I always thought my very first blog post would be about me.
After six years of writing for other blogs, I have my own blog, and I’m really excited about it.
I didn’t know when this would finally come together, but now that it has, it’s during a time when the U.S. job market is a mess and has a lot of people feeling hopeless. Aimless, even. So naturally, I’ve decided to talk about something just a bit more pressing than myself. Something that I already spend a great deal of time talking about during my coaching sessions with clients: how to navigate a job market plagued by global illness, recession, and the epiphany that remote work is (and quite honestly, has always been) the future.
Know what you’re dealing with.
Whether you are currently job searching or plan to do so in the near future, you have to go into this job market understanding that things have changed…a lot. Conducting an effective job search isn’t just about how up-to-date your resume is or knowing the right people; in order to get better results from your job search, you have to understand that the current market is a mess and that, even by bringing your best game to the hiring process, there are still obstacles you may have to overcome. The divide between employers who want workers back in the office and workers who are tired of having to physically show up to work is just one of those obstacles.
Be prepared to fix a problem.
More now than ever before, employers are seeking workers who can fix a problem, fill a gap, or meet a need. To give yourself an edge in the job search, demonstrate your ability to do one (or all) of these things in your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and during your interviews. Then, be prepared to deliver on that once you get the job.
If you’re seeking remote or hybrid work, be ready to show employers that you can deliver on everything you ”promised”, even if you’re not in the office. You should also be ready to answer interview questions that deal with staying productive while working remotely.
Get ready to rebrand.
Professional rebrands are no longer just for job candidates who are returning to the workforce after some time away or people who are changing careers. rebrands now apply to just about everyone – mainly because you have to show employers that you can take the same skills and experience you’ve been building on and use it for good in this current climate. And let’s be real – this climate is new to everyone, so everyone has to be ready to show that they can handle it while getting their jobs done.
So, how can you do this effectively? Refresh all your professional branding items, brush up on what’s happening in your field, and don’t shy away from sharing what you’ve learned during this period of transition.
Take a three-pronged approach.
One of the most important things you can do to help yourself get the job you want is understand that there is no one thing that will get it for you. It’s easy to think that getting your resume reviewed, doing a mock interview, or going to a networking event will get you the job.
It won’t. But doing a combination of at least three proven job search activities can absolutely help to set you apart, which is crucial in a job market where more than ten million people are searching. Doing a combination of these things consistently is even more likely to yield the results you want. Pick your three (or four, or five) things, and get to it.
Ultimately, this is a tough time for just about everyone. You’re not just managing a job search, which is hard enough. You’re managing a job search against a backdrop of economic downturn, racial injustice, a global pandemic, food and supply shortages, political upheaval, the day-to-day struggles that most people face at work, at home, and internally, and a whole lot of change.
Keep your head up – you’re doing your best.