Wouldn’t it be great to have a team of people you could reach out to and get help from? By building a personal Board of Directors, you can get advice to help you break down the barriers of job search.
How often do you follow through on difficult tasks?
What about those leads you got last week at a networking group?
Have you tried EVERY possible option to find a connection within the company that posted a job that is a “perfect fit” for you?
Personally, I know how difficult it can be to follow up and I feel overwhelmed by all the things I need to do to keep my business running. There just don’t seem to be enough hours in the week. I can only imagine that you, as a job seeker, face many of the same feelings.
The truth is, we all need a little help with time management skills and personal accountability. If you are unemployed, there isn’t a boss standing over you asking you for your report.
Create a Personal Board of Directors or Accountability Team
A personal Board of Directors or Advisors is a group of people who have strengths in areas you don’t. They may have inside knowledge of an industry or role. These are people you look to for help, guidance, information or knowledge.
Here are additional posts that can provide you answers on who and how:
Everyone Needs A Personal Board of Directors (Forbes)
Forget Mentors: Employ a Personal Board of Directors from HBR (Harvard Business Review)
Chose People Who Are Strong Where You Are Not
Think about the people you know (employed or unemployed) who have strengths in areas you don’t. If you struggle to make follow up calls, look for someone who has been in sales, business development or who isn’t afraid to pick up the phone. Ask them if they could spare some time to help coach you or be available once in a while to help plan/script what to say.
Many Hands Make Light Work
One person isn’t enough for your support team. You don’t want that one person to feel overwhelmed by your requests for help. Let each person know that they will be part of your team. It will make it feel less of a burden for them.
The other benefit of having a team is that you’ll have access to varying opinions. There isn’t just one right way to do something. Job search strategies are very gray. For example, how many times have you shown your resume to people and gotten different types of feedback? Very few people will agree on what makes an “excellent resume”. It is a personal interpretation.
Show Gratitude and Appreciation
Ask them to do you a favor and remember, in return, you will need to find ways to help them out as well.
Show your appreciation by sending your board of directors an interesting article, introducing them to someone who you think they may benefit from knowing, or promoting the person or their company on social media and with your network. The best way to show gratitude and your appreciation is to simply say thank you.
A Solid Career Strategy
The benefits of putting together a board of directors can also carry over to your career. Once you are in a new role, begin selecting a new board of advisors who will assist you with the next phase of your career and help you navigate your new job.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
