What do you do when you are looking for a job? What are the best techniques to use? Do traditional techniques still work in a digital world? What about social networking? Many of these questions have to be answered on a 'head' and 'attitude' level. You can only rise as far as you are willing to be flexible in what you think and in how you react.
Many people don't have a plan when looking for a job because they aren't prepared for the prospect of a career search or transition. A lot of people dread interviewing and job "hunting". Many also feel afraid of showing their wares and possibly being rejected, even by 'headhunters'. What follows are a few thoughts that will hopefully change your view of job hunting and career search forever.
CONTROL - Although a lot of people tend to procrastinate when it comes to updating that resume or polishing up those interviewing skills, you should always be interview-ready. Being interview-ready puts you in better control of the situation. If you are in more control of your career you will be less likely to waste time when the unexpected occurs.
SELLING - Many people don't like the idea of selling because they think it is somehow unethical or unpleasant. However, everything in life is selling. When you look for new opportunities you are selling a product - YOU. Instead of being afraid of your product recognize that you know the most about your product.
WHAT IS SELLING? - Selling doesn't have to be unethical used car sales or an Internet scam. Selling is about education and relationships. First, you educate yourself about your product (YOU). What message are you trying to send? How can you position your product best? What are the most important attributes of your product? Once you have educated yourself about your product then you want to educate your target about your product. Second, selling is about relationships. In order to educate you have to create relationships.
People buy from people they like and the better you are at creating a relationship in the short term during an interview and in the long term within your network - the more likely someone will buy. To sell your product, people must know about it. Failure to promote yourself and you skills in your current position, within your current company, in your current industry and geography is one reason for failure to sell your product. If you sold a product, you would want it to be in as many places where people buy as possible. However, many of us get on the treadmill of just doing work but not really going anywhere professionally.
Once you know what you're selling and educate your target, you create as many positive relationships as possible to garner interest in YOU.
Check back soon for Part Two when we will discuss changing your vocabulary and your perspective.
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