Get Clear -Get Connected – Get a Job
If only getting a job could be as easy as repeating the above mantra three times each morning. The possibility is, it just may be. However, first you would need to have a definite understanding of each part of this mantra.
Let’s Get Clear….
Clearly, you know you are seeking a job, no two ways about it. But, how clear are you on what position you are after and how far you will deviate from it? Making a list of exactly what you are looking for, including hours, size of business (since employees will become your co-workers), market value of the company, style of presence (are you willing to wear a suit and tie every day, all day—or is casual wear your preference?) —oh and your starting pay—will help get you clear.
But also what is necessary is clearing your desk. Yes, I know…housekeeping! In order to have a clear mind, your path needs to be clear as well. Now is the time to purge and straighten so you can move forward through your job hunt challenge. When your desk is clear, there will be nothing getting in your way.
If you haven’t taken a Myers-Briggs® Assessment test in the last couple of years, now is a good time to do it. Interests and skills are changing all the time for each of us.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to take care of your body during the job-hunting process. Sleep, food and exercise. Even though you may not think your mind may not be stressed, your body will be harboring it, so keep moving it to allow release of the anxiety. The exercise will give you a better night’s sleep, too…and will most likely cause you to seek some fuel.
Now, Get Connected….
If you aren’t on LinkedIn with your professional profiles, this is a must. The audience on LinkedIn is typically in the business arena, so do your best to have a presence on LinkedIn..and ‘look good’!
And, then there’s Facebook. Designed as a socializing tool, Facebook is quickly becoming a business networking place. It is technology’s answer to referrals. Bear in mind when on Facebook that everyone and anyone can check and cross-check your friends, your friend’s friends and their friends. A potential employer can easily look at the person you are when socializing and (unfortunately) make a judgment call based on you-having-fun….
The connection highway is overwhelming. There’s Plaxo, Digg, Del.icio.us, furl, newsvine, iMeet, Reddit, Yahoo!Buzz, etc. etc. I’m exhausted just thinking about all the ways a person can get connected. And once you’re connected, in order for it to be productive, you need to stay connected. That’s a lot of work and a heck of a lot of time. It is best to choose one social network and one professional network and work them ‘deeply’ rather than working several ‘wide’. The deeper you can go, the more detailed and stronger it will prove.
Twitter is an excellent way to keep abreast of what possibilities are available. Make sure you let your social and professional networks, both on and off the technology highway know of your job seeking challenge.
Be prepared whenever you are out in the world to give out your contact information. iPhone has an application, Bump, that allows you to transfer information to another iPhone with a ‘bumping’ gesture—as long as the recipient iPhone has the same application. In lieu of that exercise, it would behoove you to have simple business cards on hand with your contact information, including your phone number, email address and line of expertise. You’ll never know what conversation you will hear while standing in line at your local coffee shop. Being prepared is an incredible first impression.
Get a Job….
With a clear mind and desk, a focus on what you are searching to do, a web-based presence and being prepared to hand out your contact information, it’s time for S and M (Search and Market). Linkedin has employers listing opportunities so be sure to reach a bit out of your comfort zone into other professions that have a relationship to what you are looking for. Keep your path open to your Twitter account so your friends and associates will let you know when they hear of any opportunity. And make sure that your personal contact time is in play, too. “Face time is important”.
Take this challenge as a ‘job’ in itself. “Hire” yourself. Put a time block on your daily calendar for job seeking and stick to it. Keep focused and stay determined. If you have the ingredients for being a good employee, there is an employer looking for you. Stay strong and stay directed.
….Debe Bloom ~ Professional Certified Coach
3 Responsesto “Get Clear -Get Connected – Get a Job”
Leave a Reply
In most occassions I do not make comments on blogs, but I have to say that this post really forced me to do so. Really nice post!