Here are the 7 Simple Steps:
- Prepare and Plan
- Network
- Find a Partner
- Review and Revise
- Keep Going (Lather, Rinse, Repeat)
- Keep Going
- Keep Going (You get the idea)
Preparation and Planning
Advance preparation with a plan
is a critical element. I see many folks who tell me that they are
“looking for work”. I now have a habit of asking one simple
question “Oh, good. Where did you apply today?” Often, the
answer is “Nowhere”. Since the same answer applies for every day
this week, last week, and stretches all the way back to approximately
two weeks into the job search, I assume this indicates someone who is
without a plan.
As an aside, the 14-30 day period seems
to be critical. I don't have any formal research data, but that is
about the point that energy and enthusiasm wear thin and burn out.
Then, we're down to determination and character. One reason the
U.S. Marines are successful-”FIDO”. People get weary, and job searches can take your energy over time.
Barack Obama did not come roaring out
of Chicago without a goal. A retrospective look at the career of
Bill Clinton, is clearly the result of “The Hillary Plan”. Mild
political humor aside, you need to set a goal with a date, and put it
in writing. I recommend 10-15 TARGETED employment
applications/approaches per week at a minimum.
Here is an example plan for Jane
Addams :
Objective: By 12/31/12 (note the
presence of a specific date), I WILL find and get a job as a Social
Worker
Step or Need
Jane reviews online resume guides.
Jane revises resume by 7/1/12.
Jane needs an email just for the job search.
Establish new email account by 7/5/12. See Tech Guy on 7/3/12to help janeaddams@hullhouse.org
Contact Dr. Frock from School
Jane by 8/1/12
Note: Frock said Call Johnson at Helping Hands
Call Dr. Johnson Jane 8/5/12 No
openings on 8/5
Sent
Resume to frock@helpinghands.gmail.com (123) 456-7890
Register at
WorkForce One Jane 8/5/12 Appt.
7/19129 with Linda
And so forth.
In addition, you should be ready to
interview or present yourself at any given moment. To do this, start
with an “elevator speech”. This is a few second long version of
who you are, what you are seeking, and why you will be great from the
employer's perspective. “Hi, pleased to meet you, I am Jane
Addams, and while I am happy where I am at, it is time for me to move
to a different challenge. I want a place where I can develop an
integrated community services center. This approach will succeed,
and make Chicago a better place.”
The critical element to the planning
phase is to review/revise/revisit as needed. And, as you implement,
remember the Marines “F*ck It Drive On”. Job searches and job
changes are life changing, stressful, and difficult, folks. Keep
going.
Networking
Regardless of your field,
the basics are exactly the same for any job seeker. First of all,
networking is critical. With unemployment rates up a bit, getting
the word out is critical for any prospective employee. I am aware of
a company that recently filled eight positions-with never an
advertisement of any type. That company simply posted internally,
and started asking who was out there.
So how do you go about networking?
Well, at my company, we strongly urge job seekers to know and
activate their “career team”. These are the people who are
around you, and there are central players, such as your spouse, a counselor, family, and friends. For many people, there
are past and even present co-workers and supervisors. Churches,
activities, and pretty much anything you do in the community can
offer networking opportunities. Besides the tax breaks offered,
children are a great way to network, and you can easily chat about
jobs with other parents at the soccer game. Finally, many churches
are starting to sprout “job support groups” for members and
non-members alike.
Then there are the online opportunities
to network. Www.LinkedIn.com, and www.FaceBook.com offer opportunities. If you are presently employed, and you want
to keep your job search quiet, be aware that some companies have
programs that troll these sites looking for the names of their
personnel. And don't forget your high school or college alumni/class
reunion options. Many schools and classes offer a link to alumni
bio's and such.
Find a partner
When my son was in Cub Scouts, one
activity they taught was swimming. To facilitate this activity, they
taught my then ~8 year old son The Buddy System. Since relatively
few blue and gold clad Webelos bob unmoving to the surface of the
various lakes and ponds of this great nation, I can only assume that
the Buddy System works well for them.
The Buddy System can work for you in
this job search. Given all the unemployment news reported (it's not
good, but not as bad as they tell you) on television each night at
6:00 pm, it should not be that difficult to find someone who is also
looking for a job. This should be someone you will not be competing
against. Basically, use them to help you search “I'll keep an eye
out for your truck driver job, let me know if you stumble across a
Social Work job”. Also, you can share networking contacts. And
most importantly, set goals, and use them as a way to keep on track.
Report your upcoming tasks, and report progress to each other.
Review and Revise
In terms of task planning, a job search
plan is like a military battle plan. And the great General George
Custer is famous for his battle planning quote “Holy Crap, look at all those Sioux!” Somewhat more successfully, more than 100
years ago, the esteemed Prussian general Helmuth von Moltke said, "No
battle plan survives first contact with the enemy."
A job search can be approached like
General Custer, somewhat randomly, and with a significant disregard
for information that develops as you go along. (I know, every Custer
historian on the Internet will point out why my analogy is flawed). But the point is, that Moltke was
more closely correct in his understanding that flexibility and
adaptability are important. You may find that you need to change the
entire focus of the job search, heck even the type of work. Be open
minded, remember the things that matter to you in a job/career, and
go with the flow when appropriate.
And in regard to “review”-Check the
map once in a while. Stop, catch your breath, plan, implement, and
then look at where you are on a regular basis. While I am not an
Aeronautical Engineer, I think I can safely say that the GPS units on
airline flights check position more than every few years. Beyond
marriage and having children, few things affect our lives as much as
career choice and success. Check progress now and then.
Keep Going
Job searches are hard. And they get
harder the longer they take. Stay focused, have a vision, and keep
working toward it. If you can, work steadily and regularly. Set
aside time. Develop a plan, find a buddy, and keep moving toward the
goal. Be honest, don't kid yourself (and others), and take small
achievable steps forward.
Chris
Links to my work, "Beyond a Career Crisis":
Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
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