Overcoming Job Search Obstacles in Today’s Economy
Joyce Richman, my co-author for the ebook, Getting Your Kid Out of the House and Into a Job, and I were talking the other day. We both had been hearing a lot from clients and colleagues about how the economy was affecting them. We ended up talking quite a bit about those who are currently engaged in a career transition. I find these conversations with Joyce helpful and insightful and thought I would pass along some of her comments which we organized into “obstacles” and “response.”
Obstacle: How can high school grads compete effectively when compared to college graduates?
Response: Self-confidence. In this market, most companies are under the gun to keep expenses down and production up. They want to hire employees who can hit the ground running, who are as efficient as they are effective. They look for people who can combine strong work ethic with high- octane performance. In other words, if you can sell yourself as energetic, focused, and flexible, with a track record to match, you are competitive.
Obstacle: How can you overcome a bad case of interview-jitters, particularly when you’ve always been scared of authority figures?
Response: Focus. Authority figures scare most of us. The trick is to remember that you’re a responsible adult, not a dependent child. The person sitting across the desk or standing across the room hasn’t the moral or legal authority to judge your beliefs or your behaviors unless you give them that right. They may approve or disapprove of your actions, but you get to choose what to do about it.
Focus on what you’re there to accomplish. Tell your story and don’t get hijacked by your emotions. Ask good questions. The best questions enable the interviewer to describe the challenges the company and department must confront and what they need and expect from their best employees. Then, respond according to your strengths and abilities.
Obstacle: When responding to ads, whether in print or the internet, I know I’m going up against hundreds of people who are as anxious for that job as am I. How can I move to the head of the line?
Response: Network. People who position themselves ahead of the crowd rely on and dedicate at least 80% of their search time to networking. Networking contacts can introduce you to decision makers who get you in the side door without your having to wait in line.
Here are three examples of how it works:
1. Talk to people who work where you would like to work or know people who work there. If you don’t know who they are, (I realize they don’t walk around advertising the fact) ask people you know to help you find them. Next: tell the person why you’re interested in that particular company (have a few good reasons) and ask who you might speak to, to learn more about opportunities there. Note: you didn’t ask for an interview. You want a “conversation” to determine that there’s a match between what they need and what you do.
2. Talk to people who are supervisors or managers in their respective places of business. Describe what you do best and ask them for recommendations as to where you might look and with whom you might speak.
3. Talk to people you know personally and with whom you have a great deal in common. Describe what you do best, which, to no great surprise, is what they do best. Ask them to brainstorm with you regarding job possibilities and, hint, hint, who would be good personal leads for you to contact.
Obstacle: What can you do when you’re your own worst enemy?
Response: Affirmations. Negative self- talk does you more damage than what anyone possibly could think or say about you. Believe in yourself, and say so. Believe that each encounter you have, each meeting, each interview, is a positive opportunity for something good to follow, and tell yourself so.
If you found Joyce’s comments helpful (I always do), you may want to sign up for her blog at www.RichmanResources.com. You can also link to her WFMY appearances and to her articles for the Greensboro News & Record from that site.
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