Why is it that some people seem to have “all the luck?” Here you’ve been, slogging away at a focused job search for weeks, months, or even years, yet certain contacts in your circles just seem to “pop” between jobs with nary a blink of the eye with little or no “downtime” in between.
Say what?
What’s wrong with this picture? It just doesn’t seem fair that you put a ton of elbow grease into a job search, yet those folks seem to flit by without going through the roller coaster of emotions, personal struggles, and financial desperation that you’ve been through this entire time. Not that you would wish this on anyone, but still… what do they have that you don’t?
It’s a fair question to ask.
Time to take a second look. It could be that there are barriers in front of you that you don’t even know that exist.
Referrals evolve through a series of circumstances. But in order to make those circumstances happen, you need to purposefully work towards making the pieces align at some point in the future. By working in the present, you are creating the opportunities that will come together later – which is likely what these other folks have done.
Barriers To Contact Referrals In A Job Search
This process isn’t magic. It has been the culmination of a much longer process that goes beyond the immediacy of a job search. Here are the top five barriers to job or contact referrals:
1. You Didn't Maintain Relationships With Key Influencers
How are you managing your network? Are you so focused on moving toward the next event and the new people that you forget to circle back to last week’s function? Many people are so busy trying to be a networking ice-breaker ship that they forget to keep the waters clear on the channel that they just broke open.
Don’t neglect those you just met. Many times, the contacts who aren’t particularly helpful to you in the present can actually be the ones who deliver in the future. Don’t bank on the immediacy contacts from the present moment… make a long-term investment of your referrers of tomorrow. Build long-term connections that will make your pipeline as smooth
2. You Don’t Ask For Them
The most successful people in life are the ones who aren’t afraid to ask for what they want. There is no "beneficent" angel looking down upon each one of us, waiting for that one moment to reward us. Instead, hard work and willingness to express ourselves at the appropriate time can open the doors that seemed closed. But be careful: coming across as “entitled” will dampen your referral prospects. There is a fine line between assertively stepping up and being obnoxiously egotistical… make sure you understand it and don’t cross that threshold!
3. You Don’t Have A Skill Or Culture Fit
Sometimes, in the throes of despair, job seekers start floundering and begin using the shotgun approach. They do this in hopes of hitting something or anything if they stretch their field wide enough. This never works.
Remember, whoever might be referring you is actually putting their credibility on the line by making that referral… and if you don’t deliver on the goods (i.e. the necessary job qualifications and culture fit), that has a negative impact on their reputation. So, have the honest conversation with yourself as to whether you are actually qualified for the job and feel that you would be the right fit before asking someone to go to bat for you.
4. You Came Out Of Left Field
Every relationship has a beginning, and as the old adage goes, “There’s only one opportunity to make a first impression.” There’s obviously always that awkward moment when you make contact with someone that you do not know where you need to establish credibility and build a connection. This means there is a “honeymoon” period to the relationship where trust and rapport are being cultivated. Jumping into motion too soon with a referral request will send the wrong message that you are a “user” only bent on accessing this person’s ability to refer for your own gain. If you came out of left field and are new to this person of influence, take the time to become a known quantity in their network before asking for help.
5. You Are All Bark And No Bite
Another huge obstacle to referrals is when a person ends up being able to talk a good game but don’t show up on game day. Your reputation is your employment currency; treat it that way. Safeguard your reputation and make sure you can produce the goods. Be careful about promising what you can’t deliver and overblowing your credentials. Anyone who refers you only to find out that you aren’t QUITE what you say you are will feel burned. And, like elephants, they won’t forget.
Keep these points in mind when asking for referrals, and consciously and proactively groom your networks for future opportunities!
Are you terrified of screwing up a job interview? Does the thought of writing a cover letter horrify you? Are you scared to network with others? What do you even say, anyway? If you're struggling to overcome your job search fears, this live event is for you.
We get it. Looking for work can be scary, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time and haven’t gotten any results.
Understanding which fears are getting in the way and how to overcome them will make all the difference. Sometimes you might not be aware of which obstacle is getting in the way of your goals. If you want to overcome these fears once and for all, we invite you to join us!
In this training, you’ll learn how to:
Utilize strategies for coping with your job search fears
Be confident in your job search—from writing your resume to networking
Face your fears and move forward
Join our CEO, J.T. O'Donnell, and Director of Training Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live event on Wednesday, October 5th at 12 pm ET.
CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? That's okay. You'll have access to the recording and the workbook after the session!
True or false? Recruiters don't read cover letters.
Most people may think this is true, but guess what? They're wrong!
Recruiters do, in fact, read the good cover letters.
So, what does that tell us? If most people don't hear back from recruiters, and recruiters only read good cover letters, that means a majority of cover letters aren't written well and, therefore, don't stand out to them.
That may be hard to hear, but it's the truth.
CRITICAL Cover Letter Mistakes
Often, there's WAY too much "blah, blah, blah" and "brag, brag, brag" going on in a cover letter. If you write a cover letter that only focuses on how great you are, recruiters are going to toss it.
Why? Because it's exactly like all the other cover letters they've read.
Think about it. Why should they think you're incredible when they've read hundreds of other cover letters saying other people are incredible, too?
If you want to stand out in the hiring process, you MUST have an attention-grabbing cover letter. This an important tool to have, and one that shouldn't be glossed over. In some cases, your cover letter can hold more power than your resume. That's huge, right?
Getting Personal On Your Cover Letter
Bigstock
Because the cover letter holds so much power, you need to know how to write one that stands out from the rest. One way to do that is to show a personal connection with the employer.
So, how exactly do you do that?
You can explain how you learned that what they do is special. Showing them that you personally connect with their brand will make you memorable.
Another thing you can do is tell them what it was like the first time you used their product or service. That also shows recruiters that you understand the company and that you believe in what they do.
Lastly, you can tell them about an overall life experience that helps you feel connected to their tribe. This shows that your values and beliefs align with theirs.
The big fact here is that the more personal the cover letter, the better! When you have a cover letter that really has recruiters at "hello," you know you have their heart AND their mind engaged.
Creating That Crucial Connection
Bigstock
The reason you want to get personal in your cover letter is because you want to create an emotional connection with a recruiter. Once you establish that connection, you're not just a piece of paper anymore.
This is what we at Work It Daily call a disruptive cover letter. Why? Because it disrupts the reader and gets them to snap out of autopilot mode and really think about who you are as a candidate.
The First Step When Writing A Disruptive Cover Letter
Bigstock
The first thing you need to do is watch a quick video tutorial on how to write this kind of cover letter. You're going to want to see specific examples so that you know how you should be writing them.
Step 2: Fill Out A Simple Template
Bigstock
You'll have a template that tells you where the beginning, middle, and end of your cover letter are, and what content should be where. This gives you a great foundation for how to fill out a cover letter properly.
Step 3: Submit That Cover Letter For Review
Bigstock
Once you're done with your amazing cover letter, have someone review it.
It's always good to have a second set of eyes on this, especially someone who understands cover letters, recruiters, and the hiring process. This person should be checking grammar, spelling, etc.
So, when all is said and done, how long should it take you to craft a disruptive cover letter? The average time is between one and two hours. That may seem like a lot of time, but think of it this way: once you've built a cover letter you know will grab a recruiter's attention, you'll be able to use that cover letter format for other job opportunities. You'll just have to tweak the content in your disruptive cover letter here and there to match the company and job you're applying to.
Does The Disruptive Cover Letter REALLY Work?
Bigstock
Here at Work It Daily, we know these disruptive cover letters work. We've seen hundreds of our clients write KILLER cover letters and get calls for their dream jobs!
So, wouldn't learning how to write your own disruptive cover letter be good for your career? If so, how much would it be worth?
All of us at Work It Daily personally believe that it's priceless.
Owning your career change or job search process is a powerful thing, and we believe you can take control of that process and do incredible things.
Need more help writing a disruptive cover letter recruiters will love?
Let's face it: job search can be challenging, and staying motivated during a frustrating job search can seem impossible sometimes. However, it's critical that you stay positive. Otherwise, you risk falling into a downward spiral, which will only make things worse.
So, how can you get past your job search struggles?
Here are some tips for staying motivated during a frustrating job search:
1. Find Things You Can Get Excited About
What gets you excited? Think about your hobbies and interests. What do you do for fun in your life? Make sure you dedicate at least one day a week to doing what you love. This will help you get your mind off of the negative and focus on the things you enjoy.
Looking for a job shouldn't take up all of your time. By customizing your resume for each position you apply for and writing disruptive cover letters, you won't need to spend hours a day sending your job applications to a dozen different employers. Two or three will do.
For a strategic job search, quality is always better than quantity. It also means you'll stay motivated, won't get burnt out, and still have time to do the things you love to do. Balance is key!
2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You
Bigstock
When you're feeling down in the dumps, it's important to surround yourself with positivity. Make an effort to meet up with positive influences in your life—your family, friends, significant other, and mentors. These people will help you stay on track.
Also, surround yourself with your "virtual mentors," people who inspire you from afar. Whether they're celebrities, successful business people, or authors, keep them "nearby." Read their books or showcase their inspirational quotes. A little inspiration can go a long way.
3. Help Others
Bigstock
Helping makes us feel good! If you're feeling bad about yourself, see how you can help someone else. Volunteer. Pay it forward. Give back somehow. This will recharge you and get you in a good mood.
Another way to help others is to provide value to your professional network, whether on LinkedIn or in person. Share articles, videos, or podcasts you find inspirational, informative, and insightful. Offer to help your connections in any way you can. Chances are, they will be more than happy to return the favor, and may refer you to an open position at their company.
Never help anyone with the expectation of receiving something in return, though! If helping others keeps you motivated and makes you feel grateful for what you do have, don't stop doing it while looking for a job.
4. Get Some Exercise
Bigstock
You've got to expel that negative energy! Make sure you take time to exercise daily. Take a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Lift weights. Just get GOING! Exercising equal endorphins and endorphins make you happy.
Not having structure can make your life seem unstable. Create a plan for your week on Sunday nights. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you like to-do lists, write one of those too.
You'll feel accomplished at the end of the week when you look back and see everything you got done while making time for yourself and prioritizing your career as well as your physical and mental well-being.
Staying motivated during a frustrating job search isn't easy. We hope these tips will help you find the motivation to not only land your next job but also improve your career.
When everything feels overwhelming, just remember to work it daily! Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Good luck out there.