5 ESSENTIAL JOB SEARCH TOOLS
Employing these five tools in your Job Search Toolbox? If not, do so today
Often, when I am contacted for the first time by a job seeker, they are frustrated. They’re often frustrated because A) they are not getting the calls they want from their resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn and/or B) they’re not converting interviews into offers and/or C) they seem lost and aren’t sure what they really want to do next.
During my initial free telephone consultation with these folks, by asking a lot of questions, I uncover why they’re struggling. I then present a plan to get them where they want to be, they agree, and my work begins. These exchanges, including a handful of calls I had yesterday, got me this thinking that I ought to write a short column about the five most common “tools” in the “toolbox” that I see a lot of job seekers not using. So away we go:
#1 “The Networking Tool” – Too frequently I’ll learn job seekers are spending way too much time online applying for jobs and not nearly enough time networking. Letting colleagues, family, friends, and classmates know you’re looking for work is essential – they know you and know you do great work. So don’t be timid in re-connecting, even if you haven’t done so in a while. Don’t suffer from “but I haven’t spoken to him/her in a while” and “paralysis by over-analysis/overthinking” syndrome. Ok, so you haven’t spoken with your colleague in a year or two – don’t overthink it, life goes by fast, it happens to all of us! Make the call, text, email – if this person know you do great work and respects you, they want to help – but you must ask!
#2 “The Accomplishments/Solution Provider Tool” – It’s human nature for a job seeker to develop tunnel vision with their job search. For example, they’ll write their own resume, thinking, “I did the work. How hard can this be?” So they’ll note their “experience.” However, as I often say, “experience is only as good as results achieved.” So, for example, a resume that reads “15 years of experience” with a bunch of fluffy soft skills and then just lists bulleted tasks/responsibilities – without accomplishments noted – isn’t painting you as a solution provider! Keep it simple, logical, and practical: the employer has a problem – they need to fill a position. Therefore, be sure your entire job search reeks of you being THE solution provider for them. So, if you won “Employee of the Month,” explain why – let your accomplishments tell the story of why you are THE solution provider! Folks, it’s not bragging if it’s a fact and if it’s a fact it’s not in dispute! Be the noise they can’t ignore.
#3 “The Why I Am The BEST Solution Provider Tool” – at the end of the day, most often only one person is landing the job. I’ll get a call from a job seeker frustrated because they’re securing interviews but not offers. And they’re paying me to figure out why. So, during a mock interview session, I’ll discover that often clients simply aren’t differentiating themselves succinctly from their competition. And I know this because A) I’ll have them email me the job description before our session and B) I’ll often ask several questions before our session to ensure I understand what the employer really wants in its next candidate (frankly, a lot of times the job description doesn’t reveal this). Certainly, a connection to the hiring manager helps, yet mostly the candidate that ultimately lands the offer has determined the employers “pain points” and has provided a detailed plan during the actual interviewing process to come in and kick some serious butt! Let your plan make them feel too guilty NOT to offer you the job. Yes, your past accomplishments are great, why are you the BEST to help us NOW? If you can’t answer this, mayday mayday you need help. One of my favorite quotes: “You can't be common, the common man goes nowhere; you have to be uncommon.” – Herb Brooks
#4 “The Heart/Personality Tool” – I’ve been doing this for so many years, when a job seeker is particularly frustrated, I can just sense it in their voice over the telephone before they even say so. Or in an email. Last night though was an obvious one: “I am so tired of trying to find a job. It is very depressing.” Look, I get it. Searching for a job can suck – and it’s stressful. But take a back step for a second here – why do you do what you do for a living? What do you love about your job? If the answer is nothing, you need to find a new job or career and I’ll happy to assist with that transition. Yet you see my point here, right? Let your heart and personality flow, not just during the interviewing process. Bring it out on your LinkedIn profile, in your cover letter, and resume. At the end of the day, employers want to hire great talent – but especially great talent that loves what they do! Wear your heart on your sleeve!
#5 “The Do-I-Know-What I’m Worth? Tool” – A week or so back a client hired me to help him with negotiating with his new employer on compensation. He was making a cross-country move. Come to find out the client hadn’t done enough homework to determine his true worth based on the job location, title, industry, and competitive landscape. You can’t negotiate if you don’t know what you’re worth. I was able to get the client righted and it leads me to offer these tips – don’t just rely on one or two salary websites to determine your worth. Go deeper. Much deeper. Visit up to four. And really study the geographic market where you’ll be working. Talk to recruiters, hiring managers, anyone that knows the market and industry. How long has the company been seeking to fill the position? Who are its chief competitors? And always remember, if you get an offer, you have more leverage than they do – they just tipped their hand, they want you!
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