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Job Search Advice. It’s The Same Stuff We Learned As Kids.
Sorry if this job search advice sounds preachy. I don’t mean it that way. If it weren’t for the people who break a few key rules, this article would not be necessary.
But because I want you to succeed and because I realize that all of us are prone to mistakes and narcissistic behavior during a search, here are some things to remember.
1. Job search can be stressful but it’s not the end of the world.
When I was a few years younger (OK, I was 28) and had just become a husband, I shared a feeling with a new uncle in-law. “Uncle Mike”, I said, “I’m stressed.” Well, Uncle Mike has lived a bit. A tough rugby player (in his day) from England. His response? He laughed. It turns out that I had a bit to learn about stress. My newly married stress was the tip of the iceberg. My point? Being out of work is a challenging time but it is not something that should alter who you are or how you carry yourself socially or during interviews. Take the long view and use the stress as a motivator.
2. Let’s be honest.
It can be tempting to stretch the truth. People do it all the time on resumes, in cover letters, during networking events and, painfully, in interviews. Why painfully? Because it does more damage than good - especially in the long term. In a past article, I spoke about not disguising your true self. So, review your resume and, yes, make sure you are your biggest cheerleader. But, don’t give yourself credit for things you didn’t do or awards you didn’t earn. Tose are likely not what you will be hired for anyway.
3. Try a little kindness along the way.
During your job search, there will be plenty of people to step on or walk over. Folks who have become stuck and need a fresh perspective, a leg up or some friendly advice. But, you might say, “who am I to deliver that value? I’m in the same boat!” In my opinion you are uniquely qualifed for just that reason. Your advice comes from recent experience and your leads come from qualifed recruiters or hiring managers. If you want to help someone, they are easy to fnd at a networking event. Look for the deer in the headlights people over by the bar. Want an easy way to help? Download the Watchlyst™ from my free tools page and easily track the job objectives of those people in your network.
4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Respect the time of hiring managers and recruiters. You do this by realizing that they have full-time jobs along with plenty of other candidates to review. Get your candidacy strongly placed in front of them and then back of. Daily e-mails to check your status are not going to get you in any sooner. Respect the reputation of your network. If someone has provided a lead to you, please don’t abuse it. And please don’t suggest that you have a stronger relationship with this person then you actually enjoy. Respect fellow job seekers by giving them the benefit of your experience - even if you are 10 years their senior. You never know where that next lead will come from, right?
So, these are four things I learned early on in life. Sometimes we all need a reminder to follow them again at certain times. And job search is a great time to do so.
What lessons do you follow? And what rules do you see being broken out there?