Laid off from work? Everyone is telling you that this is the worst time to be looking for work. The economy out there is slowing down. Depending on the day and depending on who you are listening to, the economy / jobs will come back in two to three months or not for a while. It is hard to feel positive about a job search right now. So does any of this really matter? No.
So how do you look for work right now? Most people will race to their computers every morning and apply for every position that is suitable for them. This is a necessary evil of the job search, but a job searcher is competing with hundreds or even thousands of other job searchers. The odds are not in your favour that your resume/application will trigger an interview.
Many people with reach out to every recruiter they know and constantly check with them about opportunities. Recruiters are trained to find people for jobs. Not jobs for people. If you are not a fit for a role they are recruiting for, a recruiter is not very likely to provide you much assistance, if any, in your job search.
The above two job search methods are the most common and should only account for 25 to 30 percent of your job search. The best tool for looking for work is networking.
To start out, you need to let everyone you know you are looking for work. Post it on Facebook, post it on LinkedIn, tell your family, and tell your friends. This is your network. Use it. Don’t be embarrassed by it. We all have had to look for work at one time or another. It is a necessity of life in North America.
Leverage your network. Begin with a small circle of family or friends and go for a coffee. Learn about their industry. Ask questions about their jobs. Ask for referrals of two or three people you can contact that may assist you with your search.
Remember that these meetings are mini interviews. Do not speak poorly of your previous employer. You are trying to leave a positive impression with everyone you meet. You want your network to think of you when an opportunity comes up.
Your job search is Sales 101. You are selling yourself. A typical sales cycle is 100 phone calls, 10 meetings, one sale. In networking, the goal is 100 contacts, 10 meetings, and hopefully one interview. To have success, you have to work the numbers. That should be your goal every week, is to work through your contacts.
Who should you network with? Everyone. Everyone knows someone that you don’t know. You should network with your family, friends, and even people who are looking for work themselves. A person in the midst of their own job search may know someone that can assist you and vice versa.
Finally, the most important aspect of your job search is your attitude. Stay positive and don’t take it personally. Most of the “No’s” you receive have nothing to do with you. There are decisions being made that have nothing to do with you personally, so do your best not to take it personally.
Remember: It has nothing to do with you. This is a numbers game.