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The Job Search: Ten Steps to Make Your Next Job Better than Ever

I often receive requests for mentorship and connections, especially around resume building and the job search. In my opinion, and as someone who has applied for a job and hired for a job, you are your own greatest salesperson.

Here are ten steps to make sure that your next job is better than ever.

10. Be able to explain, in 30 seconds or less, what you offer. Everyone is a salesperson, and your “pitch” is your set of skills that you identify and prioritize to share with your next potential client or employer. When you know your strengths and build on them, you have the opportunity to speak with authority on what your skills are. What are you the best in the world at? Say what you do with absolute confidence and share that information. “It ain’t braggin’ if you really done it,” said Dizzy Dean.

9. Expand your network of real, live people. Your access to other people will determine the speed and ease with which you find your next gig. Remember that other people usually want to help you, because you also help them: so, in keeping with this idea, find other people who you like. It helps if the people you meet move in slightly different circles: for example, join an investment group, an alumni chapter, a religious organization, sports team, book-reading group, outdoors group, women’s club, political group, community service group, or public speaking group. Expand your networks and expand the number of people who have access to information, contacts, and connections.

8. Specify, specify, specify. For your expanding list of contacts, you hook others’ memories best when you explain, in great detail, the job you are looking for. “Something in healthcare” will get you a vague response. “The night shift medical assistant position at Downtown Local hospital” will get you better results. I must highlight the specificity again: someone will be able to help you when you specify exactly what you are looking for. Make a list of the specific people or positions you must connect with, or make a list of the specific job description or title you want at the specific company or type of company. Share that list with the people in your network.

7. Brush up your resume so it’s up-to-date, well-written, and direct. You have seven seconds to grab the eye of the person you’re sending your resume to. They have a hundred other resumes on their desk. Refine your resume to focus on the actual skills that you bring to the table. What are your skills? What do you do best? List three to five of your top skills in prioritized order. Verbs are best! Explain situations where you “organized,” or “researched” or “developed” or “facilitated” or “invented” or “negotiated” or any other types of verbs. Your resume shows other examples of how you’ve excelled in a similar situation: use it to shine a spotlight on your previous successes.

As an added bonus, have your contact in your extended network forward your resume along to the person in charge of hiring. With someone else advocating for you, your chances of being reviewed increase dramatically.

6. Ask for introductions to people in your field. How much do you actually know about the market, the players, the trends, and the needs? Connect with people over 15-minute coffee breaks, or do a 20-minute informational interview. Respect people’s time, follow up with a thank you note, and inform them when you get that next dream job.

5. Find a mentor. A mentor will assist you in navigating through the steps necessary to excel in your chosen field. A mentor also has extended connections: he or she will be willing to make a few phone calls on your behalf. A mentor is someone with more experience, that you admire, who will help you in your quest.

4. Think about yourself. Who are you? What do you want to do? How do you want to work? I recommend doing the exercises in What Color is your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles. He presents a well-organized, straightforward approach to identifying your top ten skills, which may be helpful if you are uncertain or unsure, or feeling anxious. Do the exercises, then you will be able to speak with authority on what you do best.

3. Focus on up-and-coming, smaller, newer companies. Small businesses (less than $10 million in revenue) and privately-owned companies provide an abundance of jobs, and they typically grow from within.

2. Try before you buy. Offer your services as a subcontractor to start, or work for someone on a temporary or part-time basis while you figure out if it’s a mutual fit. As an independent advisor you have more freedom, and if you like them and they like you, you may begin thinking about committing to a full-time position.

1. Lend a helping hand. Walk with gratitude by volunteering an hour or two a week. Consider volunteering with a local nonprofit or neighborhood association to start: it’s a great way to connect with others during your job search, it keeps you active in the community, and it gives you a focus for that day. Connections you make at your volunteer position may lead to a paid job, too!

BONUS TIPS:

A) I find that signing up with a LinkedIn account and/or Facebook account helped me with new connections. It also may establish your own professional network so you may be of assistance to other job seekers.

B) Do a Google search on yourself and erase all the embarrassing internet details. Take off profanity, nudity, sexual innuendo, general crudeness, drunken photos, etc. Anything you’ve posted will be found!!! Clean up your act!

C) Be brave and courageous: you will find that perfect job. You may wait a while, but as actor Vin Diesel says, “live your Plan A.” Work towards your dreams and follow what your heart is telling you. You might find that the answers are within your reach, when you truly listen to what you need.

D) Remind people that you are looking for a job!! Phone, e-mail, and snail mail your associates. Follow up with additional phone calls and messages. Be firm, resourceful, and creative: and when you find your job, make sure to thank everyone who helped you!