By Micki Lewis MS, PCC, CPLP
We say to ourselves, we can do it alone and we don’t need anyone’s help in finding work. Studies have shown just the opposite. We really do need a personal support team handling this huge task- especially in the ever-changing times and our challenging world. Where do you stand on seeking out help?
Below are a few internal commentaries we may be saying to ourselves and/or sharing with others regarding finding a new place to hang your hat – a new position, a new job. Walk through each section and see how much YOU believe them to be true or untrue. Tap into the “Possible Resistance” or limitations you may be putting on yourself: possibly delaying a task or being unable to start it, or being unable to finish. Next, uncover what personal Action Steps you ascertain first, then, evaluate other ideas presented below to see if any resonate with you. The goal is for you to self-motivate and move through your resistance at a faster pace.
YOUR RESUME[1]
You say, “My resume is all set, I know it is good, I don’t need anyone else to look at it.”
Most of us believe we have the best resume on the earth. Unfortunately, there may be an overabundance of information on it. One client shared his 9-page resume – the longest I’ve ever encountered and I’ve personally reviewed over 6000. Additionally, many individuals want to put everything they have on a 1-pager… old school thinking! If you have been in the workforce for many years, the font you use to contain it all in a 1-pager will be too small to read! 2 pages is the norm.
The goal for a resume is to incite interest so they call you to ask additional questions at the interview(s). It’s a marketing tool. You can do a data dump and transcribe each and every accomplishment in your brain –fine – just use it as a working document. Cut that down for each role, do your best to isolate specific accomplishment statements relevant to the position you are applying.
There are numerous approaches to resume writing, not one being the RIGHT way. It can be a combination of several different formats that may possibly work for you. Since it is your resume, it is your decision as to how your resume presents. Your choice!
NOTE: If you are NOT getting many callbacks you must change what you are doing. You may be familiar with this saying: if you are doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result – it is called insanity! If you are at this point for more than a couple of months, I strong recommend reaching out to a professional to definitely get career assistance to start hearing your phone ring or your email chirp!
Possible Resistance
- “I really don’t want to hear other’s opinions of how I need to change it.”
- “I don’t have time to wait, gotta get this resume out!”
Action Steps
- Be open to ideas from others. FYI- This is the most difficult component of job search to realize.
- Seek out mentors, colleagues or people you trust to review your resume offering different points of view.
- Brainstorm ideas with them – Add in your own.
- Choose top 5 and then implement!
SOCIAL MEDIA – LINKED IN
You proudly say, “My LINKED IN profile has the same information on it as my resume.”
Possible Resistance
You believe by having it “all hang out” on LINKED IN – you will get calls.
Action Steps
- What would you want to do first?
- Suggestions: Limit the amount of information denoted on LINKED IN.
- Be sure your main headline and summary represent the work you want to do.
NOTE: It’s best to NOT have everything on LINKED IN – you want them to reach out to you and find out more about you!
ONLINE SEARCHING
You say, “I spending most of my day on the internet looking for jobs.”
Possible Resistance
- I’m comfortable with this approach
- I don’t want to get out and meet people – takes too much time!
Action Steps
- You can easily access the position information – what you do with it NEXT is what is important.
- Research – See if there are people you know you can connect with after you found something.
- Reach out to them and schedule a short meeting to reconnect even just by phone.
NOTE: Remember online submissions are the “black hole” you rarely hear back, if at all!
NETWORKING
Do these remarks sound familiar? You say, “My networking skills are fine. ‘It’s too much work to go out networking.” Or “I really don’t want to bother anyone… it’s a hassle to call people.”
Possible Resistance
- This is not easy for me to do.
- I don’t like to be criticized about what I need to do.
- I’m too embarrassed – I don’t have a job… I hate begging.
Action Steps
- Realizing this is not easy, have a script of words or sentences you want to say as a start to the conversation.
- Ask them about their background first!
NOTE: Research Data has showed the ROI or return on investment of your time, energy and dollars is only about 5% by sending online and possibly up to 10% if you are in the IT field. Results from networking has been proven to be 6 times higher in obtaining a job.
Do you need a Career Coach? The answer is within you and in how you answered the above statements. Do you agree or believe what was shared? What will you do about it?
Personally coaching over 2000 people on their careers, the most important factor to finding work is to become highly aware of who you are and what you offer and to be able to share about yourself in a non- bragging, conversational way.
If you decided you may be looking for some support, are possibly interested in a different point of view, want some education around job search – seek a partnership with a Career Coach.
[1] Please note: Instead of a Resume, some in particular fields such as education field use a CV or Curriculum Vitae as the format for documenting background and experience. CV’s are set up in a different way – usually with education listed first adding in schools, institutions, internships, dates, patents, authored writing, etc. following in sequence. Find a professional or colleague in your field to help you to complete appropriately.