 Every successful job seeker projects the best version of their professional self. The problem is that as the job search protracts we start to doubt our talent, abilities, acumen. We wear this doubt in our search and it becomes an albatross that prevents us from being our best. It blocks us from executing an effective job search and securing the amplified roles we want. During the dotcom bust in 2001, I conducted a miserable job search. As a staffing leader, I should have been able to execute a quick and painless search. After a few months of executing, what I now call, a Direct Mail Campaign Job Search (Sending a brochure of me, my resume, to gatekeepers), I had to figure out new plays, better strategy, a stickier value. Sadly, I was anchored in lethargy and I relegated myself to the worst strategies. I just waited and hoped. I had worked for some pretty kind Chief Human Resources Officers that still found value in me. They shook me. They made me remember my best self. I followed their advice and did two things. One, I called former colleagues and asked them what they thought of me when we worked together. They almost universally told me a value, wrapped in robust examples, of how I lifted them. I polished these value pieces and started crafting a new professional brand. Plus, I just felt so good from hearing their version of me. They remembered my best ME! Next, I ran for validation. Whether it was coffee, content creation or speaking opportunities I forced myself to have a take, put my chin out there and get feedback. Not everyone loved my take on what I did best but enough did to ignite me. And I was back! Validation is the most powerful drug for your search. Within three weeks I had turned a flat, protracted search into an engaging new search with an amplified me that started to convert great offers. Call colleagues, get social and get connected back to your best you. It will end your search.
I did it. I executed the worst strategies and handed jobs to my competition...jobs that should have been mine. Here's what changed.
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AuthorI am just a guy standing in front of a job seeker asking them to let me help them get hired. Archives
February 2019
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