Archive | Finding a Job

Build Ties That Bind

In our last issue we encouraged you to `expand your networking’ and said it was –

 `more than attending a `networking function’ and exchanging business cards.  

It is about connecting!’

This is such an important job-searching activity, we’re repeating it and offering some additional thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this issue. This is about alliances and partnerships.

In her bestseller, Going to the Top, author Carol Gallagher says, “skip playing to the crowds …  too many relationships are often too shallow to be meaningful or even helpful,” she adds.   She suggests that “alliances are far better relationships for success”.  It’s about `building bonds’ [which] we can do by:

Helping out – offer and work collaboratively on others projects and tasks

Reaching out – help others when they really need it

Being consistent – build good relationships with your subordinates and peers; they’re your support base

Being disciplined – be well organized; develop your contacts; keep appointments; follow-through

Being prepared – attend networking meetings selectively; have a plan for `working the room’

Seeking advice – mentoring flows both ways; seek and benefit from others experience and wisdom

Being a source – be a `go to’ person; develop and share your expertise; and be someone who gets things done

Additionally, she suggests “getting a website … drawing people in, bullet-pointing your achievements, and linking others to your resume, work samples, and testimonials”.  Please note:  your Linked-in account may help serve this function … this is becoming a `resume’ and your `introduction and/or brand’ and should be a professional summary of your qualifications..  Remember, it is important to use common sense in `your’ postings to Facebook and other social media tools.

The lyrics of John Fawcett’s hymn, Blessed be the Tie that Binds, describe optimum human relationships as “kindred minds … joined in heart” and challenge us to faith and hope and action.

With whom have you found such relationships through the many seasons and experiences?

Who else can you discover and add to your circle of friends … support … partnerships … alliances?

Study and practice the alliance techniques of partnering and networking:

Help out, reach out, and assist others.

Use your `References’ as a good place to start by asking and using:

• the important questions – `who else’ and `what else’
• the method – Ask for Two … names and suggestions
• Listen and reflect and take action.

Cast a Wider Net

It’s been said, “There does seem to be a way to speed up the process of looking for a job …

Broadening your perspective may be the fastest way to a new position.”

Are you interested in casting a wider net?   Here are some ideas and action steps for your consideration:

Transfer skills to a new industry.  We’ve encouraged you to identify your success profile/attributes (your talents, personality traits and achievements) and to use them in your documents and interviews.  Consider your key qualifications and the skills and abilities which are transferrable:  start with communications and its many facets:  written, verbal, non-verbal; then look at problem-solving, which has been described as the `most important’ skill that employers are seeking [this is a reminder that solution-bringers are more attractive to employers than are problem-bringers].  Other important, desired traits sought by most hiring managers include:  dependability, ability to get along with people, and a positive, cooperative nature.  You can leverage these and other skills and traits with your personal examples and brief stories.

Transition to a new job function within your industry.  Whether your background is technical, mechanical, administrative, sales, service, or financial … there are other options.  Most fields are broad with many aspects such as sales (from retail to consultative and high tech to low tech).  Engineers, for instance, are schooled in particular disciplines and with advanced learning and experiences find themselves specializing or branching into other disciplines such as mechanical and chemical to electric,  electronic, and process management.  They also may find themselves being sought for positions in `other departments/worlds’ such as finance or human resources or business development.  Stepping `off the path/highway’ onto another one can be both challenging and difficult; it can also be rewarding and fulfilling.

Expand your networking and add to your network.  This is fundamentally the most effective way to find that new position/job. In our work with clients, we find that expanding personal networks is something often difficult and challenging.  It is more than attending a `networking function’ and exchanging business cards.   It is about connecting!  We welcome your questions about `networking’ and trust that with discussion and dialogue and practice, you will benefit just like a client, who said recently, “It works … got me back to work!”

Remember, to look up and out.  Consider alternative job and career possibilities, make new contacts, and try different approaches (on the phone, in-person, and in your research and planning).  Most importantly, maintain your positive attitude and your persistence and focus on finding the `open door’ or `window’.