YOUR STRATEGY AND MINDSET
Finding a new job can be hard. The reality is that the competition high. It’s possible you might be competing against people in another part of the country or even in another country.
If you’re going to succeed fast you need a strategy and it should be waiting to be found and chosen or sending your CV to everyone for any job. This approach is likely to get you silence than responses and this is frustrating and takes the wind out of your sails.
This booklet offers a different approach. It will help you stay positive and taking deliberate action. It will make you proactive and productive so you can stand out from the crowd and find your new role faster.
FUNDAMENTALS
Businesses have problems they want to solve. Managers are looking for someone with the right knowledge, skills and experience to fix their problem. Above that there is just one consideration – ‘Do I like you’.
The truth is we all make most decisions based on our emotions and justify them logically. This means that
while you need to have the skills it can come down to ‘do you like me and do I like you’.
So be likeable and think about the image you want to project. Tip – we tend to like people who are like us. Look through your online world and ask yourself if you’re projecting the right image. Clean up anything that suggests you’re not right for this role. It’s too easy not to look people up before you invite them for an interview.
One way we know if you’re like me is the the words you use. So use words that reflect the knowledge and experience you have and the industry your in. Take it a step further and consider the organisation you’re applying to.
THE JOB SEEKERS SCHEDULE
If you’re going to find a new role fast you need to be organised. That means scheduling your day. You need the important tasks to be in your diary. Fill your diary with tasks and conversations. Make tasks specific and conversations focused. Work from your calendar and don’t get derailed.
Every aspect of this guide should be in your diary and you should use any additional time to learn something new that gives you a better edge.
Most people don’t do this. You’re not most people and this will give you an edge.
Remember – What gets scheduled gets done!
TARGET ORGANISATIONS
It’s really hard to hit a target you can’t see so you should have a list of your top 15 -20 target companies. Schedule a time when you’re going to do that.
Think about the cultural fit and your personality. Be honest – is this the right place for you and does it match your values. Only focus on companies that are right for you. You don’t want to start another search because you’re a round peg in a square hole.
Connect with employee’s at the organisations and start a conversation. Learn about the organisation, get connected to more people through them.
Lots of companies have referral programs so you can ask for a referral – win/win. There might not be a role right now but you’ve started a relationship that will increase your chances.
Subscribe to companies career board / mailing list.
YOUR CV
There are loads of templates and style guides online so I’m not going to recreate them here but here are other things to consider.
Increase your chances with the right key words. Find 5 job descriptions online for roles you would really like to be considered for. Go through them and highlight the key words. Check you have these key words in your CV because it will increase you chances of being found and being considered.
Refine your CV with the keywords for specific roles you’re applying for. Look deeper and consider the language used. Remember this is a good way to get them thinking you’re like them.
Save time creating a CV for each role by crafting a master CV, a CV you can delete section from – It’s more efficient.
Consider a number of ‘masters’ to showcase different elements.
Remember, the employer has a problem they want you to fix. Make it easy for them by demonstrating what you can do for them, not necessarily what you have done. It’s subtle but powerful.
You should have a profile on LinkedIn. Your profile should showcase your personal brand. Bring who
you are to the profile, albeit in a considered, if not professional way. Stand out.
Use all the fields to add all the key words from your industry, not just use the fields for what the label suggests.
Create content and contribute. Share what you know and what you believe. Offer something new and been seen as an expert.
Join groups and collaborate on the things you care about.
Ask your connections for endorsements and recommendations.
Make sure recruiters can see that you’re open for new roles.
Track the number of searches you show up in, for what and whom. Revisit the key words and refine. Track it weekly.
Schedule when you’ll do the work on LinkedIn
RECRUITERS
Make a list top 5 recruiters in your industry. Connect with them and have a conversation that sells you.
When a role comes up they’ll remember you more from a conversation than they will a CV.
Check in regularly and use their knowledge to enhance your strategy.
JOB BOARDS
Where do your dream companies post jobs. These are the sites you want to be on.
Be efficient and get your job search criteria tight and specific. Refine it as you go but don’t exhaust yourself trawling 100’s of roles daily.
Schedule when you will do you job board work.
YOUR NETWORK
Get the people you know working for you. Past colleagues, bosses, employees, all of them. Connect and have a conversation. Share that you’re looking for a role and ask for their help – a recommendation, endorsements a referral. Remember to reciprocate.
Get yourself to other networking events, and not just those for people looking for Jobs. Ask yourself – What events and conferences represent my industry – these are places you should be. Connect with people and build your network.
