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For Job Seekers
7 Steps to Your Next Great Job:
How to stay focused and motivated on your job search
Let's face it - times are challenging right now. Whether you have recently been let go, or are in career transition, now more than ever you need to stay focused and motivated on your job search. Companies are letting employees go across the country. Learn these 7 critical success factors that will help you stay focused and motivated and watch the results show up.
Unfortunately, many companies have had to cut very dedicated, hard-working, well respected and highly qualified workers. With fewer jobs and a high volume of candidates you have to be clear on what you are looking for and go above and beyond the call of duty. This time is not for the faint of heart and will surely test your motivation and focus.
When you sit down to get focused on your job search, how often do you think of a million other things you'd rather be doing? You are not alone! I used to think focus was a 4-letter word, but I have come to see the value in focusing on what will give me the biggest bang for the buck so that I'm getting the greatest return on my investment.
After working with hundreds of individuals in career transition, I share with you the seven critical success factors (CSF's) that helps them stay focused and motivated on their job search. I invite you to try each one on and notice a shift in your job search.
CSF #1: Make clear and specific requests
If I were networking with you and at the end of the conversation, I asked you to keep me in mind if you know of any positions in Sales, what's the likelihood you would get back to me? VERY unlikely! Why, because your request is vague, passive and there is no call to action. Now, what if I asked you instead: "Can you give me the name of 1 person you know in Sales who is VP level or higher?" would you be more likely to respond? I will guarantee this; you will start to think about who you know.
When you make a specific request, there is a higher likelihood of getting a response because the mind works much faster with specifics. So, instead of asking "Do you know anyone..." ask "Do you know 2 people who.." Try it out and see how your level of responses increases. Include specifics of job/title/role/industry/company as well. And, when you do get specific names, be sure to follow up with, "Would you be willing to introduce me to them?" Don't let them forward your info to them as there is no guarantee it will go anywhere and if they forward their info to you, there is no guarantee they will get back to you when you follow-up. Ask them for a formal introduction as it creates an opening for you to follow-up directly. Try it out and see what results you produce!
CSF #2: Focus on "Building Relationships and helping others" vs. being attached to "Getting the Job"
Think about the last action you took as a job seeker. Now, imagine going back and doing it again, but coming from the perspective of "I'm here to build a relationship, get to know you and find out what you need". How would the interaction be different? How different might the result be? When we become so attached to "getting a job" and "how can this person help me get a job", we are actually more likely to miss the target because our obsession takes over.
Focus more on the things that help lead you to the result and you are more likely to reach it. When your intention is on building relationships your attention moves from you to the other person (so much more relieving) and suddenly, you are more curious about them, what they are up to and how you can help them. Inevitably, when we focus on the other, and have our intention be to help them, it will come back to us two-fold. Are you willing to keep the perspective of building relationship and helping the other as your primary intention? Try it out and I guarantee you will feel more relaxed, less stressed and enjoy helping someone else. And, remember, when they are clear on what you are looking for, they will think of you first.
CSF #3: Honor your curiosity
How often, in your search, do you come across a really interesting job - one that may be outside of the area you are thinking of and each time you go back to focus, you find yourself wanting to learn more about that "other" area? Next thing you know, 2 hours later, you are now going down a different path. It is natural for our minds and interests to wonder and wander. It's important to notice when it happens and to stay focused on your original intention while honoring your curiosity.
Here's a way to handle this situation as it comes up. Set a goal of what you are looking for. When you find things that interest you, but they are outside of your goal, save the link or info and categorize it in a "curiosity" folder. Then go back to your original goal. To honor your curiosity, set aside 1-2 hours every week to review your "curiosity" folder (set a timer to help you time-box it). This way, you honor your curiosity while staying focused on your search. There is a reason why you get curious so it's important to allow yourself to explore that. You never know where it could lead you. When you don't set aside time to explore those areas, you will actually take more energy away from your search wondering or thinking about it. So, instead of fighting it, pay attention to it and see what happens!
CSF #4: Step out of your comfort zone
How do you network today? Are there some groups of people in your life you feel are not appropriate to network with for your job search? Are there places you believe are not appropriate? I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and instead of assuming someone can or cannot help you, imagine that they may not be able to help you directly, but someone in their network could (visualize their entire Verizon network in back of them :-). For example, If you enjoy playing music on the side, but feel that your musician friends wouldn't be able to help you with your search for a business analyst job, you are mistaken. You never know who they know. And, you won't know until you step out of your comfort zone and share what you are up to with EVERYONE you know. This is not the time to be selective with your network. People want to help and the more they know what you are looking for, the higher the probability they can assist.
So, notice the assumptions you make about how you are searching and who you are networking with. For each assumption you make that shuts down a possibility, challenge yourself and your comfort zone and take the leap to open that possibility up. It is often when we step out of our comfort zone that the unexpected opportunity arises.
CSF #5: Set doable weekly intentions and actions
Disappointment can often occur when we set unrealistic goals or goals that are too vague or high level. In addition, we create daily actions that take much longer than a day or week to complete. Then, we get frustrated each time we move it from one to-do list to the next one and never see it coming off our list. Each time we see the same actions week after week, it actually drains a piece of your energy and over time, sucks the life right out of you.
Each week, write down specific intentions - results you want to achieve by week's end. For example, 3 new companies are identified that fit my criteria, I conduct 2 informational interviews, network with 5 new people and I create a new version of my resume. Then, write down specific actions you would need to take to reach each of your intentions. Lay your actions out across your week and most importantly, be sure that each action can be done in one sitting. For example, instead of having an action called "Update my resume", which you (and everyone else I know) will avoid to no end, have one action be "Update the objective of my resume", "Update the key summary in my resume" and "Customize the 3 jobs in my resume". If each action cannot be done in one sitting, you will look at it and not do it because it is daunting. When your intentions and actions are more realistic and doable, you will stay more motivated and feel more optimistic to take them on.
CSF #6: Stay energized by doing what you love
When your attitude wavers or you lose motivation and focus over time, it can greatly impact how you appear to the outside world. Even if you put a smile on your face and "appear" that things are ok, potential employers and those you network with will pick up on it. Keep your attitude and energy in check by continuing to do the things you love.
When you feel your energy down, stop and switch gears, even if just for 10 minutes. Do something you love that brings you alive and gives you energy. It could be as small as petting your cat to taking a short walk, to going to the movies, or a museum. The idea is to get your mind off of what you were doing and engage is something that brings you joy. This will bring you back to a more positive state where you will increase your ability to attract. When our energy is negative, we actually stop the flow of good coming to us and begin to attract the people and things that align with that negative energy. So, it's better to stop what you are doing, allow yourself to take a break to do what you love and trust that it will benefit you in the long run. From that energized place, you will feel better and be more motivated to get back to your search. Other people will also want to be around you more.
CSF #7: Don't go it alone
It's easy to feel alone and isolated during your job search, especially when you are at home online, secluded from others. That's fine for focused periods of time, but 65%-85% of jobs come through networking, building relationships and connecting with others. Do not go it alone! There are so many other people you can connect with who are in the same situation and looking for that camaraderie. Create focus groups, focus calls, accountability buddies, ways to stay connected and on-track on a frequent basis. Ask for support from your friends, significant others and family and make a commitment to only surround yourself by those who energize you, help you stay positive and fully support you.
I wish you all the best on your job search and know that when you stay focused, energized and committed to what you truly want, it will come to you. If, along the way, you are looking for additional support or simply have a question about the job search, feel free to call me at 617-489-7494 or email jdigi@thinkpeople.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jean M. DiGiovanna is founder of ThinkPeople, a Consulting and Coaching firm specializing in authentic leadership, effective teamwork and professional & personal growth. Jean is a Certified Professional Coach, Speaker, Facilitator and Trainer with over 17 years of experience. She delivers workshops, seminars and training courses in the areas of communication, coaching and personal and professional development. Jean has a unique gift for shifting people’s perspective of what’s possible empowering them to break through their greatest challenges to achieve what matters most. She has spoken both nationally and internationally on life and business strategies and her work has been described as life-changing. Jean is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), a member of the International Coaches Federation (ICF) and was named one of the Top Ten Coaches of Boston by Women’s Business Boston in 2007.
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