Be the Change You Wish to See in the World: Help a Job Seeker Over the Holidays

As I'm writing this, it's just a few days before Thanksgiving here in the USA.

And if you're in "career transition" (aka, unemployed, laid off, in between successes, not working, underemployed, etc.), you may be dreading seeing the family because you're not working. This newsletter isn't for you. Well, it is, but it's actually designed to inspire others to help YOU.

I'm a big believer in Karma. What you put out into the universe will return to you.

And can you imagine what a wonderful world this could be if we were ALL helping out those in career transition? ??????????

It's totally possible. Here are 5 simple ways you can Help a Job Seeker over the Holidays.

1. Check in and ask them: How's the Job Search Going? And make sure you know what their targeted job title and targeted geographic area is.
2. Send them links to job postings -- even if it's not an exact fit. They will appreciate the thought. And you never know, it might be a match!
3. Tag them in comments or send a DM when you hear about free job seeker or networking events that might be of interest to them.
4. Give them a Recommendation OR Endorsement for their Skills.
5. Ask them for the names of three employers on their target list. And if you have connections there, introduce them.

LET'S BREAK THOSE DOWN

1. Check in and ask them: How's the Job Search Going? And make sure you know what their targeted job title and targeted geographic area is.

When you're in career transition, it's isolating. You feel you're on the oustide looking in. After the initial news comes and goes, many people go on with their lives and work as if nothing has happened. A simple text, email, or DM on LinkedIn lets them know you are thinking of them.

Related to this: be sure to ask them, "can you remind me again, what is your targeted job title and targeted geographic area?"

The first time you ask them, they will likely tell you a long backstory, summarizing what they most recently did, what they did in previous roles, some of the challenges of their industry, etc. etc.

Let them do this. They need to vent. It's like therapy.

When they are done talking, summarize and say something like this, "So if I'm understanding correctly, you are looking for a marketing leadership role in Metro Detroit. Is that right?"

If we don't know what they are looking for, we can't refer them to the right opportunity.

2. Send them links to job postings -- even if it's not an exact fit. They will appreciate the thought. And you never know, it might be a match!

Now that you know what their targeted job title and geographic area is, this will be fairly easy. You never know when a job opening might be a perfect match or a near fit. Some companies don't post paid job postings on LinkedIn. Instead, they may rely on word-of-mouth.

Be that person to share the link forward!

3. Tag them in comments or send a DM when you hear about free job seeker or networking events that might be of interest to them.

For example, I'm offering a free, live webinar in December. You should tell someone about this!

3 Ways to?Supercharge LinkedIn to Find a Job

for the Experience Rich (age ~40+, 50+, 60+)

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024

Noon - 1:30 pm ET | 11 am - 12:30 pm CT | 10 - 11:30 am MT | 9 - 10:30 am PT | 5 - 6:30 pm GMT

OR

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024

11 am - 12:30 pm ET | 10 - 11:30 am CT | 9 - 10:30 am MT | 8 - 9:30 am PT | 4 - 5:30 pm GMT

https://www.mellermarketing.com/supercharge

You may also hear of free networking groups, in-person meetups, etc. Share it along with a job seeker. They will appreciate that you're thinking of them!

You? You're busy working all those crazy hours leading up to the holidays.

Them? They have all the time in the world. And they are going CRAZY with the "black hole" of job search. ? (it's soul-crushing, energy-sucking. True story.)

4. Give them a Recommendation OR Endorsement for their Skills.

You have social capital and you can EASILY pay-it-forward and give them a LinkedIn recommendation. It takes just minutes to do.

Here's a video with reminders about the process to request recommendations. To GIVE a recommendation, click the MORE button, then click "Recommend" to start the process.

VIDEO: LinkedIn Recommendations

5. Ask them for the names of three employers on their target list. And if you have connections there, introduce them.

The first time you ask them, they might not have any companies in mind. Give it a week or two, and ask them again.

And if you have any connections at those companies, reach out and see if they would be open to a LinkedIn DM introduction.

You can be the change you wish to see in the world.

You can be the inspiration someone needs during a time of career transition.

And can you imagine, if we all did this? WOW.

It would make the process of being in career transition / unemployed a lot less isolating and scary.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.