Working the Hidden Job Market - The Basics

Everyone you meet is a potential lead when actively looking for work.  Since you rely on friends and acquaintances to help you locate work, make sure you handle yourself well. This means that you develop and maintain a reputation as someone that does excellent work, is reliable, trustworthy, punctual, etc. Your friends will have a hard time recommending or asking questions on your behalf if you are not someone worthy of working with.

Volunteer. Many organizations rely on volunteers, and this can be an excellent way for you to become known in the community and expand your skills at the same time. The added benefit is that you get to give back to your community.

Do Your Research. Read the news, investigate companies, and do your homework to learn about companies that interest you or are in your area. Check their websites (and their career postings on those sites) while you develop an idea of what they are like, who their clients are, or why you would want to work for them.

When you are working the hidden job market, you are promoting yourself. Do it happily and shamelessly to get the job you want. Take advantage of publishing software to create a business card or postcard (because you won't be carrying your resume everywhere you go, but you could manage a postcard). Imagine a postcard that advertises who you are and what you can do. Make sure you aren't shrinking your entire resume onto the card; leave plenty of space.

Work Satisfaction is Vital!

"Vocation" is the word we use to describe a calling or work where you find purpose. Working within your vocation means it is much more likely to enjoy your work. Work satisfaction is vital as you look in terms of the next job that you want to do. 

That may sound vague, so let's flesh it out a little. Your vocation, or purpose, is a theme for your entire life, not just work. The type of service you are here to provide is the aspects of life that you will serve, protect, or heal. 

Your purpose is present in every area of your life. It is:

• Fun
• Absorbing
• Energizing
• Fulfilling
• Something that fits you absolutely 

You know you are living your purpose when:

• You like getting up in the morning (or at least most mornings!)
• You can see the contributions that you are making through work
• Your income meets your needs and goals
• Your relationships are satisfying
• You feel healthy and energetic
• You feel good about yourself

The Importance of Values When Seeking Employment

Values exist at your very core. Understanding what you value means targeting the right companies for the right job. When our values are inconsistent with a workplace, we disengage and leave it physically or emotionally.

Do you know the things that are important to you? Although they may struggle with putting their values into words, people often do. Define what is important to you in terms of work and decide what kinds of jobs you will look for or companies you will consider.

Your values are fundamental to you. It's essential to match your values with those of your work. For example, if one of your values is about being paid what you are worth. You work somewhere that pays everyone the same wage no matter how much work they do; your values don't match the organizations. There may not be a big problem initially. Still, over time, if you observe that people are getting paid the same as you without seeming to work as hard, you may become cynical. Suppose you value the idea that teamwork and the efforts of the team combine to make the company do well. In that case, you may not have any difficulty having everyone paid the same wage.

 

# #employment #seekingemployment #seekingjob #jobhunting

Job Search Means Action - The Right Action

This is how most people look for work and how most employers look for candidates 

This is the order of effort that most people dedicate to their job search: 

1. Internet job boards and Help wanted ads
2. Employment agencies
3. Placement agencies
4. Networking
5. Direct employer contact 

This is the order of priority that employers use to look for candidates: 

1. Internal networks
2. Internal job postings
3. External networks
4. Placement agencies
5. Internet job boards and Want ads 

As you can see, the order in which employers look for candidates is nearly the reverse of the order in which most job seekers look for work.  Is there something wrong with this picture?

Proaction + Right Action = Job Search Success

A Three-Step Process for Answering Interview Questions

The late J. Michael Farr developed this simple and brilliant process.  His many books on the self-directed job search have sold over three million copies.

Step 1:  Understand what is really being asked.  Most questions are designed to find out about your self-management skills and personality, but interviewers are rarely this blunt.  The employer’s real question is often one or more of the following:

• Can I depend on you?
• Are you easy to get along with?
• Are you a good worker?
• Do you have the experience and training to do the job if hired?
• Are you likely to stay on the job for a reasonable period of time and be productive?

Ultimately, if you don’t convince the employer that you will stay and be a good worker, it won’t matter if you have the best credentials, they won’t hire you.

Step 2:  Answer the question briefly.  Present the facts of your particular work experience and present them as advantages.

Step 3:  Answer the real concern by presenting your related skills.  Base your answer on the key skills you have that support the job, and give examples to support these skills.

Follow Michael Farr’s three-step process and use the S.T.A.R. Method when answering behavioral questions and you’ll rarely be at a loss for answering questions at an interview.

The S.T.A.R. Method to answer behavioral interview questions such as:

• Tell me about a time when…
• What do you do when…
• Have you ever…
• Give me an example of…
• Describe a…

Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.

Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.

Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.

Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

And three more things…prepare, prepare, prepare.

Managing Change During a Job Seach

Finding a new job involves making changes and handling transitions, which we can manage very well when prepared. Change is a part of life, and changing jobs is a part of the world of work in many ways.

Everyone's adjustment period to change is unique. It is easiest for those who are flexible in their approach in different circumstances at life and work but can be devastating for people who cannot let go. Change can be awkward at first, but it can also be exhilarating, like being propelled into a steep turn on a roller coaster. It can motivate you to do your absolute best. During change, time can seem to move very slowly for the reluctant, but it can be a whirlwind for those ready for it.

Change is needed if we are unhappy with where we are, when old practices or processes no longer work, or when a job no longer exists. It can be like pulling a new sweater on over your head; for a moment, you cannot see, but you know you will feel warm and comfortable once you can get your head out of the hole.