Once you’ve arrived at the “do-it” stage in job search, tell others about your goal to search for a new job. If others are continually asking about your progress, you’ll be more committed. One hundred percent of all people looking for jobs feel that…
Once you’ve arrived at the “do-it” stage in job search, tell others about your goal to search for a new job. If others are continually asking about your progress, you’ll be more committed. One hundred percent of all people looking for jobs feel that they are alone in this effort; but that’s not true. There are people out there who want to help and who can help you. What’s more, these people and resources are usually quite easy to access. All you have to do is contact them. Here are the tricks:
- Begin by telling everyone in your immediate and extended family that you’re looking for a job or a career change. Most job seekers tell their immediate family but don’t call grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, or distant relatives. Most family members, even distant ones, are happy to help a relative. Call them! Text them! Email them! Write them!
- Call former coworkers and tell them that you’d like to make a job change. People who once worked with you are in a great position to “sing your praises” to other prospective employers. Don’t forget that former customers or vendors can be equally helpful.
- Plan an informal get-together with good friends and tell them about your search. This type of comfortable setting can help get a brainstorming conversation started. Take notes and follow up on leads, even if those leads don’t seem likely to produce results.
- Contact any former professors or teachers with whom you may have stayed in contact.
- List all your extra activities. When you attend these activities (meetings, social outings, sporting events, etc.), let people there know you’re looking for a new position. You will be surprised at the ideas you get from people you associate with in your spare time. For example, I served as president of a local service organization’s board of directors. These 35 people are lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, business owners you get the picture. They travel in many circles and can get my name mentioned in places I would never go.
- Tell professionals who deliver services to you. This includes your doctor, child care provider, pharmacist, and the grocer who always asks how you are doing.
- Be patient. Finding the right fit takes time. Becoming impatient leaves room for error in judgment. Wait for an opportunity that fits your career objective.
The above triggers the “domino effect.” Why does it work in the first place?
- People want to help other people. Allow them to do so. Remember to send a thank-you note to any person who tries to help you, even if his or her help doesn’t result in an interview or an offer. You want to create goodwill and continued willingness by people to help you.
- The more people you tell, the wider your net and the more likely you’ll uncover an opportunity.
Gather your resources and you will not only gain support, but you will develop resources about careers and opportunities you might not have found on your own. If you are shopping for a comfortable pair of walking shoes, would you go to only one or two stores; or would you go to a mall where you have 23 stores to choose from? Sharing your job search with others is analogous: Your chance of finding the right shoes (or a great job) are vastly increased!
