It’s not enough to be optimistic

6 key points for job hunters to keep in mind

Let’s face it. Its simply more fun to be around positive people.

You know, the ones who are just not phased  by a late running train or the little frustrations of life.

I’ve found that these people are even better to be around in the tougher times, like we are experiencing right now.

Recently I’ve met a few of them who are currently Job Hunting and I’ve noticed something – that great  optimism can be the devil on you shoulder, chattering away and distracting you from the realities of a successful job hunt.

Here are six things I’ve identified as key in helping you to the front of the queue.

1. Plan for the long game

It’ll be great if the perfect job just presents itself in the first week of searching, and that may well happen. But if it doesn’t then different tactics will be needed. This will mean, first of all, that you need to manage your own expectations and then you must manage the expectations of those around you. The business of job hunting will be made much easier if you have the support of those around you.

2. Adopt a ‘pay it forward’ mind set

Of course this works well at all times, not just when you are job hunting. You probably have already experienced this at some point,  or seen someone who ‘just has stuff fall in their laps all the time’ – what you may not have seen is all the giving that person does. It really works, I can promise you of that. Fine, you might say. What should I do? A good starting point might be to find out some needs of people you know and try to help them achieve those needs. Get together with other people you know who are looking for a job and work collaboratively together. It doesn’t matter if they are able to help you in return because the favour won’t necessarily come from that person, that’s the great part about it.

3. Understand that recruiters, head-hunters and job-boards are not miracle workers

Of course it is important to engage and build a relationship with these partners. I ask every job hunter that I meet what they action they have taken in their search so far – and almost with-out exception the answer is ‘ signed up with a few agencies’ and maybe sometimes ‘put my CV on such and such a job board’.

One important factor to keep front of mind is just the maths of the current situation. Less jobs and more candidates means a lower chance of success  if this is your only avenue. Work hard Increase those odds by building a strong relationship with your contacts, be honest about the suitability of any roles you discuss, responding quickly to any contact, respecting their time (by not calling daily for an update, they will call you when they have something – believe me, its in their interests because it is their revenue stream) and offer something back when you can (see point 2)

4. Network, Network, Network

Since only around 1 in 10 jobs is filled using an external recruiter that means there are many many opportunities that recruited directly by the employer through advertising or recommendation. These are good jobs to pursue, often there will be less competition, you can have a direct dialogue with the employer and if you make the connection through networking you already have an ‘ endorsement’ from the person who referred you. So once you have drawn up your target employers make sure that you network with as many people as you can from those businesses.

5. Divide your risk

It’s easy to do. Something great comes along, you have a couple of interviews, which go well and they seem to like you. Then time starts to go by and you don’t pursue other opportunities with the same tenacity that you might have. Then the great role gets put on hold or something stops it happening ( there is a lot of this right now) and all of a sudden a couple of months have passed, nothing meaningful is on the table

6. Keep busy, in mind and body

Sure, for the first couple of weeks being able to get up late and do some gardening is a good break. You want to make sure though, that you keep on top of your game.  So why not do some volunteer work, take a night school class.. or even teach something you are knowledgeable about?

So keep optimistic, but mix in some strategy to your search too. In fact, treat it like your own mini business. Hatch a marketing plan and nurture mybrand to success.