What is the most effective way to search for your new job? Two elements are key to a successful job search. A strong resolution and relationships replace job search sites.
Resolution
There are several methods out there to find the right jobs. Some will tell you to canvas like crazy, using the odds to your favor. Others will be much more selective and target a handful of companies. Then have you wait for an opportunity to open up or even use certain methods to “make” opportunities. Regardless of the method used to place the application and resume into the hands of the hiring manager, much effort needs to be spent on organizing and planning the search for the best outcome.
My project management experience tells me to manage this as I would any other project. Deadline must be set. Tasks with dependencies need to be defined. Target dates set for each milestone. Resources analyzed to assess areas in risk. Mitigation plans put in place. Metrics defined and implemented to ensure progress is made and milestones are met. As needed I will adjust any and all of these to adapt to changing requirements and any potential goals not defined up front.
By setting daily objectives that align with this project’s tasks, I can persistently follow the job search methods I choose. This will help to keep me on track and not wonder aimlessly around all the possible ways of finding jobs. I’ll be able to measure methods that are being more effective than others. Then, I can optimize my plan to get the best results
Networking
It is not so much what you know but who you know. Time and time, again I have seen by example and heard from many successful job seekers that knowing somebody that knows somebody is what at least got their foot in the door. Of course you will need to have the qualifying skills, but so do many others that are seeking after the same jobs. Personal testimonials from trusted individuals go a long way to getting that initial interview and can help persuade hiring managers to lean to one applicant over another.
Over the past 20+ years I have collected over 1000 contacts and growing. Some come from high school and college classmates. Many are from work associates that I developed a relationship with during certain job assignments. Family, church and social group members round out most of the other contacts I know. These contacts are accessible via regular mail, email, phone and most recently via online social networks of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Renewing and strengthening existing relationships as well as making new ones will benefit everyone. Part of building relationships is giving more than receiving. By having strong relationships I will gain thousands of sets of eyes. Each set looking out for that next best career opportunity. If only a small percentage send me just one lead a day then dozens of potential opportunities will be discovered that I likely would have never seen.
Also, many of these leads will come from unpublished sources. In 48 Days to the Work You Love, Dan Miller states that only 12% of positions are posted in the paper. Knowing somebody that knows somebody that has an opportunity is invaluable. I expect my plan to contain much time dedicated to strengthening relationships that have had little time invested in them recently. Additional time will likely be dedicated to building many new worthwhile relationships as well. For more on the value of relationships check out my personal blog about my life.
As I quoted in my “farewell to Nortel” email, Charles “Tremendous” Jones said “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” I have met a lot of people and read a lot of books. I plan to meet more people and in addition to studying Dan Miller’s book there are many other books I plan to dedicate to reading over the coming weeks. Next on my list will likely be The Quick 30/30 Job Solution: Smart Job Search Tips for Surviving Today’s New Economy by Neil P. Mcnulty & Ronald L. Krannich, Ph.D.
Stay tuned for many other reading suggestions and to see how my job search project progresses.
Thank you for following and for emailing any leads you may have!
