Not “Just Another Job Seeker”
October 11, 2010
In my last post I urged job seekers to GET OUT! A good first step to REPOWERING your job search. But once you’re out… then what?
Your actions should be based on this one simple rule:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” – John C. Maxwell
And when they know how much you care, you are no longer “just another job seeker.” You’re someone worth telling others about.
RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS
Tis true. It’s about much more than just getting out. And while the getting out part is indeed the first step to repowering your search, it’s what you do with the time you spend out there that truly counts.
Once you have made the decision to disconnect from the computer and all the online job boards to attend functions with other live human beings, your goal is to make connections and create mutually beneficial relationships that can help you in life as well as your job search.
Some tips on how.
BE AN EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR.
Don't be THAT guy.
First rule of excellent communications: LISTEN. When you’re out networking make it your goal to be the best listener in the room. Take notes if you need to to remember key conversations and those with whom you spoke. A quick note on the back of the other person’s business card to remind you of that one critical thought or piece of information will prove valuable when trying to recall who said what.
When it is your turn to talk, you have to be exceptionally clear about what you want, what value you — and only you — offer, and be able to articulate this for others to “get it.” Work on honing that 30-second “elevator” pitch to answer “what’s in it for you or other potential employer if you hire me?” Indeed, why YOU over the job search masses?
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES.
While listening you’re bound to pick up on other’s needs that you can fulfill. Even if it’s mowing the lawn for the grandma of the CPA you just met… doing the make-up for the Realtor’s 17-year-old daughter for the big Homecoming dance… teaching an entrepreneur QuickBooks to create a more efficient billing process… Introducing another job seeker to one of your contacts who might help them… The point is listen and find something you can contribute to making the other person’s life a little easier. And if you can fill a need that aligns with the work you are looking for, all the better.
BE THE EXPERT.
Give presentations to local groups. Blog. Post and answer questions on LinkedIn. Rally groups on LinkedIn. All around a topic related to the work you want to do. Tweet about news-worthy industry trends. The more you show you know what you’re talking about, the better. This is especially true when you are trying to make a career transition into a new role or field in which you may not have the most experience of all possible candidates. Just be aware of how you come across. Strive always to provide information that is practical, applicable, useful. Not to puff up your own chest.
CREATE CHAMPIONS.
All this work will pay off as you create “brand champions” for YOUR personal brand. You become “referrable” as a job seeker. Your resume becomes “forwardable” because they like you and want to help. Remember, we all do business with (and hire) those we know, like and trust. Work to establish the relationships and position yourself as the “go to” gal or guy for the work you want to do, and you’ll have people touting you when you’re not even looking.
STAY AUTHENTIC.
The trick here is to be the expert, the one worth referring with personality. When you show a little of who you really are while imparting information your “audiences” can’t live without, you endear yourself in an emotional way. Think Marketing 101: it’s about engaging people on a personal, emotional level so they’ll trust and appreciate the information.
And let’s face it, no job — unless you are truly desperate financially — is worth checking your personality, your strengths and natural talents, your instincts at the door. Can you do it? Sure. I worked for 15 years in a career path that was all wrong both from a functional mismatch standpoint (my strengths were not what the job required) and the cultures I was in didn’t appreciate my goofball personality.
I’d would be happy to share my story in more detail to help underscore the all-importance of this: Stay authentic. No matter what.
