comfy pants for your job search

​Stretchy Pants for your job search

A successful job search is a like an awesome pair of stretchy pants.  You need to be flexible and let it all hang out.
 
There is a certain amount of elasticity that successful job seekers have.  They are open, malleable and able to comfortably move or pivot to the need. 
 
The Elastic Job Seeker
 
Most job seekers that I work with see themselves as linear and skilled resources.  They message intensive study and years of experience in their field to an over-defined target.  They are constricted, restricted and they inevitably become their own obstacle.  I try to focus on increasing bandwidth and reach.  Getting out of the confines of a narrow field or target company, busting out of those tight job search trousers and showing employers what you have that they NEED…that is my mandate for soon-to-be job search success stories.
 
So, how do you add elasticity in your search?

1. You have a lane, a specialty.  Great, stick with it but allow yourself to be open to ancillary jobs and industries.
2. Seize momentum and opportunity by researching and going for roles where you can leverage your speak, your robust skillset in another role or industry.
3. Check out your competition on LinkedIn and see how they are messaging through their profile.  Mirror their wins with your own relevant wins in your unique voice.
4. Target your traditional audience and your new audience by focusing on company pain.
5. Develop a couple types of digital footprints for yourself with your new elastic job search.  Create digital content (LinkedIn, Quora, Reddit, Associations) to support these brands.
6. Take massive action every day to add decision makers in all your target fields and jobs.

 
The one secret that truly elastic job seekers have is the ability to pivot and pounce on opportunity.  They use the momentum of a multi-target job search to drive a constant flow of interest their way until they get the job offers they want.