I remember a few months ago getting an email from a student at one of our local universities asking what are the secrets of getting a job, any job. My response was that he should not only be looking for just any job but rather searching for a job that you have admired and are passionate about. If you remember an article we did about ‘the truth about the corporate world’ then you can appreciate that the job market is a big monster if you can avoid then you will be better off. If you get capital, please start a business you are passionate about. I am not advising you away from job hunting but sometimes even to get that capital you need to work.
Everyone looks forward to the day he will be independent but you must start somewhere and that is why today we want to share the secrets of a successful job search. If you already have a job it may be very hard for you to dedicate many hours to a job search but if you are not, then you have all the time for getting the right job. Whether you have a job or not then this advice is for you. Searching for a job is not easy in this economic climate and thus you need a very positive mindset. Ever heard the phrase that we are what we think?
Here are a few pointers to a successful job search:
1. How you think is everything: Always be positive, think success not failure, and be aware of a negative environment. Think of a job search as the process of selling and marketing yourself as a product to the customer-employers. The best way to sell you is to have a passionate belief in the product, namely you, and then prepare, package and promote yourself based on that belief. A successful job search starts with mental preparation: focusing on a positive outcome, letting go of old workplace grievances and developing a mental and written check-list of your key accomplishments, talents and abilities. Nobody is perfect and we are often harder on ourselves than anyone else would be. Negative thoughts get in the way of positively packaging, promoting and marketing us. A job seeker who is prepared with positive, solid answers to questions about previous work experience, their qualifications, top of the list strengths and weaknesses makes the best impression.
2. Decide upon your true dreams and goals: Write down specific goals and develop a plan to reach them. Going job hunting without an action plan and a clear set of goals is like running cross-country without a map, it can take a lot longer and you might not end up where you had originally intended. Initially, a good job search entails setting up a plan to reach the goal of a new job at a specific date. The next step is to develop a month by month, week by week schedule of things to do, and people to see. Researching and targeting 10-20 companies, developing a networking list of contacts requires a systematic, well-planned approach. Job search goals are realized when clearly identified and an action plan is developed to achieve them.
3. Take action: Goals are nothing without an action. Don’t be afraid to get started, just do it. Dreams stay unrealized because fear and worry about what could happen keeps many people from moving on from unsatisfying positions and unfulfilling situations. Career and job search plans have to be acted on to succeed. The fear of the unknown and the ambiguity of the job search process cannot deter us from getting started. When we move on our plans and just do it, the discovery of our own inner courage is the bonus.
4. Never stop learning: Go back to school or read books, get training, acquire skills. Staying ahead of new methodologies and technologies with life-long learning/ training and new skill acquisition is now a career survival skill. Demonstrating this to prospective employers in your resume and during an interview gains you credibility as well.
5. Be persistent and work hard: Success is a marathon not a sprint, never give up. If we all found the perfect job, applied for it and were hired the first time out the gate, wouldn’t life be grand? HR executives generalize that a typical job search runs an average of 3-6 months, nationally, depending on position level and demand for the skill-set. The typical job seeker will mail out countless resumes, get phone screens, 1st and 2ndround interviews in multitude, many rejections and even several offers before landing the right position. It is most usually a marathon and only a sprint when you luck out. Perseverance, persistence and determination are essential attributes to job search success.
6. Learn to analyze details: Get all the facts, all the input, learn from your mistakes. A typical interview question is “Why would you like to work for us?” and companies listen carefully for the answer. They are looking for a well thought out reply that shows a real interest in who they are and a demonstrated desire to work for them. Only significant research on the company and fact-finding on its corporate culture will help avoid many wrong job choices and career mistakes. There is nothing worse than not having all the details, facts and information about a potential employer at the top of mind when having an employment conversation.
If you are a careful follower of Us then by now you know that the more you sound credible, knowledgeable during interviews, the more desirable candidate you become. You have to be sharp and if you are not then appear to be. Imagine yourself as an HR guy interviewing! What will you want to hear from your interviewee? Then tell your interviewer that. It is important to have knowledge about not only your employer but the industry that he operates in. This calls for extensive research around this area.
In the above pointers we also failed to mention that you should never give up. Basically this was a motivational article and if you give it a straight thought, live it and behave it, you will be lucky. Stay positive and always have positive thoughts.
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