How to Reinvigorate Your Job Search
The hiring process at many companies sucks isn't great. Anyone looking for a job right now has a handful of "they did WHAT?" stories that are perfect for TikTok.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, "Employers are slow-walking candidates, piling on new requirements ranging from years of experience to higher scores on technical tests, to running prospective hires through additional rounds of interviews."
That has led to an increase in calls from prospective clients who are frustrated, stuck, and feeling unwanted. As I remind them in our initial call, it's natural to want to be wanted during a job search, but in this job market no one feels wanted. Last month the folks at Glassdoor posed an interesting question to over 2,600 people: what's more exhausting, dating or interviewing for a job? Respondents were essentially split on the answer!
Ouch.
If you're feeling frustrated, my first suggestion is to pause, pull up, and accept that there are many parts of the hiring process you have zero control over. (A reminder that acceptance does NOT mean agreement. It just means you're in acceptance of the situation as it is in that moment.) Once you've accepted the situation it's easier to identify what you do have control over.
While my work with clients in the midst of a job search is situation-specific, three big areas come up over and over again. Fortunately clients do have control over these three, and I've seen their work in these areas reinvigorate their search -- and make a big impact.
Change Your Story
Does your story sound like the "best of" LinkedIn speak? Or is it a story that sounds like you, that's in your language, that you are stoked to share? One of the first things I work on with a client is their story, helping them craft a headline statement and four or five impact statements that they would want someone to use when introducing them to someone else in the interview process.
Zero In on What You REALLY Want to Do
This sounds super basic, but most people actually have a hard time identifying what they really want to do. When I work with clients I have them complete the Clifton Strengths assessment. As we walk through the results together, I have clients share a story or two about a time when their strengths got to come out and play in a meaningful way. Their face lights up, and what comes out next is what they really want to do.
Recharge and Replenish
Searching for a new job is stressful, and that stress is a big energy hit. Be sure to add a steady stream of activities that recharge you mentally and physically to your schedule. (For inspiration, check out 10 Actions to Recharge Anytime, Anywhere.) Surround yourself with positive people. And remember, this moment is a thread in the rich tapestry of a career you're weaving.
Let Me Help
If you're in the middle of a job search -- and you need to reinvigorate your search -- I have a special package that gets you three things I noted above: a fresh story, clarity on what you want to do, and a gigantic dose of my energy. I'm offering my newsletter subscribers a special price on that package: $1,995 through March 31, 2024. That's a significant discount for an investment that will make a big impact. Here's what a client recently said:
"Our time together has helped me get in touch with what I'm good at, overcome some residue from a previous role that was super challenging, and energize me for what I really want to do."
If you'd like to learn more, reach out here and we'll set up a time to jam.