Finding Work in a Slow Economy
Every week I get inquires from people regarding their job search. And, no matter how much I emphasize the need to invest in building relationships and targeting companies that are a fit, many resort to reviewing job boards as their only means for conducting a search. The end result is that they stay unemployed and continue to bemoan the “lack of jobs””.
Being unemployed is really not a fun condition when you have bills or overhead not being met, or rapidly depleting savings. It makes me wonder why then, people will continue a fruitless pursuit of employment, doing the same things over and over with no result, and refuse to change methods. I have heard “I make ten contacts a week, and I am not getting any response.” Ok, then, maybe you need to make 20, or maybe the method of contact you choose or what you say needs to change. (You think?). Or, “There aren’t any jobs posted.” (No kidding?).
Contrary to what some people would want you to believe, there ARE jobs out there. Promises for deliverables have been made and work is carrying on. Perhaps at a lower rate of production and perhaps each role is being scrutinized more carefully for ROI, but work is still getting done. Food is being delivered to grocery stores; people are still wearing clothes and driving cars that require tires, and using computers or phones to communicate. They are still getting sick and being treated. In every instance, there are support systems behind every deliverable. So, perhaps the needs are not heavily ADVERTISED, but work is getting done and somebody is doing it. If there aren’t any jobs posted, but people are still accepting offers for employment, then there is probably another way of learning about the opportunities that you haven’t tried.
In the past month, six of my clients have accepted offers for roles that were on target with their goals. (Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that in order to know what to look for, goals need to be established.) Each had done due diligence to know where they would like to work, what they wanted to do, where they are likely to find work and what they could do. Knowing what you can do, how competitive you are, and what is available are all critical to getting started. When a connection isn’t built between where a person is, what is available and where they want to be, it is impossible to move forward. The result is that a person can stay stuck on the thing that isn’t likely to happen in this market, and they get nowhere.
Each of the clients I referenced has a strong awareness of the steps they will take in these new roles to move toward their long term goals. Nobody ‘settled’ for something untenable. They developed their networks, asked questions, researched, made choices and have plans for moving forward. We’re ecstatic. To be on track with what you want to do and what is important to you is a huge accomplishment in any market. In our current economy, this is simply thrilling. Kudos goes out to those of you that rolled up your sleeves, did the research, started the conversations, and carried through on clues and leads. Well done!!
If you want to claim your fame, please add a comment and let people know it really can be done.
Sherri is right on with her advice and recommendations. I am a senior recruiter with over 10 years exp. I have known Sherri for many years both professionally and personally. I have heard her speak at events, have taken her networking workshop and have attended her client networking events. Her advice on employment topics are right on and when folks listen and follow her advice, they get work that fits their background and career needs. We are truly blessed to have her expertise. Read her blog advise and you will not be disappointed. If and when you need employment or career advice, definitely talk with Sherri, whom I recommend 100% plus. She is truly the BEST in my opinion.
I was reading your article Sherri and thinking that this totally relates to the job I have in sales. Let me repeat. I have a job and I still need to do what you are suggesting. Not only building internal relationships, but relationships with my peers, with my prospects, with my clients. It just never stops and I pray it never will.
Relationships make the world go round. To the degree we nurture and cultivate them they thrive, to the degree we only care for them when we need something the roots are pretty shallow and it puts any past investment of time and money, heart and soul in jeopardy. This is also where a problem stems. Lots of superficial contacts that don’t have any stake because you don’t either.
I just won a $200k project from a company I prospected almost 2 years ago. We met and I paid attention. I sent relevant industry articles, ideas that I thought might be helpful, dropped off home baked cookies, called on her birthday card, and sent a get well kit to her sick 6 year old. We know each other pretty well by now and she has appreciated my attentiveness. If I do well on this project it could turn into a $1m account for my firm.
So there is work out there for the diligent, persistent, genuine believers that contacts aren’t relationships and America is still the land of opportunity for those willing to produce.
Hi Charmel,
Great example! Thanks for sharing.
Sherri
I think I hold the honor of being 1 of the 6 clients Sherri spoke about. Yes I have a job! And YES it took a focused effort….
Know yourself: What are your goals? What value do you offer? What industry do you want to work in? What companies in that industry do you know or can learn about?
Know your target industry and target companies: Study the industry. Find people you know in the industry and met with them. Get introduced to people in the industry and network!
Make a plan. Work your plan! Have an objective for and script every conversation and interview you have. Learn how to talk about your experience and capabilities in terms that present value.
I completely agree there are jobs out there, I saw new postings everyday! Knowing myself helped me focus on those that were good fits. Having a network helped me find those that were a good fit. Having Goals, Plans and Objectives help me find a good fit. If you don’t have goals that can be put into objectives and actionable tasks, then finding work might happen only by accident, with the same potential results.
I think I hold the honor of being 1 of the 6 clients Sherri spoke about. Yes I have a job! And YES it took a focused effort….
Know yourself: What are your goals? What value do you offer? What industry do you want to work in? What companies in that industry do you know or can learn about?
Know your target industry and target companies: Study the industry. Find people you know in the industry and meet with them. Get introduced to people in the industry and network!
Make a plan. Work your plan! Have an objective for and script every conversation and interview you have. Learn how to talk about your experience and capabilities in terms that present value.
I completely agree that there are jobs out there. I saw new postings every day! Knowing myself helped me focus on those jobs that were a good fit. Having Goals, Plans and Objectives help me find a good fit. Having a network helped me find those that were a good fit. If you don’t have goals that can be put into objectives and actionable tasks, then finding work might happen only by accident.
I agree. I am glad to have made the decision to hire Sherrie as my career coach. Working with her has made my career/job search more deliberate and focus driven. I was using the job boards without much success because I was applying for many jobs I really didn’t want but, felt the need to try it. With your assistance I have been able to see value in networking with peers, asking for informational interviews…believe me it works. Not only does it build your confidence, you get a chance to clearly identify the direction you want to focus on. It brings clarity to how your past experience can apply. In addition, you’re able to determine the “ A,B or C”jobs. Which before I had not identified as being important to know.
You have to create the PLAN, work the PLAN for the PLAN to come to light! There is not hard it just requires doing the activity. I am still trying. Thank you Sherrie for your support.
Well, I can admit I am NOT one of the six Sherri refers to. I know the industry, the value I bring, my goals and companies to target. So, that leads to me “WHY” nobody has scooped me out of the unemployment pot and into their welcoming arms! After reading this article, I realize even though Sherri has counseled me in the past (eons ago) when I was unemployed, I STILL need guidance and coaching. And, dang it, I thought I knew it all! But… and here’s the catch… nobody knows it all (well, except maybe Sherri, because she’s darn good!).
I gotta say, to anyone who’s reading this: LISTEN TO HER PEOPLE!! SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE’S DOING! If you have been unemployed for a short time or a long time (and I know you’re out there, God bless you!), scrape up the money to do this. It’s important. It’s your future, it’s your life, it will save your sanity!!