Allow for many paths to your goal...

This beautiful picture is the beginning of the Tennessee River where the confluence of the Holston and the French Broad Rivers flow into it. The Tennessee River then winds until it flows into the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky, which then flows into the mighty Mississippi. Finally, the Mississippi flows into the ocean into the Gulf of Mexico. Many paths, ending in one goal, all from the effort to keep flowing-moving forward.

What does that have to do with your career goal? American journalist, Po Bronson once said, "allow for many paths to your goal. Do not fixate on one path, because then you are likely to give up when that path is blocked." Just like a river, if we don't "flow" and consider all of our options and tactics in reaching our career goal, the job, we can find ourselves blocked with frustration, discouragement and missing opportunities we didn't see.

Recently, on LinkedIn there has been discussion around the "best" way to find a job. Depending on the poster's experience and role they play in the hiring process, their advice varies. You will find yourself as a job seeker, confused as to which advice is really the best way. Here is the thing, there is not one best way.

I recommend trying them all. Use what works for you and your goal. Let's discuss some of the paths.

Applying to a posted position found on an employer's career page on their website or on a job board, including LinkedIn.

Pros:

• In my experience as an HR leader responsible for recruiting departments and as a recruiter myself, the majority of open positions were filled this way. I see some individuals sharing statistics stating the opposite, but I have not experienced that. Other employer based recruiters have shared similar experiences to mine.

Generally, you can be assured that the position is open and being actively hired for, especially if it is on the employer's career page on their website.

Potential Cons:

• Sometimes, job boards might not be as current as the employer's or have unintentional misinformation.

Some positions appear to have been up for a lengthy amount of time. This may cause concern for job seekers. There are a number of reasons a job might have been up for more than what you think is acceptable. Perhaps the hiring manager is busy due to short staffing and they can't slow down enough to focus on filling the position. In the summer and during holidays, vacation and days off of the interviewers can slow the process.

And, sometimes it is what is referred to as an "evergreen" posting--a specialized skilled or high turnover role so they keep up the posting to keep the pipeline filled.

• Seeing the number of applicants can be discouraging. On social media sites I have been told by credible sources that number is the number of views of the posting, not necessarily applicants.

One recruiter recently shared some statistics from the number of applications they had received revealing that a portion of the applicants will not be viable, some will drop out or can't be reached leaving them with far fewer to consider than it looks publicly.

What should you do?

• If it is a job you are interested in, apply. If you get called for an interview ask why it has been open for that period of time. Ask in a neutral non- judgemental manner.
• Don't let the volume of applicants stop you.

Applying to a posted position advertised by a recruiting agency or professional recruiter entrepreneur.

In this situation, the recruiter is working for the employer who has an open position. It could be the employer is small and does not have an internal recruiting function or it is a hard to fill position and they partner with experts in that field. Those recruiters are also working with other employer's open positions as well.

Pros:

• These recruiters may be more willing or permitted to provide you with constructive feedback on your resume or interviewing techniques.
• They also may have other positions you are qualified for that you are not aware of. (Internal recruiters also provide this.)

Potential Cons:

• It is easy for the job seeker to forget who this recruiter works for--it is not you, it is the employer. That is not a bad thing. It is important to understand your relationship.

What should you do?

• If you see a posting for a position you are interested in and believe you are qualified and discover it is an external recruiter, apply.
• Do not take it personally if you are not passed on for interview, that recruiter (as an internal recruiter) is serving the hiring manager's needs and requirements.

Sending your resume to specific employer's and/or individuals within the organization. (due to referral or desired employer)

Pros:

• If you have been referred by someone to send your resume to someone within the organization, it could mean your resume will be viewed by someone of influence. Determine who you are sending it to and why that person.
• When you are targeting desired employers, I encourage sending to both human resources and the manager title of the area you would want to work in.

Potential Cons:

• You may think you have a sure link into the job--don't. You still have to meet the qualifications of the job.
• In many organizations, staff other than HR receiving resumes are expected to send those resumes to HR. You then may be contacted to apply online if it is an open posted position.

What should you do?

• Be grateful for the connection, if you feel it appropriate connect with that individual on LI - especially for the future if nothing comes from this first connection.
• If HR contacts you to ask you to apply, do so graciously, attaching your resume once again just to be thorough via the applicant tracking system.
• If the applicant tracking system offers you the opportunity to designate positions you are interested in and want to be notified when they open--take advantage of that tool. It works and you will find it convenient while you are exploring other job seeking paths.

Networking- coffee chats,LI connections, meet and greet events, etc.

Pros:

• You will grow and develop necessary competencies for the workplace--confidence, communication, presence and broadening your knowledge about a particular position and/or industry.
• It is a way to develop your professional brand or reputation.
• You may discover you are not interested in this career path or that you have a skill gap you need to close.
• You may meet someone that may not help you find a job immediately, but in the future they could.

Potential Cons:

• You will not find a job quickly this way. Only in rare instances will that occur. Your goal for networking should be more about connections, learning and discovering other connections to meet. So it may be defeating if you need a job quickly.
• The most effective networking, especially with those already in your network comes from a place of you building the relationship and offering them information or resources that they need. This is sometimes difficult to identify just what that is or uncomfortable for some to initiate the connection.

What should you do?

• Give networking a try. It will energize you and get you more comfortable with sharing your career story and what you are looking for. Start with a tactic that is comfortable for you and then try other tactics as you gain confidence.

Posting and Sharing on LinkedIn

There has been a growing trend with individuals not just putting up the green banner but sharing their job search goals and experience on LinkedIn.

Pros:

• If you are authentic and have a clear message to share, I find this is very helpful. I have not seen statistics of how much it directly connects to a specific job opportunity, but it is another way of networking and building your brand. It will surely provide you with connections that will be useful if not now, maybe later.
• I have also seen it is a great source of comfort to job seekers. I find it encouraging seeing the overwhelming support provided to individuals by not only their colleages and friends, but strangers.

Potential Cons:

• It is important to find that right balance between your tone of negative vs. positive, victim vs. accountability and the right amount of posting--engaging vs, annoying. There is no magic formula, so you need to watch your activity and see how your impressions, reactions and comments move.

What should you do?

• If sharing your story comes easy to you and you would find it helpful, do it.
• Be sure to do it your way-not the way someone else has.
• This experience should be beneficial to you if only providing you with an outlet for stress and gaining support. If you try this and it becomes a dread and a burden, stop.

Working with an Expert, Career Coach, Resume Writer, etc.

There are many reasons to work with an expert. If you have identified a need you believe an expert could assist you with, then by all means search for the one that best meets your need and fits you personally.

Pros:

• An expert in their respective field not only will provide you a service they often will provide you with confidence and a renewed sense of hope. The key is to find the right expert for your situation and needs.

Potential Cons:

• Working with an expert will cost money. Make sure you clearly find the best fit for you and your budget.

What should you do?

• Take advantage of discovery calls with the experts. This will help you learn their service, style and your comfort level with them.
• Be honest with them and don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Be sure you are ready to put in the work and be open to feedback and guidance and put it into application.
• If you do find the expert for you, regard this as an investment in yourself and your future.

I am sure there are other tactics I have not included or variations of the ones I have. The point is try them all and use the ones that work for you. Don't let your forward movement get blocked by one path and give up. Pause, and then try another.

"allow for many paths to your goal. Do not fixate on one path, because then you are likely to give up when that path is blocked."