Guest post by Jamie Soo

Like you I was a job searcher up until three weeks ago.
I have a lot of empathy for the situation you find yourself in.
It’s important to acknowledge your disappointment and other feelings you may be feeling.
But after that it’s time to try to move on, even a little bit.
You may not like (or possibly hear) the suggestions that I make about possible jobs to look into.
But maybe you can file my suggestions away and look at it again when you’re ready to explore some new possibilities?
I know it may be hard to believe, but there are people who want to help you.
In Ontario there are government-funded agencies that will help you in your job search.
Ask for informational interviews.
Tap into your LinkedIn network for advice and support.
If we are connected, I would love to help, if only to provide suggestions.
Try to find some inspiration to think a little more positively.
For me, I find inspiration in Pink’s song “Try”, particularly this line:

“You gotta get up and try, and try, and try”

Maybe think of a quote that you find inspiring.
I heard Tim Cork give a speech a couple of years ago.
In that speech he said this quote that I find inspirational:

“The past is history, the future is a mystery, today is a gift that is called the present”

We don’t have control over what people think, but we do have control over our own thoughts, feelings and perceptions.
It’s important to manage the impressions that others form of us.
How are you coming across in interviews?
Are you coming across as a positive person who can help with an employer’s pain?
Or are you holding on to perceptions about how others may have treated you in the past?
I came across a Forbes article today called “How workers in their 50s and 60s can thrive in today’s fast-changing world.”
Notwithstanding the headline, this article is of interest to all job seekers, whatever your age.
The article suggests that job seekers seek to continuously learn, be open to change and to re-inventing themselves.
I know it’s difficult, but when you’re ready, try to set aside the past and think a little more positively.
Reflect on your skills and what you like to do.
Be open to learning and thinking about how you can apply your skills in this fast-changing world of ours.
My friend once said to me “maintain the persistence.”
And I for one know you can do it.

(Jamie Soo is a Human Resources professional who is interested in the future of work and building great workplace cultures.  He prides himself on being a relationship builder and positive communicator. Jamie writes a LinkedIn blog in his spare time.)

This article/picture was published in LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/try-jamie-soo?published=t

A friend from a networking group was going crazy. His job search was going nowhere. He was doing everything right, or so he thought. He was networking furiously, seeking out networking meetings, scanning the internet for posted jobs, contacting agencies/recruiters/head hunters and checking his cell phone every now and again for job leads being sent to him by friends, online groups etc. He was sending out resumes by the dozens…. After about 9 plus months of job searching he had sent out at least 400 resumes!

His resume was perfect  🙂  He was going for interview after interview. But, he was not getting the job! What could possibly be wrong?

Now, I know what an experienced recruiter would say. If your resume is getting you interviews, then that is probably not the problem. But if the interview is not getting you the job, then look at the interview process again. Perhaps you are not interviewing well and you ought to dissect your interviewing skills to perfect this part.

But my friend was adamant. His interview skills was also perfect 🙂 In fact, for some jobs he had reached the 3^rd, 4^th and even the 5^th interview but usually lost out to internal candidates. My friend was not happy! He just couldn’t understand the job market anymore. Actually, to be honest, he was mighty ticked off. And, in this state I would caution everyone to do nothing until you’ve had a moment to reach that calm inner place.

But my friend was not to be deterred. He was highly accomplished, had just completed an international assignment. He had plenty of good experience and was confident of his expertise in the field he was in.

In this ticked off mood, he took a second look at LinkedIn and decided to do the following:

He sent a note to about 10 contacts, all at VP/Director level. LinkedIn filters work well! In this note, he asked them a simple question. What value do I bring to the table with all my experience and accomplishments? Because if you don’t think I have any value then everything I have done to date amounts to nothing.

Now, my words are a crude attempt to get the message across but the gist was exactly as per the above. I know my friend carefully drafted the message, personalized each one and sent out the email more as a ‘seeking advice’ kind of note. He was feeling unsure of his value and was upset by his inability to connect with companies and showcase his skills set. I sat wide-eyed while he related this. I would not have sought to define myself like that, leave alone think it. But apparently this novel approach paid off.

Three people responded to his email, a back and forth ensued, he received a conditional offer from one company which was subsequently confirmed. My friend is no longer unemployed. But the experience humbled him. He gained an appreciation for the job search effort and resolved to keep in touch with his newly found networking group buddies.

I love successful job search stories because they give invaluable practical advice that adds to the job search portfolio. Another tried and tested method. It may not work for all but hey, this worked for him. LinkedIn is an amazing tool and has enormous potential for a job seeker. Go ahead, use it. Just don’t be ticked off, when you do. I really wouldn’t recommend that 🙂

I couldn’t resist using the title of the song by the English punk rock band, The Clash, from their album Combat Rock. It has a nice catchy ring to it and the song was the band’s only number-one single on the UK Singles Chart.

But I digress, to come back to the article, there comes a point in people’s careers when they ponder the question, should I stay or should I go? There are several scenarios but today we’ll focus on the ‘You want to stay in the same field, but are just looking for another company’.

This thinking doesn’t come overnight, it’s the little things that bug you, and you finally reach a point where you are seriously contemplating your next move. Little things like;

• Feeling underappreciated. The pay doesn’t cut it anymore.
• Benefits and perks are being cut.
• You’re overworked. Too many multi-tasking events where prioritization just doesn’t work.
• Your manager is a ……… and you can’t work with them anymore.
• The job is too stressful.
• Management just doesn’t understand! They are too restrictive.
• Your colleagues aren’t helpful.

And the list goes go on and on. Suffice to say, when you reach this point, something has to give. Feeling this way is not conducive to your well-being.

Consider this before you head off in this direction.

1. Make a list of the pros and cons of staying in your current job. This could include:
   • Timing – does the morning time still suit you. Do you stay too late?
   • Current compensation, benefits, vacation and perks. Will another job pay you more? Research the market for trends.
   • You might have to start all over again. Presently you may be the senior most employee. Does this matter to you?
   • You know everyone, you are comfortable. You’ve built up a reputation. In the new place you probably have to prove yourself. Are you okay with this?
2. The cliché, the grass is not always green on the other side of the fence, still holds true. Ask yourself what would be different in the next job – refer to your pros and cons list.
3. Are you just wanting to move because you’re bored? Or because truly, you don’t see any opportunity to grow? Is emotion getting in the way? Is the job impacting your health and well-being? Stack your reasons in the pros or cons columns.
4. Do you need a new challenge? Is this not possible in the same job?
5. Have you looked at the current company you are in? Can you move laterally or be promoted?
6. Check the positions in the job market. Go on job sites, look at the ads. Talk to people in the field, do your homework.
7. Write out ‘what if’ scenarios if you were to stay or go. Which alternative is acceptable to you, in keeping with your goals and objectives?
8. At the end of the exercise, compare your reasons for moving or staying. If you have considered all options, you should be able to see a clear contrast that should assist you in your decision.
9. Chalk out a clear plan of action including next steps. Map it all out. The more detail you put on paper, the better.

At the end of the day, you have to do the best thing for YOU. Make your choice and follow your plan.

Remember, as life happens, things may change, outcomes are never guaranteed. But if your choice is based on good reasoning you should be able to move forward, confident in the knowledge that you made the best decision given all the information available to you at the time.

Image courtesy David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net