The Voice of Job Seekers

Award-winning career advice blog & podcast! ★Hacking and reimagining an easier job search process for you!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • iTunes Podcasts
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

2021 is around the corner. 421 Modern Job Search Tips for 2021 is coming soon! Sign up now!

  • TVOJS Podcast
    • Guest Posts Topics or Podcast Guests
  • ABOUT ME
  • Media/ Media Mentions
  • Get the Free 2020 eBook
    • Guides & Resources
  • Contact Me
  • HIRE ME!
    • Testimonials
  • Hire Me for Content Writing
  • #JOBSEEKERnation LIVE
You are here: Home / Career Management / 5 Ways Your Job Search Can Catch the Spirit of March Madness

by Mark Anthony Dyson Leave a Comment

5 Ways Your Job Search Can Catch the Spirit of March Madness

5 Ways Your Job Search Can Catch the Spirit of March Madness

 

Not everyone enjoys college basketball, but the NCAA’s March Madness tournament is an exciting thing to watch. I, personally, get hooked on the enthusiasm of the fans. I also love those last-minute game-winning shots, especially when the home crowd rushes the court to celebrate.

In stark contrast to the spirit of March Madness, your average job search is rarely a celebratory affair. The experience is intense, but for many, it’s more like torture than a basketball tournament.

That said, the interview process does have some things in common with a basketball tournament. Each candidate is scrutinized for strengths, weaknesses, and potential competitiveness. Those who make it through each round of the interview process will eventually emerge victorious above all competitors.

Read  7 Ways to WOW Employers This Year

Unfortunately, few candidates really understand their value.

My clients never seem to understand their full potential until I’ve worked closely with them to flesh it all out.

You don’t necessarily need a career consultant to cheer you on through the job search. You can capture the exciting spirit of March Madness in your own job search by following some of these tips:

Click To Tweet

1. Get Some Early Wins

In March Madness, the losers go home with no second chance. Similarly, when no one notices your unique abilities, you have no shot at landing your dream job.

You win when your achievements meet the employer’s needs. How can you score some early wins to really show off your skills? Schedule some informational interviews. Find employees at your target companies and network. Get that first request for an interview.

Read 8 Ways to Foster Effective Job Interview Conversations

2. Get Your Team Involved

It’s rare for an individual to carry their whole team all the way to the championship. Making it that far takes everyone doing their part.

You, similarly, need a job search team. Career coaches, references, supportive network contacts, and even the people who watch your kids while you go on interviews – they are your team. You must keep all of your teammates engaged and enthusiastic in order to succeed.

3. Out-Compete Other Candidates

You need to compete to land the job. You need to impress the potential employer more than anyone else does.

To do this, you need to know what your competitors are doing and how they are winning over employers. The point is not to copy your competitors. On the contrary, you will need to do better than they do; you will need to exceed the employer’s expectations.

The winner in any job search is the one who delivers the most value to the employer.

Click To Tweet

4. Use Your Timeouts Wisely

During March Madness, coaches wait to use their timeouts until doing so is critical. Similarly, the use of timeouts at the right moments is crucial to your job search success and your well-being. Take timeouts wisely. Give your body and mind time to re-energize when need be.

Listen to  You’ll Need These Linkedin Strategies for Job Search Readiness with Marc Miller

 

5. Finish Strong

Even if your interview went well, you must accept your competition might do better. The little things matter. Thank-you notes, follow-up calls, and how you treat the people with whom you come in contact make all the difference. Your best bet is to connect with interviewers and potential referrers on social media and through personal contact. Keep the relationships warm.

–

Those of us who watch the NCAA tournament understand the enthusiasm, drama, and unpredictability of March Madness. The competitive spirit makes it exciting for us fans.

Many job seekers enter “Job Search Madness” knowing others are doing the same, but few understand the competitiveness needed to win over employers. Just as you expect a team to compete in order to win the tournament, you should expect to put in the same kind of effort to position yourself as the best candidate.

Related Posts

  • It’s “What” Networking, Not “Why” NetworkingIt’s “What” Networking, Not “Why” Networking
  • Job Search Trends of 2021Job Search Trends of 2021
  • How Immigrants Conduct a Successful Canadian Job SearchHow Immigrants Conduct a Successful Canadian Job Search
  • Brilliant Interviewing Strategies From a World Class Career ExpertBrilliant Interviewing Strategies From a World Class Career Expert
  • Ignoring Unemployment Data, and Why Your Values Mean Much MoreIgnoring Unemployment Data, and Why Your Values Mean Much More
  • 8 Small Needle Movers For Your Job Search8 Small Needle Movers For Your Job Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • iTunes Podcasts
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

About Mark Anthony Dyson

My name is Mark Anthony Dyson, and I am the Founder of The Voice of Job Seekers. I am a career advice writer, but more importantly, I hack and re-imagine the job search process.. I've worked with hundreds of job seekers one-on-one helping them to construct a narrative and strategy that appeals to hiring managers and recruiters. I present at colleges and organizations, and facilitated many workshops including my volunteer effort through a Job Lab. I write and create useful job search content on this blog and write career and workplace advice for blogs such as Glassdoor, Payscale, Job-Hunt.org, Prezi and more. Media Feature highlights: Forbes, Business Insider, NBC News, Glassdoor, LinkedIn's #GetHired, and NPR Freelance writer and content contributor: Glassdoor, Payscale, job-hunt.org, The Financial Diet, RippleMatch.com and more. Contact me to contribute career, job search, or workplace advice for your site at markanthonydyson@gmail.com.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • Twitter
  • |
  • Facebook
  • |
  • LinkedIn
  • |
  • More Posts(601)

Filed Under: Career Management, Job Search Tagged With: Job Search, march madness

Listen to my NPR podcast interview on “Jazzed About Work” with Beverly Jones from 8/13/2020!

WOUB Digital · Episode 087 : Black job searchers face special challenges, says Mark Anthony Dyson

See my #GetHired LinkedIn Live with News Editor Andrew Seaman

Watch this interview about today’s job search!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJNTym48NVo&t=68s
Top Career Advice Websites
Jobscan Badge
Career Youtube Channels
Best Websites for 2020 job search logos
top 100 career badge
Banners for Top 20 Career Blogs 2018
Best Websites for Job Search 2017

Top Career Podcasts 2018

Best Career Blog
The Voice of Jobseekers
top career blogs

<script type=”text/javascript” src=”https://platform.linkedin.com/badges/js/profile.js” async defer></script>

Copyright © 2021 · Generate Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in