It is here again…Monday. Either love it or hate it, this week is what you make of it. Here are some ideas to convert your job search to a proactive initiative, where you are in control!
Wear Your Consultant Hat
Treat your next interview like you were being hired to be their consultant. Do your research and be prepared with questions to better assess where their problems are and how you might solve them.
Market Your Services
Instead of waiting for job postings, get ahead of the curve by identifying employers that would benefit from hiring you. Build a list of 30, 40, or even 50 employers that hire people to do what you do. Follow them on LinkedIn to see what they are doing. Create Google Alerts with their company name to see what is being said across the internet. Follow them on Twitter and Google +. And most importantly, tell everyone you know that you would like to meet someone who works in those companies to learn more about what they are doing and if you may be a fit.
Take Action
You have been given names of people to follow up with… don’t slack. Just because you haven’t heard back from them yet, doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in speaking with you. Give them a really really good reason to want to speak with you and be persistent. All you are doing is asking for 30 minutes of their time (or less over the phone). Make it easy for them by proposing a place and time. Always reference the person who referred you. And by all means, be polite. Keep asking if you don’t hear back. No response does not equal “no” it only means they haven’t responded. Keep pursuing.
Lose the emotions
Your emotions are preventing you from moving forward. I don’t care how you do it, but you’ve got to turn yourself around. Stop being negative. Stop the self-talk that sets you spiraling downward. If you can’t do this alone (which you may not be able to, get professional help!)
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.