How to conduct a winning job search without losing your perspective.
In a down economy like this one, your job search might be a long game. People are getting hired. You want to be one of them. Here’s how to make sure you’re in the game to win.
Two extreme job search approaches I hear from all the time:
- All your eggs in one basket. Jeff interviewed for a job. He feels so bonded to that job opportunity that he stops moving forward with his job search while he awaits the verdict. When it comes in that they chose someone else, he’s crushed. His job search not only stalled while he waited for the offer, but also as he recovers from the rejection. This approach is not efficient, and it’s also really hard to manage emotionally.
- All the eggs, all the time. Sherry’s applied to literally thousands of jobs. Spends all of her time researching and applying. She’s gotten only a few interviews. It’s been months. She’s burned out, frightened and feeling hopeless. This approach isn’t sustainable.
There’s a middle ground approach, one that’s more efficient than Jeff’s All–Eggs-in-One-Basket version and more sustainable than Sherry’s All-The-Eggs-All-the-Time version.
I want you to leverage your time, balance your job search and life, and perhaps most importantly, feel good about yourself so you can show up for the right opportunities in a way that allows the relationship to move forward and land you a job you love.
Begin at the end.
Establish your job search schedule. Shoot for a balance, productive approach. Some treat the job search like a job, 8 hours a day. If that includes genuine connection, informational interviews, rather than a frenzied apply for everything mentality, that might feel sustainable to you. Or maybe it’s much fewer hours per week. I want you to decide in advance, set your hours, and stick to them. This will support a job-winning mindset, in addition to a productive job search. And that mindset matters. Recruiters can smell desperation and despair. You want to exude productivity, creative thinking, professionalism, and value. Conduct your job search from a place of productivity and professionalism and you’ll be halfway there.
Cast a vision. Know what you’re looking for. Type of organization, role, skills applied.
Narrow the target for your job search.
Don’t spam. Don’t apply for everything. From the big picture vision, find target positions that both fit your vision and for which you’re at least 60% qualified. Batch your targets. The clearer your target, the deeper you’ll know what those types of organizations and positions are looking for. The more clearly you’ll speak to their needs and demonstrate the value you’ll be able to deliver them.
Define your brand to demonstrate your value to your target. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. When you confuse, you lose. If your brand is vague or too broad, you’ll confuse. Create an extremely targeted resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. Create an extremely targeted one-liner introduction and elevator pitch to let people know exactly what you do and what kind of job you’re looking for.
And ditch the vague job description language for all of it. Talk about the actual projects you did and outcomes you helped create.
Connect.
Don’t just apply online. Only 15 – 25% of jobs are filled through online applications. Do apply for those, but spend 80% of your time connecting with people in those organizations and industries AND connecting with people in your network.
I recommend you consider your job search a campaign.
Job Search like it’s your job: in your groove.
Set goals. Not for getting job offers, but for actions you can control. You’ll find 10 great fitting job opportunities per week, apply, and connect with people in those industries and organizations. You’ll conduct 5 informational interviews per week.
Get support and have fun. Play. Anchor into the activities that help you feel like YOU. Stay in touch with friends and family who get you, who know your value, and who can help you trust that your search will be fruitful.
Don’t: Apply for one job at a time.
Don’t: apply for all the jobs.
Do: Approach the job search just like you would your job. Prioritize. Systematize. Set goals. Take care of yourself. That’s how to conduct a job-offer-winning job search AND feel great about yourself and your search for however long it takes.