Give to Get during Networking

Networking is an important part of the job search. We've all heard the statistics that 70% or more of jobs are found through networking. Whether it’s online networking or face-to-face networking, it’s important for job-seekers to give when networking. 

Many job-seekers have reported feeling uncomfortable asking someone for help. Does this sound like you? Do you feel you have nothing to give in return? To turn this around, I encourage you to first ask your networking contact how you can help him/her. This will give you an opportunity to add value to the relationship immediately. You could then provide a suggestion or a referral, whatever is appropriate. Once you have helped the contact, you will feel more comfortable asking the contact for help. Always ask the contact who else he/she knows that you should talk too. This will help to continue expanding your network. 

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Network into Your Next Job

A job search can feel overwhelming at times. You don't need to do it alone. Your network can help take some of the "work" out of your search.

Getting Clear

It's important to let your network know that you are in a job search. They can't help you if they don't know! And, without clearly defined job targets, i.e., specific positions, industries, and companies you are seeking, it can be even harder for your network to help. When asked what job(s) they are targeting, job-seekers often tell me, "I'm open. I'll work for any company or industry." While that may be true, the more focused you are, the better your job search, the easier you make it for others to help you.

Feedback

Your network can provide you feedback on your job search techniques and refer you to other individuals or organizations. They can also offer insight into a new position, field, or industry if you are contemplating a job or career change. And, your network can share with you what it's like to work at a particular company.

Hidden Job Market

Many job openings aren't advertised. Considered the "hidden job market," it's your job to uncover those leads. Employers oftentimes go to their employees for referrals when trying to fill an open position. Imagine if your name was recommended, it clearly puts you in front of other candidates. I encourage my clients to create a list of target companies and then do an advanced search on LinkedIn to identify contacts that work at those companies. Oftentimes it's your second level contacts that are going to be most helpful in your search. Ask your first level contacts to introduce you to your second level contacts that work at your target companies.

Volunteering

Harvey MacKay, business guru and author of Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door and Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty, encourages those just laid-ff to immediately start volunteering. Consider volunteering on a high-profile fundraising event for a local charity. Not only will it allow you the opportunity to develop or fine-tune your leadership, fundraising, and/or speaking skills, it will give you a chance to network with people in high places. It will also give you a reason to get out of the house and make you feel much better.

Are your Sundays Spent Dreading Mondays?

Do you enjoy your work? Are your Sundays spent dreading Mondays OR do you look forward to getting up each week day? Since yesterday was Labor Day, I thought this topic would be fitting.

On average we spend 40 to 46 years of our life working. With work consuming a large chunk of our day and our life, why not be doing something we enjoy? For many people, little thought was put into their career choice. Some may think that work is not supposed to be enjoyable, and yet others may have outgrown their career. With so much of your time devoted to work, why not find a career that brings you passion? The first step in finding work that works for you is a thorough self-assessment. This assessment includes looking at your personality, interests, skills, values, financial needs, and lifestyle.

What Type are You?

Various theorists believe there are sixteen different personality types. For each of these personality types, an individual has natural preferences (i.e., certain things just feel more natural or comfortable than others). For example, while one person may be more suited toward working alone, another may prefer working in a team environment. What one person may like doing, another might find boring. If you like expressing your creativity, sitting behind a desk answering phones all day may not match your personality style. It’s important to take stock of what type of work and work setting you prefer, and the type of people with which you prefer to interact.

Where Do Your Interests Lie?

What are your career interests? If you already have some ideas, great! Your next step is to determine which ones are in alignment with your personality, skills, and values and then research those options. If, however, you are unclear where your interests lie, you need to do your homework. One effective exercise involves thinking back over your life and choosing five activities you did well, enjoyed doing, and the time flew by while doing them. These are your success stories.  This exercise can include work and non-work related activities, including childhood experiences. These memories may uncover activities you may want to include in your next career. Perhaps you volunteered on an election campaign and thoroughly loved it. You might want to consider politics as one career avenue to explore.

Transferable Skills

Utilizing the skills that you are good at and enjoy are important considerations for career satisfaction. Don’t limit yourself to work-related skills. Throughout your life you have also gained new skills from hobbies, volunteer experiences, and internships. These skills are called transferable skills.  In other words, these skills can be transferred from one job to another and one career to another. Examples of such skills include implementing, supervising, planning and organizing, physical activity, and selling. If you like being active and are good at working with your hands, a construction job may be one option to explore.

Work Values

Another important factor in career satisfaction is compatible work values. Work values are those principles that are important to you in a job. They are valued so highly that they influence your life’s decisions or behaviors. Work values include advancement, status, security, and helping society. If you want your evenings and weekends free, a career as a corporate executive requiring extensive travel may not be a good fit.  Individuals early in their career may have valued advancement and status, successfully climbing the corporate ladder.  Now at mid-life, some of these same individuals are reassessing those values with either a desire to spend more time with their family and friends, or with an interest in leading a less hectic lifestyle.

Generating Career Options 

Once you have completed a comprehensive self-assessment, you are ready to generate possible career opportunities. Possibilities may include changing your career, a new commitment to your current position, or a lifestyle change. After you have compiled a list, you will research your options. Research can be accomplished by reading and conducting informational interviews. The next step is evaluating your options and deciding which one(s) to pursue. Finally, you can begin self-marketing through networking, resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. The career of your dreams can happen. Don’t give up!