomely. Imagine if Rowling hadn’t persisted. We’re talking about 400 million books sold, countless licensing deals, and being I believe the second richest woman in the UK after the Queen. Isn’t it hard to imagine that this happened to someone on the brink of suicide?

Failing is trying. Without trying we never have a shot at succeeding. The quicker we can deal with failure, the quicker we are ready for success. Each failure is a building block to success. Some people cannot deal with failure, so they never try anything. The result: nothing. Nothing can happen without action. Life is all about action, and taking risks.

How do we go about designing a job search strategy that is authentic and will allow us to feel a sense of worthiness throughout the process? A friend of mine puts it bluntly. He says we simply need to ‘flip a switch.’ He means that it is within our power to feel differently about our situation. Gabby Bernstein, a bestselling author, says that a miracle is merely a shift in perception.

Wouldn’t you rather think about your job search as an opportunity to find a position that is both personally and financially rewarding, than something you will endure in order to stay out of the poor house?

What does it take to flip that switch and begin to be excited about prospecting for that next career adventure? The biggest part of the job search process is the preparation. After that, it’s a matter of good record keeping and a time table for following up and knowing when to let go and move on. Concentrate on your worth. Your responsibility is to prepare and be able to articulate why you are amazing at what you do. Your job is to tell your story, your worthiness, with grace and confidence in any situation, fitting your delivery to the audience.

Like any job you need to know what is expected of you. When you are searching for work, you are expected to know your skills and how you can help a company. Start with some broad based questions.

What are my skills, interests etc…

What is my pay scale?

What positions am I seeking?

What are my career goals?

Now the heavy lifting “About Brand You”

Consider these questions before you launch your job search campaign.

Can you recite your five best skills / competencies?

Can you recite your three character traits, unique and distinct to you?

Can you recite your one or two flaws that are genuine but won’t destroy your chances of being employed?

Can you deliver three compelling reasons why an employer should pick you over another candidate?

Can you state with clarity the type of positions you’re exploring that align with your brand?

Can you communicate the essence of your brand in 20 to 30 seconds?

Can you provide direct evidence of your top three achievements last year?

Can you name three distinct strategies for how you will find employment?

Can you persuade a savvy Hiring Manager why you ‘stand out’?

Can you speak convincingly about your brand and the value it can add to your target organization’s mission, vision, and goals?

Develop a list of potential employers for whom you want to work. Build your network to include those companies. Log all activities.

Steps in the Job Search Process

Research a position. Before applying blindly, can you network your way into an interview?

Apply for the position. Either through traditional means or through networking.

Wait 24 hours. Follow up via email.

Wait 24 hours. Follow up via phone. Scared? Leave a message after hours. If using this approach follow up again within 24 hours.

No response. Note your efforts and close that file.

Your research will pay off. You will be invited in for an interview. On the day of the Interview consider your approach. You must prioritize, plan and prepare. Don’t arrive too early. Wait somewhere outside (your car or a coffee shop) if you’re more than ten minutes early. Do not bring your cell phone. Dress appropriately – which means if it’s a flip flops and shorts place, wear neat jeans and a collared shirt. You will be judged. Accept this and ignore it. Even on something as simple as how you dress. Why? Because they are trying to picture you working with them day in and day out. Make it easy for them to do this.

After the interview email a quick note the next morning with two salient reasons why you are an exceptional fit. On the same day send a hand written card, in this be more general, thank them for the interview and reiterate your interest in the company and the position. No word? One week later, call and ask for an update. If you get positive feedback, ask when you can follow up again. If you don’t, ask if it makes sense to stay in touch for future opportunities. Notate everything and move on. Never stop your process, even if you have been told you have the job. Wait for the written offer. Always keep that job search pipeline flowing until you have been completely vetted by the company.

[box] Gretchen Gunn is a Principal of MGD Services Inc., a certified woman-owned staffing firm. She offers almost two decades of looking for jobs for her clients. Gunn also runs Wired4Hire, a networking group. The primary focus of the group is to offer a forum where people looking for employment, or ways to grow their business, can come together to ask for support and in the spirit of networking see how they can support others in their quest for employment or expanded revenue in their business. [/box]