By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt “There is only one thing worse in life than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” (Oscar Wilde)
When searching for employment everyone wants to create the “we can’t live without this candidate!” buzz. There is always the fear your resume will go unnoticed or deleted. It’s easy to feel as though you are the opposing player in a ruthless game after sending your resume or after that first round of interviews.
There is the waiting game: “I interviewed a week ago and haven’t heard anything.”
The hoping game: “Did they notice my qualifications are a perfect match?”
And, the dreaded losing game: "I haven’t had a single interview, I must be a loser!”
Instead of playing the disempowering game of looking for a job, what if you launched a campaign for ‘the best job ever’? Imagine bumper stickers with your name and tag line, “Jennifer Smith, Director of Sales 2009!”
By definition, to campaign is to use a systematic course of activities for some specific purpose. It would be a more refreshing approach to brand yourself to your target audience, be known by them and network with them such that they want you to contribute your leadership and skills to their cause.
When we are focused on a goal we have something to live into, and when we share this goal with the people around us, they help us succeed. Much like a candidate who campaigns for a certain position in office, you too could create a future to live into using a systematic course of activities for a specific purpose: that perfect job or for some the perfect paycheck.
CHECK OUT this VIDEOwith Kris where she explains the value of a career campaign.
A successful campaign has a clearly defined goal and a strategic course of action with an organized time line. Leaders in positions of influence didn’t campaign for the position on a part-time basis. It also wasn’t handed to them either; they had a plan, they committed and they yielded results.
Following is a loose outline of a campaign strategy for job hunting. Please use this as an inspirational guideline to creating your own employment campaign. Go ye forth and get yourself employed while maintaining your confidence, leading your success and having fun!
1. Identify your goal – state what you want using the SMART goal process: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely
For example: “I will be employed as a PM with a hi-tech company in the Seattle area making no less than $100K, with full benefits, by July 1, 2009” is a SMART goal compared to “I need to get a job soon.”
The key to identifying your goals is to fine tune your SMART goal to represent exactly what you want by when you want it.
Coaching tip: Create this campaign in your own style so you are excited and eager to get up out of bed and start the ball rolling every day. Have fun with it!
2. Develop your objectives – measurable actions from which you can assess that your goal(s) are being met and achieved.
Set specific dates that are milestones for having X number of interviews, job offers, resumes sent, people networked with, coffee meetings or lunches with network members, etc.
For example: Document in your calendar by May 15 you will have sent out 10 resumes, scheduled 3 coffee dates with leaders in your network and 2 informational interviews with colleagues in the industry you are searching in.
The key to managing your objectives is to check in daily and weekly to see if you are meeting them. If you’re not, see what is happening that keeps you from achieving your objectives. I can guarantee 80% of the time it will be you getting in your own way.
Coaching tip: Don’t consult your inner voice when it says, “I don’t feel like looking for a job today.” Hang up on that conversation and move forward. Being unemployed has consequences, especially when you have others who are impacted by your lack of a paycheck.
Enjoying this article? You could get the best career advice daily by subscribing to us via e-mail.3. Design a strategy – a plan of action that can be used as your game plan for reaching your goal(s).
Use the Measurable aspect of your SMART goal to guide your strategy.
For example: For 2-3 hrs a day focus on researching new positions in your field of expertise and related fields. Also research the latest in lingo and new developments that will keep you up-to-date in your industry while you're unemployed.
Then spend 2-3 hours sending resumes, networking, responding to blogs relevant to your field of interest, or better yet contribute regularly to an established post that recruiters and hiring managers read.
Then finish the day spending 2-3 hours responding to and following up with people who have responded to your campaign. (Scheduling interviews, sending thank you letters, responding to people in your communities and networks who are checking in, etc.)
Coaching tip: When people in your communities, your circles of friends, family and colleagues know who you are (your brand) and what you are doing (campaigning for your SMART goal), they keep their eyes out for things that will help you succeed. Keep the fires of your network/community burning hot!
It’s your choice how you want to handle being unemployed. But believe me as a former recruiter, we don’t hire victims we hire leaders who perform and produce results. We do observe the candidates we interview and how they are handling their job search. If they are being leaders in their employment campaign then we more than likely want them on our team. It’s a good demonstration on how they would handle challenges in their positions. As Oscar Wilde suggests, make yourself known such you are talked about.
Create a campaign. Get known. Get hired.By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt “There is only one thing worse in life than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” (Oscar Wilde)
When searching for employment everyone wants to create the “we can’t live without this candidate!” buzz. There is always the fear your resume will go unnoticed or deleted. It’s easy to feel as though you are the opposing player in a ruthless game after sending your resume or after that first round of interviews.
There is the waiting game: “I interviewed a week ago and haven’t heard anything.”
The hoping game: “Did they notice my qualifications are a perfect match?”
And, the dreaded losing game: "I haven’t had a single interview, I must be a loser!”
Instead of playing the disempowering game of looking for a job, what if you launched a campaign for ‘the best job ever’? Imagine bumper stickers with your name and tag line, “Jennifer Smith, Director of Sales 2009!”
By definition, to campaign is to use a systematic course of activities for some specific purpose. It would be a more refreshing approach to brand yourself to your target audience, be known by them and network with them such that they want you to contribute your leadership and skills to their cause.
When we are focused on a goal we have something to live into, and when we share this goal with the people around us, they help us succeed. Much like a candidate who campaigns for a certain position in office, you too could create a future to live into using a systematic course of activities for a specific purpose: that perfect job or for some the perfect paycheck.
CHECK OUT this VIDEOwith Kris where she explains the value of a career campaign.
A successful campaign has a clearly defined goal and a strategic course of action with an organized time line. Leaders in positions of influence didn’t campaign for the position on a part-time basis. It also wasn’t handed to them either; they had a plan, they committed and they yielded results.
Following is a loose outline of a campaign strategy for job hunting. Please use this as an inspirational guideline to creating your own employment campaign. Go ye forth and get yourself employed while maintaining your confidence, leading your success and having fun!
1. Identify your goal – state what you want using the SMART goal process: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely
For example: “I will be employed as a PM with a hi-tech company in the Seattle area making no less than $100K, with full benefits, by July 1, 2009” is a SMART goal compared to “I need to get a job soon.”
The key to identifying your goals is to fine tune your SMART goal to represent exactly what you want by when you want it.
Coaching tip: Create this campaign in your own style so you are excited and eager to get up out of bed and start the ball rolling every day. Have fun with it!
2. Develop your objectives – measurable actions from which you can assess that your goal(s) are being met and achieved.
Set specific dates that are milestones for having X number of interviews, job offers, resumes sent, people networked with, coffee meetings or lunches with network members, etc.
For example: Document in your calendar by May 15 you will have sent out 10 resumes, scheduled 3 coffee dates with leaders in your network and 2 informational interviews with colleagues in the industry you are searching in.
The key to managing your objectives is to check in daily and weekly to see if you are meeting them. If you’re not, see what is happening that keeps you from achieving your objectives. I can guarantee 80% of the time it will be you getting in your own way.
Coaching tip: Don’t consult your inner voice when it says, “I don’t feel like looking for a job today.” Hang up on that conversation and move forward. Being unemployed has consequences, especially when you have others who are impacted by your lack of a paycheck.
Enjoying this article? You could get the best career advice daily by subscribing to us via e-mail.3. Design a strategy – a plan of action that can be used as your game plan for reaching your goal(s).
Use the Measurable aspect of your SMART goal to guide your strategy.
For example: For 2-3 hrs a day focus on researching new positions in your field of expertise and related fields. Also research the latest in lingo and new developments that will keep you up-to-date in your industry while you're unemployed.
Then spend 2-3 hours sending resumes, networking, responding to blogs relevant to your field of interest, or better yet contribute regularly to an established post that recruiters and hiring managers read.
Then finish the day spending 2-3 hours responding to and following up with people who have responded to your campaign. (Scheduling interviews, sending thank you letters, responding to people in your communities and networks who are checking in, etc.)
Coaching tip: When people in your communities, your circles of friends, family and colleagues know who you are (your brand) and what you are doing (campaigning for your SMART goal), they keep their eyes out for things that will help you succeed. Keep the fires of your network/community burning hot!
It’s your choice how you want to handle being unemployed. But believe me as a former recruiter, we don’t hire victims we hire leaders who perform and produce results. We do observe the candidates we interview and how they are handling their job search. If they are being leaders in their employment campaign then we more than likely want them on our team. It’s a good demonstration on how they would handle challenges in their positions. As Oscar Wilde suggests, make yourself known such you are talked about.
Create a campaign. Get known. Get hired.
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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