A thought From Life’s Good Coach
It’s no secret that I love to play music and listen to music. Often times while I’m “noodling” on a guitar or listening to music, a certain song will inspire some thoughts. Over the weekend I heard the 80’sClash song “Should I Stay Or Should I Go”.
This caused me to think about being in a Job Search, seeking a promotion or even a career change. To use an analogy, being in any of those circumstances is a little like driving a car. First off, the individual is in the driver’s seat and is in control. Second, the decision to either step on the accelerator, step on the brake or, keep both feet on the floor and don’t move, is theirs to make. This time of year, might leave someone in a job search wondering if they should get ready to step on the break and pause until the New Year arrives or, step on the accelerator and maintain forward movement.
For anyone in search of their next role, I encourage the later. Keep driving forward and steer to your destination. That would certainly apply to those in a career change or apply for promotion mind set as well.
If you’re in the search role, here are a few actions that can benefit from your time and attention, any time of the year. Doing all or any of these, will help get to your destination:
- Review your resume. Look at the format, check grammar and even spelling. After looking something many times, small details can be overlooked. Compare the resume that you used and the description of the role you applied to. Are their changes in your resume that you would make that would better showcase your skills, talent and fit for the job?
- Consider completing a course that adds to or sharpens your skillset. This can be great for staying sharp and demonstrate to hiring managers your commitment to your own Skills Development.
- Expand your Network and maintain relationships built. Use your list of contacts and LinkedIn to acknowledge someone’s accomplishment or recent milestone achievement. You might ask about a current event relative to their business or industry segment. If possible, arrange for a 15-minute coffee and a catch-up chat. You can do these live or over a video call. Any of these are a terrific way to stay connected with people and businesses that interest you.
- Investigate new opportunities. What company(or companies), types of work or business segments really interest you? Research those companies and areas of interest. Get a feel for the opportunities both current and emerging. Then, reach out to contacts you have that who work there, used to work there or even know others that work there. Similar to the Networking suggestions, indicating your interest and asking about a current event relative to their business or industry segment, can help establish a new contact for you as well as the individual.
Most importantly, prioritize Self Care. Yes, the suggestions above are part of this process but, staying in touch with supportive people in your family and social communities will enrich and likely outlast our jobs and careers. Plan for and, have some fun. Get out and do the things you enjoy.
November has arrived. Perhaps there will be fewer newly posted roles over the coming weeks and the requests for interviews may slow. The job market does not shut down. In fact, I personally experienced; applying in early November, interviewing in November December, accepting an offer, and starting a new role on January 4th. In fact, I’ve hired a number of times, in the same time frame so there are many who have also experienced this.
So, with your hands on the wheel, your foot on the accelerator and your favourite “Road Trip Playlist” cranked up, let’s make November as productive as any other month. Let’s keep driving and steer the search to your chosen destination.