The job search process can be stressful. As a career coach, alleviating that stress makes my heart joyful. Over the years, I’ve taken note and measured the ways mid-career professionals turn their job search around. A day can feel like an eternity when you’re job searching, but if you implement these ways to get to the next level in your career, you will be likely to land your desired job soon.
Get a new LinkedIn image
Someone recently reached out to me on LinkedIn asking how to get the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. I told them they’ve got to look like someone worth a busy professional's time. People judge based on our appearance, and if you’ve got a LinkedIn photo that doesn’t look professional, how do you expect people to see you as a professional? JDP, a risk specialist firm, analyzed 2,000 LinkedIn photos across 11 industries and they found the following industries to have the best LinkedIn photos: HR and recruiting, marketing, advertising and PR, sales, business development and real estate professionals. If you’re not in one of those industries, then it may be time to reexamine your professional image. To make your profile image stand out, JDP recommends considering the lighting, framing, resolution, your attire and facial expression.
Although you’re ready to move on from your current job, if you start to think about and focus too much on getting a new job, you may have less energy for your current employer. In a previous Forbes article, I mentioned why energy is a new buzzword in the career coaching industry. Your energy, or lack thereof, affects your attitude, productivity and focus. Prioritize your sleep,because it’s one of the best ways to manage your energy.
An employer is "buying" your skills. If they can’t see or understand what you bring, they won’t hire you. These accomplishments enhance your value: generating revenue, saving money, boosting productivity, building clientele, improving processes, increasing profits, building new relationships and expanding stakeholders. What you’re “selling” ought to match the job description, and if you’re really serious about cutting your job search time down, then you’ve got to go beyond the job description and get exclusive insights on what’s wanted.
Make sure your job title makes sense
The title VP is common in the financial industry, but it means different things to different organizations. You want your title to make sense to an outsider. They may not try to guess what you do, and quite frankly, why should they? I often put an explanation or a secondary title in parenthesis if a job title isn’t clear or if it doesn’t do justice to what someone has done in their role. Integrity is incredibly important, and an incorrect or an added word can completely change the meaning. Therefore, if your job search is confidential and you can’t run it by a manager, it’s wise to ask an expert career coach.
I believe in energy management over time management, but time management is important too. The following is the time management strategy I use with job search clients:
Professional development tasks and keeping up to date with industry trends - 10%
Actively networking online and offline - 40%
Researching companies via social media, company websites, published articles, etc. - 15%
Applying for jobs via online job boards - 15%
Self-care, motivational and mindset activities – 20%
Bear in mind this looks slightly different for everyone based on your professional circumstances and goals. The aspect that frequently stays the same is the need to network. Although applying for a job online makes you feel productive, it’s not the best or fastest way to find employment.
Create an interview preparation cheat sheet
If you feel like your job search has not gone as planned because of interviews, then create a cheat sheet. Interviews can be daunting, because they are often the deciding factor. Employers want to see, feel and hear your enthusiasm in an interview. To create a simple interview cheat sheet, write down three things that make you likable, a good fit for the company culture and three results that you’ve achieved in the past five years which make you a good fit for the role.
Now, it's time for action. Go turn your job search around!