I’ve been there and so have most people that I know at least once in their lifetime, especially when it comes to searching for a job, any job. Or I have felt trapped in the job I once held and was looking for a way out, but was too lost and overwhelmed to begin my search. Does this sound familiar?
When I look back on my career and examine what action I took at these times to change my employment situation, I took several steps that were effective for me. I would try to remain calm, avoid panic and try to apply as much logic toward the circumstances as possible.
Step #1
Assess where you are. This is relatively easy if you are unemployed and looking for work, but it is also an important step in the event you are employed and desiring to make a change. When you assess where you are, remember, you do have a job. This automatically makes your circumstances stronger, meaning that you do not have to settle for the first thing that you find. You have options. You may absolutely detest where you are, but you are employed and that gives you the leverage to continue looking until you find what you want. Or maybe you can find a way to stay in your present job when you see what is out there. If you are unemployed, you know where you are.
Step #2
Create a plan of action. Your plan should take an in-depth look at your resume, your networking exposure and interviewing skills. Refer to my post entitled “Employed or Unemployed? That is the Question.”
Step #3
Implement your plan of action. Look for hiring managers and hiring authorities within specific companies for which you would like to work and send them a resume, even if it is unsolicited. If you only send out 1 unsolicited resume a day, you’ll have close to a 100 resumes out in 3 months. Look throughout your network for people to whom you can send your resume. Though there is minimal gain in the next process, send your resume to 5 companies per day who have posted their jobs. That will be 150 resumes per month, meaning at least 15 of them should garner attention. Tailor your resume per job. Most importantly, follow-up each and every resume submitted with a phone call or email if possible. Be persistent, diligent and consistent. If looking for a job is truly a numbers game, your consistency will automatically put you in a category at or near the top and you will have very little competition up there.
Step #4
Monitor your plan of action. At the end of each day, review your job searching activity to ensure that you have followed up each and every resume.
Step #5
Immerse yourself in positive thoughts. Sit alone for 15 minutes each day and visualize working for a specific company in a specific role. Your actions will become automatic, controlled by your sub-conscious thoughts of positive re-affirmation.
Step #6
Keep your mind stimulated. Read books or articles that cause your mind to think. Read stories of encouragement and avoid negativity at all costs.
There are no guarantees in life (with the exception of death and taxes). But only you can do this. Unfortunately, no one can do it for you. Determine that you will get started today and do not stop until you are employed. Make that determination.
Matthew 11:28-30
