The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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I Have to go Find a Job Will Sound Silly in 2017

I Have to go Find a Job Will Sound Silly in 2017
will-work-for-job
Most people have this habit of starting their job search from scratch. I know the job only lasted six months, when will we learn a long tenure at one employer is a rarity.
Think of it as a lifestyle rather than a thing to do. Sort of like staying in shape during a sports off-season, you want a seamless transition between opportunities without interruption.
 So here are signs when it looks too late to start looking:
1. When it’s time to quit
It takes time to create a job search empowered through many sources. Relying on luck and a job board is not enough to sustain an effective job search. Yesterday’s resume for a general job search is far too little to get started.
The proactive approach affords you time and options are plentiful. Do you have personal business cards yet (yes, electronic cards are almost a must, too)? A completed LinkedIn profile? Are you having  great conversations and finding additional industry resources? Have you narrowed down what careers you will pursue? I understand quitting may take a year in your mind, but in someone else’s it may differ.
2. When you’ve realized complacency
If you’ve been reading career articles for a while, you’ve read to start preparing for your next job the first day at the start of the current one. There is little room for procrastination when it comes to weaving career opportunities together. Most industries are moving, shifting, and constantly evolving.
You will likely  insert your voice to your industry to be noticed.  Simple comments in specialized groups, on popular industry blogs, or LinkedIn groups will create your voice. Consider writing a peer reviewed article or even have your own blog, but in all cases, if you’re constantly doing this, the opportunities may be a little easier to find.
3. When you’re desperate
People are looking for way to turn off unnecessary noise in his or her space and the one set of noise ignored is the desperate person. Most are likely to keep scrolling or not return the call asking for a job in general. Indicating you’re available to offer XYZ value means so much more than I need a job ASAP.
Regular activities towards future employment such as obtaining additional certifications, blogging, networking, training and speaking shows you’re adding value to your industry’s community.
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4. All of your friends are making moves but you
All of those invites to special networking events, workshops, and virtual events you ignored, your friends were participants and at times, facilitators. The happy hours, dinners, and introductions you missed or didn’t follow-up on make sense now.
Your friends were nurturing and cultivating those relationships while you passed on them because you were happy at the time. Well, now you’re jealous and it doesn’t jive with you at all. It’s hard when you see friends moving ahead or before you.
It’s worse when they’re not answering your calls or texts when you’ve started to ask how did they do it? Be connected, stay networking, and offer to help now and then. When we’re giving, we’re learning!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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I need a job ASAP! I am desperate! What should I do?

Someone I know told me she had been looking a long time and said, I need a job ASAP! I thought I would share my reply so others could benefit.

 

Well, before we talk about what you should do, we need to diffuse a bomb before it goes off. You will need to deal with the desperate state overflowing from your veins. It will scare everyone you approach. No one likes to talk to an irrational person. When you say, “desperate,” that is what people think. Your reality is you are in a difficult situation where time is of the essence.

The phrase, “I need a job ASAP” is scary. Think before putting it out there.

Companies will not give jobs or even listen to a desperate person. It frightens them and rightfully should. It’s likely you’re overwhelmed but now is the time to overcome it with rationalization. This is a good time to start doing several things to help you focus and conduct a search to achieve quicker results. Unfortunately, most employers are not rushing to hire people.

Write down and carefully consider the following:

Are you clear on the job you want and the company you want to work for? That is the first major obstacle for most job seekers.

Is there a skill you can leverage as an independent contractor?

Is there a job opportunity you passed on applying to because it didn’t seem right? Depending on what “right” is, it may deserve a second look.

Are you signed up with temporary agencies? You should sign up with several. Most pay weekly once you start. Although they will still put you through their hiring process, it is a short term fix.

Do you know any friends who are business owners who can use your skill set?

Have you told most (or all) of your friends and family of your unemployment status? As funny as it seems, people will tell strangers before family. I understand why. If you’re running out of time, then this might be the best rational option.

If you haven’t already, you should be having conversations with people you know who might be in position to refer you or hire you at least temporarily. The caution again is people will bail at the sign of desperation. You can communicate urgency without seemingly irrational.

Dress

Consider dressing business casual wherever you go. This will likely disarm those who don’t usually help anyone. It’s not comfortable during the summer months, but human nature says people  are likely to trust someone who looks ready to work. Casual business is much more pleasant than always dress for the interview. The worse is looking like you just got out of bed and saying, I need a job ASAP. The latter is repulsive at best.

Do the basics

  • Here are some quick suggestions but for more detail, you can find articles all over the web for help. I’ll include a few references
  • Continue to fill out applications on job boards
  • If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time to complete one. If you’ve completed one, now it’s time to participate in conversations taking place in groups
  • Contact companies directly. There are many articles on the web to help you strategize and execute.
  • Set up informational interviews if you’re no longer anxious and desperate. Go for the information not to beg.
  • Ask for introductions to people in the companies you like to work for. Offer them value and likely, they will offer it back
  • Create opportunities for great conversations everywhere you go without asking for referrals. Relationships get you referred, not solely the ask itself.
  • Look for internship opportunities
  • Look for volunteer opportunities to help you hone untested skills and abilities
  • Are you a member of professional organizations? If not, are there any you can contact to see if they have any special discounted membership prices? If you’re a recent college graduate, many will give a very low discount for the first year.
  • Check locally for businesses looking for someone with your skill set. It’s possible they have not posted a position, but willing to hire the right person with a unique skill.

These are a few things you can do. If you have additional questions, let me know.

 

 

 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Why Your Interview Skills Suck

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Older job seekers do many things well. One of the obstacles for many of them is presenting well in an interview. The lack of preparation. The lack of research. The application of relevant knowledge. All of those things can impede your chances. Jeff Altman has 40 years experience advising job seekers with interviews and helping them with their challenges.

What are your interview challenges? I would love to know your thoughts about today’s show in three ways:

    1. Call and leave a voicemail or text me at 708-365-9822
    2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
    3. Send email feedback to [email protected]

Why Your Interview Skill Sucks with Jeff Altman

Jeff Altman (@TheBigGameHuntr) has been a recruiter for around 40 years.  He has many resources on his website where more than 1600 videos to help with anyone’. He has a new website, jobsearchcoachinghq.com. His podcast is a useful resource too. On “Job Search Radio” he interviews career coaches, resume writers, and recruiters to get their perspective and advice for job seekers.

    Here are some discussion highlights:
    • The point is always missed with job seekers — skills defining the job are different than the skills to do the job
    • Over 50 job seekers must not buy the notion – “I’m over 50, I’ll be discriminated against
    • One of the frequent causes of a lack of presentation is the lack of preparedness
    • Practice will help you execute at the drop of a hat
    • Converting education to real experience is a barrier if the professors don’t know how to make it transfer to todays real world expectations
    • The preparation is work needing to be done in order to make your capabilities plain to employers
    • Jeff recommends initiating the tone and pace of the interview – shift mindset from expecting to be interrogated. The job candidate positions himself better by having a conversation than a boss/subordinate Q & A
    • Ask more consultative questions defining the problem the employer wants to solve. Find out what matters to them
    • Recognize the stage, the audience, and find ways to make them respond. Make your presentation sound fresh
    • Energy is a key for older job seekers to engage the audience—don’t be the parent telling a younger interview what to do
    • Social media is great for research and to leverage the interview for familiarity and to stand out

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it! Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

I would still like to help self-published career professionals promote their books. If you’re interested, find more info here.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.