Yes, Jobsearching is Real Work

Today’s Career Tuesday article comes from my friend Melanie Szlucha of RedInc.biz.

I’ll admit right off the bat, that there are some of you who won’t like this post very much. And that’s because you’re doing all the right things in your job search. You’re networking, following up, trying new approaches, speaking with mentors, looking on a wide variety of job boards, etc. You’re doing all the right things, but can’t seem to get a break. I know you’re out there-I give you a wave…and don’t want you to take what I’m going to say below too personally.

But then there’s others of you.

You knew that the job search was going to be difficult, and in your mind, you thought difficult would be that you had to send in a million applications online, but that you would get some callbacks just by doing that. You expected the process to take longer.

However, you didn’t think you’d have to go outside your comfort zone. And by-golly, you’re not gonna!

GASP!!!

I get calls from people like this occasionally…and in the spirit of the “Let’s get your a** a job” blog, I provide as many suggestions as come to the top of my head of ways to shake up the search.

#1 always is: So what are you doing to network with people who are not unemployed?

And I rarely get a good answer to this. Talking to other people who are looking for a job is good, but consider that most of those people are, understandably self-motivated to help themselves-not you. Think outside the box. And go where the people who hire you, or would have a better chance of congregate. This will feel awkward, and will take time and effort, but you must do it.

It’s simply making friends. Getting to know different people. The “networking” doesn’t happen at the wine tasting, or class at your community college or church function. It happens when you meet at the free concert you both talked about going to, or trying out the new coffee shop. You’re back in elementary school, and it’s time to broaden your social circle. Yes, there may not be immediate payback, but I guarantee there will be long term benefits, and potentially short term keep you a little more sane.

Within the past 2 weeks, I’ve connected 3 current and former clients with recruiters, and one was done without my knowledge over Facebook. That’s me…networking…and passing along the leads to others. Wouldn’t happen if I was sittin’ at home by myself.

#2 do unto others.

If you’re asking yourself why you’re not getting better networking/friend-making traction when you do meet people, or if employers are consistently not calling you back-consider your approach and attitude. Put yourself on the other side of the desk-what approach would you be most receptive to receiving that would convince you to help the person on the other end of the phone? It’s as simple as that. When you had a job and received those networking calls, what was it that got you to take time to talk to someone else….and do that.

#3 Send thank you notes.

This one cracks me up. I was talking with a client of mine the other day, and we have a great rapport. She was lamenting about seriously needing to get out of her contract job situation. Then told me she had an interview, but didn’t send a thank you note because she figured that everyone else was doing it, so what impact would it have?

Ohhhh  boy… Here’s the dirty little secret with thank you notes. No one sends them. It’s like flossing, everyone knows that they should, but they don’t. Sending them-and writing them with a personal touch to reinforce that rapport you established during the interview-is key. It lets them know that you’re really interested in the job, and that you’re on your game.

3 simple little things that together, over time will contribute to a successful job search. It’s not always the big picture that you’re missing, sometimes it’s the incremental changes and nuances that open new doors.

Now, let’s go get some jobs!

Melanie Szlucha’s company Red Inc. Helps candidates stand out from the crowd–in a good way. Follow her on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Red_Inc) or check out her website: http://www.reallygreatresume.com