Here’s an odd thing about being in job search: it can get boring. You’ve got a lot to do, but when not much happens, it can feel discouraging and it’s easy to lose interest. When doing laundry looks like a good time, you know you’re in trouble. My advice, as a career coach and author, is to surprise yourself. Do something that is out of the box for you. That could mean attending a networking meeting that you’ve avoided, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or signing up for a drawing class. It’s your job to make your life interesting while you look for work, and as you do it, you’ll find your search easier to maintain. And who knows, the things you do to surprise yourself might even help you get to your next opportunity.
Midsummer Night’s Job Search
Here we are at the point in August when we realize summer will be over before we know it, kids will be back in school, and for those in transition, it can be a rough time. Like Shakespeare’s play, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, this could be a time to tap into your day dreams and fantasies as you work your search. Can you find one company that you’d really like to work for? Or can you think of a role you’d love to be in for your next job? See if you can use these creative thoughts to re-energize your job search campaign and stimulate your network. Rather than telling others, “There are no jobs out there”, see what happens if you say, “I’m really interested in this local company and am trying to find out more about them. What do you know?”
And read something inspiring. I just found a really fun book, “The Road to Burgundy” about an American who ends up moving to France to produce wine. All you need is one job, so use this special time of the year to pursue it in a way that engages others. That way they’ll be glad to help you.
Why keep doing something that doesn’t work?
As a career coach with 19+ years of experience, I’m always amazed that job seekers keep doing the same things over and over even if months have gone by and no one is responding. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you what that one thing is, but I will anyway: answering ads online. So if this sounds like you, please think about diversifying your search strategy. Create a list of companies or organizations where you’d like to work and share that with your network. Or target a company directly–I’ve got a great format for this in the back of my first book, “Eliminated! Now What?” And lastly, learn from others. Ask your friends or your parent’s friends, “How did you get your job?” Most importantly, get yourself off the treadmill that’s unproductive, and while you can still answer online ads, try some new techniques. You might be surprised at the results!
What if you have a college degreee and can’t find work?
You worked hard to earn a degree, and if you’re like many students, you may have some serious student loans to pay back. What should you do if you can’t find a job? My quick answer, is learn how to run a better job search–and tap into resources that can help you. Guess what the biggest mistake recent graduates make as they look for work? Addiction to the internet. It’s a great tool but it puts you where there’s the most competition and the least likelihood of getting a response.
To learn how to diversify your search: take advantage of your former school’s career office, find out about groups or services where you’re living (for many recent grads this means with Mom & Dad) and team up with a search buddy so you’re not going it alone. A really helpful website is www.quintessentialcareers.com. Also check with your local library and the Unemployment Office (Department of Labor) to see what resources there are. Pull away from the internet-driven pack and go directly after employers. The worst that can happen is nothing!
Lastly, my first book, “Eliminated! Now What?” has templates and advice that can help you. Read several search books to get diverse opinions and keep an open mind. You will find work.
Why Job Search Is Not A Loner’s Game
Since moving to Connecticut a year ago, I’ve been teaching a class I designed: “Boomers Back to Work!” Geared for what I like to call the “mature” worker, one of the key points I make is how important it is to include others in your search. For one thing, when we’re looking for work, it’s easy to get discouraged. For another, we lose perspective. And in addition, we need ideas from others to keep our search campaigns fresh and effective. I tell my class, if you don’t remember anything else, please keep in mind you’ll do much better if you’re reaching out to others for advice, connections, interview practice, sharing your list of target companies, and so on. Job search is not a loner’s game.
How to get past the winter doldrums
I don’t mind winter, but right about now I start thinking–enough already! When is spring coming? And if you’re looking for work, this cold and dreary time of the year can get to you. What can you do? My most important advice to not to go it alone. Join a search group, use a career counselor if your past company has given you an outplacement package, or team up with a search buddy. Secondly, do things that keep you motivated–things you can look forward to. This could be getting together for coffee with a friend, visiting a homebound neighbor, or simply exploring a new park. Another suggestion is to learn a new skill or improve an existing one. Don’t stagnate. And lastly, look for ways to give back. There are many studies that show that people who volunteer are healthier, so even if you decide to help out for selfish reasons, that’s just fine. But do it. The worst mistake job seekers make is to spend the day glued to their computers. Take advantage of online resources, but run a proactive and well-balanced search and you’ll land a new job a lot faster. And a last trick that works for me: buy yourself flowers. It’s amazing how they can lift your spirits.
When it’s time to move on
In job search, it’s a wonderful thing to be motivated and meticulous at follow up, but I recently got myself into trouble as I didn’t realize that it was time to let go and move on. I keep a spreadsheet of all my search activities and when I notice that someone in my network hasn’t gotten back to me, I reach out to them. And often, that’s productive and sends a positive message: I’m excited about my work. But when the person on the other side really doesn’t want to talk with you and no matter what you say you’re not going to change his or her mind, then it’s a good idea to say “Thanks” and get off the phone.
But because I was in follow up mode and because I knew that my skills would be a good fit for this particular organization, I heard myself arguing with the person on the phone–and yes, it gets worse–I even went so far as to tell them why they were wrong about using their own people. Not so smart. It finally occured to be that I was in a losing battle and I did get off the phone–in a rotten mood.
So I emailed my search buddy and when we spoke the next day she gave me a wonderful new contact. (A search buddy is someone who is also in transition who agrees to help you throughout the process.) When I thought about it I realized this was a much better place to put my efforts and that I had to let go of the other opportunity. Lastly, I gave myself a pat on the back as I had tried really hard, had networked effectively, but it just wasn’t going to happen. A hard but important lesson.
Are we there yet?
Sometimes job search feels like being a little kid stuck in an endless car ride. You can’t imagine that you will ever reach your destination, but it occured to me the other day, that it’s easy to miss “getting there” especially if you’re working on a consulting or contract basis. You get a contract or two and start work, but it may not feel as if you’ve “landed.” You may still feel stuck in that stuffy car, while really you’ve made great progress. And since getting your foot in the door may lead to additional work, it’s really important to give yourself a great big pat on the back and tell yourself, “I did it!”
Okay, the trip isn’t over, but recognize the victories or you risk getting run down and discouraged. Maybe even take a day or two off and celebrate. Wouldn’t that be something?
Hoping for someone to “get it”
I realized recently, in networking, that my number one dream has been for someone to “get it.” By that I mean get what I can do and make a connection to a job. Rather than “it’s been nice talking with you”, I wanted: “Hey, you’d be perfect for ….. and let me help you make that happen.” Not a bad wish, really, but in the end a frustrating one as that isn’t what happens.
As job seekers we have to be our own connectors or bridges. So in addition to talking with people, we need to ask questions so that our agenda is clear. Here’s a few sample questions:
-Do you see me as a good fit for (fill in the blank)?
-From what I know so far, I could be a strong contributor here. What might be some next steps?
-Thanks for asking me to volunteer. I know how important that is which is why I’m already volunteering with several organizations. My goal is to be part of your staff, even if that’s on a part-time basis as I’m confident that my skills can help you (fill in the blank.)
Yes, these questions are hard to ask and many of us may feel uncomfortable asking them. My advice: get over it and do it. But make sure to deliever your message with a smile. As my favorite job search mantra reminds me, “They’d be lucky to have you.”
Get Led Astray
Looking for work can be like a long car trip where you keep asking, “Am I there yet?” And you can’t enjoy the process because you’re fixated on the end results. To get out of this rut, try to do something different. Maybe you visit a friend you’ve lost touch with, or you could volunteer or take a course at a community college. The trick is not to see these things as a waste of time. That detour may be just what you need to refresh your network and find new opportunites. Try it. It can be fun to be led astray!
