From recent conversations and some of the news stories I’ve been reading, many people seem to be struggling (and moaning!) at the moment about finding work or new opportunities.
So I thought it would be timely to talk about how we can all bulletproof our job search strategies and improve our chances of landing that much cherished job.
And by the way, my advice is situation agnostic, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve been made redundant or are in a permanent or freelance role!
Before talking about the key theme and driving force of the article, it goes without saying that you need to make sure that your CV, LI profile, cover letters etc. are as polished and targeted as they can be.
As you’ve probably already guessed, I won’t be giving tips on this as it’s a subjective area and there is already lots of advice that you can find.
You do need to pay attention to these areas as they are an integral part of the job application process and also can boost your chances of interview and a job offer.
Own the process
For me, the most critical thing when looking for a new role is to own that search. Applying the ‘numbers game’ approach will not necessarily provide you with the desired results.
Furthermore, as many of you are probably finding, you will get ghosted by employers and recruiters alike, which is hugely frustrating.
But these factors are out of your control and will continue to happen, so you have to focus on the aspects of your job search strategy that you can influence. And there are plenty.
So, what do you need to do differently to elevate those response rates and get you closer to your end goal? You need to be proactive. Think about that for a minute.
Only you can instigate change and you need to be open minded, flexible and honest with yourself, especially if what you’re doing now isn’t achieving the desired result.
Start the process of figuring out why. You might be applying for the wrong jobs in the wrong places, so you may need to revisit your strategy.
Registering with headhunters is all well and good but we have a tendency to sit back and wait for them to come back to us. You should of course be contacting recruiters and maintaining contact with them to see what opportunities they have and what you should be focusing on.
Critically, and this is where proactivity really comes into its own, you need to identity the organisations that hire people like you and the types of role you do.
Have you made a list of target companies you’d like to work for and add value to? Do you know who the key decision makers are? Who do you know in your network that might know these people and make the introduction?
Do your homework
Find out about these people, read any articles they might have published. Make contact and ask if they’d meet you for a coffee.
You’ll surprised as to how many people will give up their time. But only if you approach them in the right way and not just as a speculative CV exercise.
Show that you’ve done your research, mention how your skills could be right for them and ask for advice. And if you do meet them and they don’t have a job, rest assured that they’ll get in touch when they do!
This type of approach not only works when looking for a job but also applies to getting new clients if you’re a freelancer or business owner. Your hit rate will be far better than applying to 100 jobs online.
It’s about having goals, setting targets and applying these to your job search. In this way, it’ll be easier to hold yourself accountable.
Just as you would in other areas of your life, like going to the gym etc. you need to schedule it in, which becomes easier if you tell yourself you’re going to do it.
Make it part of your routine. Block out some time each week and stick to the plan. For example, you might want to devote some time to job boards, making calls, setting up meetings with new contacts etc.
The important thing is to set those small goals, be consistent and commit.
How to raise your proactivity – my top tips
1) Establish a plan of action. Target the companies and decision makers that might have the roles, culture, environment and career path where you can fulfil your potential. But be realistic about timescales. Not everyone has the luxury of waiting, so you might need part-time, temporary, interim work etc. if money is an issue. Don’t rush into your next opportunity.
2) Network but make it targeted. Properly leverage your network and connect with the right people or those who might introduce you to them. You never know where your next job might come from – that person might know someone who knows someone etc. and recommend you. But it has to be planned alongside all the other job search strategy components discussed.
3) Carry out your research first. This is linked to the above point. When you do get in touch, don’t just adopt a ‘spray and pray’ CV approach. Explain what you’re looking for and why you’ve got in touch with them, how you can add value to their company but that you’d also appreciate their advice. It shows that you’re serious and humble, which will likely mean a response!
4) Have a buddy. No matter what your situation, having someone to talk to in a similar situation is priceless. You know that you will need to prepare for the chat or meeting to share ideas and advice. It will hold you accountable. It’s kind of like peer-to peer coaching. Make that weekly or monthly chat part of your schedule. You’ll get a lot out of it and you’ll look forward to it.
5) Make a commitment. Even if working full time, you can still block out a couple of hours each week to network, update/revisit your CV, publish an article, upskill, meet a colleague or a new acquaintance. That time dedicated to your personal brand and development will pay off if say you do find yourself being made redundant. Either do it properly or don’t do it at all.
6) Prioritise your mental health. This is so important as searching for a job can become all consuming. It is hard but you must manage your energy levels and switch off, taking time to do the things you enjoy. Don’t spend all day looking for a job. Go for a walk, do some exercise, change your environment. This is often when we come up with our best ideas and solutions.
Final thoughts…
You can easily become a victim of circumstances when applying for jobs, hoping that your ideal job will just present itself.
Accept that it’s only you that’s going to get you another job. Take ownership of your job search. You’re not top of a recruiter’s list of priorities but you are for yourself.
I’m a big believer in creating your own luck. Yes, you can be in the right place at the right time but you’ve put yourself in that situation.
You may not have done it consciously but you’ve created those opportunities by hopefully doing some of the things I’ve discussed.
Try to effect change and make things happen. Being proactive should be a central part of your routine and personal management.
Get populating that spreadsheet with a target list of organisations and decision makers!