You are aware that finding work that is rewarding and long-lasting takes planning, preparation and persistence.
It also takes organization, motivation, a lot of time and energy, a positive outlook, and critical decision-making. In summary, you must also have patience, yet be persistent.
Your ” job” at this trying time is to sell yourself to potential employers. You must promote yourself as a productive worker. You have abilities that an employer can use. You are marketing your skills, your ability to learn, and your willingness to help an employer succeed. Maintaining a positive outlook throughout your job search may require some extra effort.
Review important information about yourself or your portfolio. Remind yourself that you are a valuable member of society. Make sure you exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and stay in contact with your immediate support group of family and friends. Using these and other tools will help you stay positive and be at your best.
So what can you do when you read about hiring freezes, layoffs that crowded the field of available candidates, and long, dragged-out interviews when an opportunity does appear? In this tough environment, you can still find excellent opportunities under the radar.
Here are some doable steps (in 3 parts) to help you wage a winning job search right now.
Part One: Who are you, and who needs what you have?
Create your own personal brand. Give yourself a “time out” to reflect on your special mix of job skills and personal qualities. How can you piece this puzzle into your own unique brand, one you can spell out in a tag line about yourself?
Naming your own brand can help shape your resume, your cover letter and your “elevator pitch,” a 30-second, easily worded sales pitch you can slip into any chat with people of influence.
Your brand should be head-turning and offer a solution to the market you’re targeting. When companies are cutting expenses, you can position yourself as an investment that pays back.
Demonstrate results. How can you prove you can add value? If you’ve made a name for yourself growing sales, reducing overhead, winning new clients or raising profit margins, highlight these features on your resume and during interviews.
Show your potential employer how you’ll apply your know-how to create value-driven solutions that translate to the company’s bottom line.
Expand your reach. In this tight market, traditional networking doesn’t go far enough. You need a better approach to connect with decision-makers.
Think about developing relationships, not just leads and contacts. Network to build contacts within the industry you prefer – plus competing and complementary industries.
Try joining a social network site such as LinkedIn and see who knows someone at a company you might like. Ask them to introduce you.
Also, contact former classmates and teachers, and start speaking up on Internet discussion boards.
Part Two: Build your foundation so you can stand tall
What is your game plan? Designing a doable plan of action is what the doctor ordered to keep your morale high. Take a look around. Which industries are healthy and growing, and where could you see yourself thrive? Making lists can help you settle down and focus. This list is important.
One week at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Each Monday morning, you can choose goals for the number of contacts you’ll call, industry or social events you can attend (for free if possible) and how many face-to-face meetings you can land.
Good news: President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan will create new, relatively high-paying jobs in renewable energy, education, health care and construction.
How to increase your success rate? Get organized. Make yourself a splashy, colorful progress log or Excel chart to record each person you contacted, met with personally, when you talked, who said what, and your follow-up actions. This step matters. By keeping systematic records, you’ll create a network of valuable contacts to use on your new job and beyond.
Can you become the rainmaker? Even if you feel fearful or confused right now, make up your mind to be a lifelong learner. Imagine yourself the go-to woman who knows about industry trends, keeps up with technology and gets comfortable talking to colleagues of any age.
Online webinars and tutorials can keep you current on skills and abilities now in demand. Update your online presence regularly to position yourself as a thought leader, cost-saver, turnaround artist or innovator.
Part Three: Stay on the sunny side
Be flexible. Employers need executives with problem-solving skills grounded in experience. In difficult times, many companies outsource to fill the gaps.
Are you willing to sign on as a consultant? This could lead to a full-time offer. Freelancing, telecommuting and flexible work options become more feasible as employers strive to meet fluctuating workloads.
Use your negotiating skills to create new work options that meet their needs. Remember, “No” doesn’t always mean “Never.”
Lend a helping hand. Women instinctively reach out to help each other. Follow your instincts to offer support, share search tips and introduce colleagues also searching for new opportunities. Stay in touch with your network contacts and exchange information and advice.
By becoming that go-to source, you might be the first to receive word of a position that could be perfect for you.
Volunteer. Regular volunteering is the single strongest predictor of health and longevity. Being passionate about a cause and proactive helping others is rewarding not just for you but for your community. Show future employers your volunteer skills are immediately transferable to the job you desire.
Your optimism will win the day. Everyone can sink down into the dumps during a job search. But every morning, think of what you can do today to move your job campaign one notch ahead. Turn to trusted friends and family for pep talks and reassurance. Take time out to reward yourself and practice powerful stress releasers like yoga or meditation. Walking, jogging, swimming and other aerobic workouts can reenergize and restore you.
Remember: Target organizations where you can be most useful and look for opportunities to emphasize how you can add value to the bottom line. By knowing what drives you, where you excel and how your personal brand can make a positive difference, you can stand out from the crowd.
Source: Carol Malysz, VP, New Directions Inc., a Boston career consulting firm