The Five P's of Job Hunting

I work with and am connected to many people through my community and network. It keeps me energized and engaged in my work – to truly know so many people, and to share in their lives, work, and careers. Over the past while, several people have been going through job changes – some chosen, some not – and these often lead to reflections on goals and priorities as well as lessons about seeking new roles and work.

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I’ve observed some themes in this area that offer both support and guidance to those hunting for jobs and other who are considering a change.
 
Priorities. Whether you’re in job-hunting mode or reflecting on your current role, understanding your own priorities is essential for sound action and decision-making. Pursuing any opportunity without understanding its overall place in your life, and how it does or doesn’t align with your own goals, can take you down a difficult path – both to endure and to change. This doesn’t mean having a detailed roadmap for your career, but it does require some self-assessment and reflection to understand what’s important to you and where you want to be in your life (not just your career). With this knowledge, you will be better able to have…
 
Patience and persistence. Finding and then securing the “dream” job, or even your next job, requires both things. While today’s job market is tough, with more job seekers than jobs, with very rare exceptions the market is always tough. Also true is no matter the time of year, organizations are rarely efficient, fast, or transparent in their hiring processes. It requires job hunters to have patience when looking for and navigating to opportunities. You might see yourself as the perfect fit, and the hiring manager may see you the same way, but the reality is hiring takes time and is rarely certain for anyone. Unless you have that rare experience of being hunted, you need to persevere – to stick with it find and get the right job for you.
 
But patience does not mean passivity. Job seekers also need to be persistent. Treat job seeking as a job, with daily regular tasks and actions. In the first while, the job market will look flush with opportunities, but once you’ve sent off several dozen resumes, the hunt becomes less active. But this doesn’t mean inactive. For each application and interview, plan for follow-up that is persistent without being pesky. Every day, check on your usual job sites and read anything that looks interesting. Apply for things a bit beyond your usual area. Focus on your strengths and interests as well as your expertise. This is a time when you have the time and capacity to pivot – a little bit or a lot – so why not explore and reach a bit. And use your current free time to network: reach out to colleagues to connect and catch-up, without a job-hunting agenda, just a chance to reinforce your connections. This is all about maintaining your…
 
Presence. Depending on your situation, connecting with people can feel challenging. Maybe you don’t want to appear needy, or you want to avoid talking about your previous employer or the circumstances of your departure. Regardless, you need to continue to be present in your network and community. You never know where a connection might be, one could lead to something – another connection, the inside scoop about a new team or position. More importantly, maintaining some presence in the community reminds you of your knowledge and skills, and demonstrates both strength and vulnerability in difficult times. You don’t have to be a social butterfly but making some efforts – a coffee with a colleague, an email to someone you haven’t seen in a while, a social media post – as part of your daily job-hunting routine can contribute you sustaining your network, and maybe just find the advantage you need. This can be hard work, especially if you’re feeling despondent or frustrated, but you need to find ways to remain…
 
Positive. Being pessimistic about your options feels terrible and is difficult to mask. Pessimism will come through in your interactions with others, no matter how good an actor you think you are. Pessimism can also make us desperate – pursuing or even accepting opportunities which are not good for us, just to bring the job hunt to an end. While financial pressures are real and should be part of your decision-making about a new job, it is rarely true that any job is better than no job. Remind yourself of your priorities, of your efforts to date, the encouragement from your network. Consider taking the opportunity to explore less obvious paths or those that may have seemed impossible before. If you decide to take an immediate but less desirable opportunity, consider it as an interim or transitional role and keep up the job hunt as a side hustle.
 
Job hunting is never easy, and while it is an independent activity, it doesn’t have to be solitary. Lean on your network and close colleagues for support, mentorship, and relief. If it makes sense for your timing and finances, consider some more formal assistance with a coach or a recruiter. And be sure to include some regular time away from job hunting for rest, reflection, and restoration so you can bring your best self to your applications, interviews, and the inevitable first day at your new job.
 
What about you – what are you experiences and tips for job hunting? Please comment below or email me at [email protected] with your questions and feedback. 

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