For Job Search Tip 2, I am going to go into more detail on the reasoning behind the need to be Selective and Set Goals that are detailed and well thought through.
Be Selective and Set Goals
If you know you want to change your career it is obvious that that need to be selective and set goals, but it is not necessarily something that you think about when looking for a new, but similar job.
There are several reasons why this is important.
Focus
Rather than having a vague idea of the generic role you are looking for try thinking about the specifics that will provide you with a sense of satisfaction.
Ask yourself what you are looking for from your new job – yes, I get we want the salary etc, but beyond on – what else? Think about it, we often want lots of different things but don’t really give voice to them. Typically, we understand we want fulfilment and satisfaction but we may enjoy a role more if we think in more detail about the important elements like: friends, purpose, a career path, a sense of belonging, challenge (intellectual or physical), an outlet for our skills, even fun!
These could be work focused like specific technology; an opportunity to improve systems; the ability to increase profits, an ongoing career path etc. Alternatively, they can be less tangible like management style; type of colleagues; objectives; culture; shared values …
Finally, you might be looking for practical elements like company size; industry; location; hours; type of working (in house/travel/flexible working etc). When I was having to think about these for myself, I realised that some criteria that seem trivial were really very important to me. The most surprising one was a parking space!
So, you can see now that even though you might think you know what you are looking for, you have probably not thought it through in enough detail.
Work on the details until you can visualise what you want. Once you can do that you will be positive and articulate on every aspect.
Confidence
Can you imagine how much easier it is to be selective and set your goals once you have drilled down into all the detail? How much more clarity might you have when you are trying to look at your options?
I find it so refreshing when I talk to people who can describe what they are looking for concisely. It gives me a lot of confidence that they know exactly what they are looking for and will be able to articulate their relevant experience whenever asked about it.
These clients always tell me they feel much more confident when they know exactly what they are looking for and how to explain that to recruiters.
Networking
It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of networking when you are in job-search.
If you want to know more about networking, see Job Search Techniques Step 4
Consider how you might use Networking to gain the details you need in the first instance and then how much more professional you will appear when you can share those details when networking with others.
To start off with you may not have as much clarity as you would like but by using your contacts you can get information and advice you need to put detail into your plan or make nebulous ideas more realistic.
Although networking is usually thought of as unstructured and informal it doesn’t mean you should not be prepared. The more you have developed your message the greater the impression you will make in any meetings.
When you have a clear message others will remember you because you have shared your vision and our subconscious primarily works on images rather than words.
Identifying Your Market
One of the obvious elements of job search that is so often overlooked, is identifying your market in detail.
Yes, it is really important to know the type of role, the industry and anything important about the specific companies you may want to work for.
The thing is, that this is typically where you stop. Actually, I am quite sure you are able to name 2 or 3 companies you feel you would really like to work for.
If you start with these companies on your list, it is now quite simple to add more organisations who fit the criteria. In this way, you can name certain companies, and be able to imagine working for them. By doing this your conversations will be much more specific and engaging whilst networking or just thinking though ideas.
By taking Tip 1 and Tip 2 you will be far more ready and confident to discuss what you are looking for and tell people how you might fit and add value to the roles you are looking for.
If you are interested in workshops on these and other Job Searching topics please check out the Job Search Techniques Complete Course, or individual Steps choose from the various topics in the products list on the Home Page)
If you would like to talk about any of this, please don’t hesitate to contact me or check out the other Job Search Techniques Workshops on the Products list on the Home Page