Does a Job Search Have to be Daunting?

Searching for a new job seems to be the big thing on a lot of people's minds these days. I've been there and it can be a pretty isolating and overwhelming exercise.

Some basic questions to ask yourself when you're getting started are:

• What am I actually looking for? Do I like what I do well enough to do it again or do I need or want a fresh start? Sometimes the biggest impediment to finding a job is a lack of clarity in what you want to do. Spend some time exploring your interests, values, skills and personal goals here. A little soul-searching may save you countless hours of spinning your wheels. If you "don't have a clue," you can look for self assessments on line, contact your local career center or look for a career coach to guide you.
• Where would I like to work? Where am I most likely to find the right opportunities for me? Targeting specific companies is a good precursor to networking. Take a look at the "best companies to work for" lists. The Internet contains a wealth of lists ranging from geographic areas to company size to companies that are "family friendly". Fortune magazine publishes a list of the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For every year and evaluates each company based on their policies and culture with a heavy weighting given to the opinions of the company's employees. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/full_list/
• Whom do I know that could help me? Networking is the key to the more than 70% of jobs that are filled before they even get posted. Some people may believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness and you should be able to get a job "on your own." If that describes you, you need to get past it! Meeting someone inside an organization who can clue you in to a company's culture or, more importantly, their pain points could really help you differentiate yourself in an interview. Additionally, if you really hit it off with your networking contact, s/he might even be willing to ask a hiring manager to take a look at your resume. Remember, the networking contact doesn't GET you the job ... that's entirely up to you. The "what's in it for them" is the opportunity to help another human being (and it COULD mean a referral bonus in some companies!). Also, whenever you network with someone, you need to be mindful of giving something back if you can ... a contact that could help him with a problem ... a recommendation of a book on a topic of shared interest ... a suggestion on something that has been successful for you that could help her.
• When do I need to have this new job? What's my timeframe or sense or urgency? You may be searching for your dream job but, the reality is, the bills need to be paid. Making plans for landing a dream opportunity may have to go on the back burner if you have a sense of urgency. If you do go for a "bridge-job," don't just settle; be sure it's something you can be happy doing or you won't last long. And keep an eye out for opportunities that can take you a step closer to your dream job!
• How do I go about the process of finding a new job? There is definitely a process to follow here and I will be covering it in an entry VERY soon.

The "why" here is not important (i.e. why am I looking for/out of a job) ... your focus on the past should only be long enough to think about what worked for you and what did NOT work for you about your past position(s). What's done is done. If you had a bad experience in your last position, you need to work on a positive "exit statement" to talk about why you left. Make it short and to the point. DO NOT tell the saga of the trials and tribulations. You need to keep a forward focus!
Getting Your Bearings ...

To make your job search less daunting:

• Don't let it consume your time 24/7. You need to schedule in some time for fun and relaxation or you WILL burn out (probably faster than if you were employed).
• Set aside a specific time each day for your job search. Plan time off on the weekends (at least one day).
• Make a plan for what you're going to accomplish and track it (you'll need that for unemployment anyway).
• Give yourself a reward for actually MAKING that networking call or researching that company ... even if it's just taking a walk around the block. (Suggestion: Don't use hot fudge sundaes as a reward ... the results could be disastrous!)
• Be open to the possibilities.
• Trust that you WILL find your next opportunity.

Good luck with your search!