Sea Glass and the Job Search: Planning

A week or so ago I compared beginning a job search to looking for sea glass on the beach; shuffling through the rocks and shells to focus on that one spectacular piece.

To many people, the job search can be a jumbling mess of thoughts and actions leaving us frustrated and not knowing where to begin. There are three steps to the job search process; planning, networking and preparing. Let’s take them one at a time

The first big step in any job search or career change is to put away your resume or your worry about crafting one. That’s the last thing to work on. You need to plan and dream and take a bit of time to think about you and all that you do. Planning allows you to sift through the jumble and focus.

1. Focus on You
2. Focus on the Job

Focus on You: Take some time to reflect and jot down your answers to these questions. Try to do this exercise yourself and then ask friends and family if they have anything to add.

a. What did I like about my last job(s)?
b. What activities did I enjoy?
c. What type of work energizes me?
d. What don’t I like to do?
e. If I could do anything, what could it be?
f. What are my interests?
g. What are my values?
h. What type of personality do I have?
i. What am I really good at?
j. What am I really bad at?
k. What skills do I have?
l. What skills have I developed over the years that I can transfer to another job (transferable skills)? Include work and volunteer activities.

Focus on the Job: Once you have identified your skills and interests, think about the types of jobs that may interest you.

a. Take a free career assessment. There are many but try coachcompass.com or online.onetcenter.org)

b. Review the jobs defined in the Occupational Outlook Guide from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

c. Go to the familiar job search engines such as Indeed.com. Jobs4Jersey.com or Monster.com and look up the various positions that match your skills and interests.

Once you’ve researched these two areas you’ll need to put them together and evaluate yourself. You can do this by drawing a worksheet. In the first column list the skills needed for a particular job. In the second column list the skills that you have that align with these. Compare the two columns and decide whether this is an area for you to pursue.

There are other areas in planning that may be important to you such as reviewing your finances, personal and family needs, logistics, etc. These need to fall into the job search equation too. After this, it’s time to start part two of the job search equation; networking. We’ll do that next time.

Planning the Job Search While Still On the Job

Last night I gave a resume writing class to a great group over in a local library.  A couple of people in the session had jobs but they were concerned that due to the economy and hearing the news around the water cooler that some changes may be in order, that they too might receive their walking papers. If that's what’s going to happen then it will happen but it occurred to me that there might be a couple of things that they can do now, while they are still there.  In no particular order they might consider these:

1. Network: Get to know your vendors or outside service providers better.  They work with people in other companies and may be privy to news of job openings or hidden positions.  Also, be aware that some of your co-workers have networking contacts and those people might be able to help you as well.

2. Learn something.  Take advantage of company-sponsored training and don't say that you don't have time for it.  You may not be able to afford it if you have to pay for it on your own later.

3. Stay current in your field: Either at home or on your break or even at work, research your particular field.  Learn what's new and what's changed. I know firsthand how difficult it is to carve out some time to do this but it is mandatory and necessary.  If someone newer comes into your department and can say and use the buzz words associated with your industry and you are not keeping up, you're in trouble.  Don't ever think that your tenure can keep you safe.

4. Join LinkedIn.  No, it is not used only by job seekers.  Use it to stay current in your field by joining groups in your industry.  You don't have to join the job search groups - stay close to the groups associated with your industry.  Make sure that while in these groups you answer questions and participate.  This will allow you to become a subject matter expert and you will learn something new.  (See # 3 above).

5. Join a professional group.  If your industry has one and your company will pay for the membership, go and participate.  You'll learn something and you'll make many networking contacts in your field.

6. Gather your past performance appraisals, goals, thank you notes, calendars, etc.  You may not realize it now but these will help you compose your resume, interview and network later on down the road.

What else can you do? I've only listed six items but there are many more. Who knows? Perhaps by doing some of these things, you’ll prove that you are a true asset to your organization and maybe you can stick around a bit longer.

Job Search for Moms - Book Review

My recent book, Job Search for Moms has only three chapters; Planning, Networking and Presenting. That's it - the only three steps you'll need to begin the arduous task of looking for a new job or career.  Rather than present you with a laundry list of every possible piece of job search advice, these three steps take the mystery and well, pain, out of the whole job search process.  So what do the chapters on Planning, Networking and Presenting involve?  Here are a couple of highlights:

1. Planning: The theme of Chapter One is Focus on You, Focus on the Job. With tools and charts, this chapter will allow you to reflect upon your needs including those that are financial, emotional, and educational.  By identifying your strengths and development needs, skill sets, transferable job skills, career wants and experience you will be better prepared to speak about yourself and share your knowledge and abilities.   The chapter also looks at careers and shows you how and where to review the key words that match your skill sets.  By focusing on you and focusing on the job, you’ll be better prepared to set goals and move ahead to the next chapter; Networking.

2. Networking: This chapter looks at the number one way to find a job.  Included are the methods to build relationships, identify networking opportunities and contacts, gain knowledge of the hidden job market and clarify insider information.  You’ll also learn how to develop yourself within your current position or in a different career direction through informal and informational interviewing.  Creating a  social media presence is also emphasized.

3. Presenting: Now that you're done planning and understand networking you are ready to create your resume, plan for your interview and move forward.  This chapter (placed last for a reason) presents the tools you’ll need to put your job search into high gear.  It includes resume types, behavioral interviewing, questioning techniques, resources to find company information, the flow of any interview and follow up activities.

Job Search for Moms stocked with charts, questions, telephone conversations, email samples, internet resources – everything any job seeker needs to get moving with the job search. The material was gathered from a series of job search classes presented by Blackbird Learning Associates.  The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Lulu.com.

Goal Setting for the Job Search Process

As promised, here is a piece from Job Search for Moms about setting goals to maintain your focus on your job search. As you can see, the steps listed here are not just for Moms.

Goal setting is a fundamental part of any business planning process. Here too, it should it be a vital part of your job search plan. Setting goals allows you to visualize your future, clarify your steps, and focus on dates. It is the cornerstone of the job search planning process in that it allows you to focus on necessary steps while weeding out any needless distractions. It is also highly motivating and a useful way to measure your time and progress. Within the context of the job search, your goals should be written in specific terms, they should have precise time frames, and they should be measurable. A specific goal tells you exactly what you want to accomplish. It is helpful to break each broad goal statement into manageable smaller statements. This step not only keeps you on track, but it allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment when each step is achieved. A time oriented goal statement should include specific target dates and the approximate time you will need to complete each of the steps. A measurable goal statement should include concrete criteria or action steps that will allow you to measure your progress. Setting goals in the planning process of your job search allows you to focus and move in the right direction. It also gives you a sense of purpose or accomplishment to check off each action item as you move forward. Try using the “Resume Development Checklist” to create your goal statement and take the necessary steps toward producing the resume.

Resume Development Checklist Prepare final version of resume by August 12, 20__. Identify areas of expertise by.... Choose resume template by... Create career history by.... Create summary statement by.... Type first draft using selected template by.... Get feedback from contacts by.... Type final version by...

Yahoo Calculator Samples

One of the first topics we talk about in Job Search for Moms is the ability to understand your financial situation in order to plan and conduct your job search accordingly. While the book offers charts and resources for your planning needs, I found that Yahoo Finance offers a variety of calculators in all sorts of financial areas to help you figure out your monetary needs and gaps.  As with any life change, it is important to reflect, plan and assess before moving forward.