Day 19: Job Searches and SWOT

Do you feel just plain ol' stuck in your job search?

You have a curated resume that takes every piece of advice you could. It's beautiful. You seem to have great interviews, but then don't make it into the third or fourth round. You don't think your first impressions are off, but something isn't working.

Don't be satisfied with that answer. At this point in your processes, you've gone through enough sprints. We build Sprint Reviews and Retrospectives right into how we run our week each and every week, but you may want to put it on your backlog to do a deeper dive.

Have you ever run a SWOT analysis on your processes? On yourself?

It is the equivalent of doing a 360 in a mirror. Some angles I look dang good from, some aren't my favorite but I am a dynamic person regardless. Draw an axis on a sheet, and start writing in. Look through the following questions when you are trying to figure out what is getting you hung up.

Strengths: What separates you from other job seekers? What is the best word that describes your approach? How are you breathing that into your first impressions? Are you saying it or just showing it?

Weaknesses: What stops you from making progress on your job search? What is keeping you from being competitive? Are you using leftover energy to job search? What can you improve to keep you competitive?

Opportunities: Whom do I know that I haven't shared I am job searching with? What are the trends in the job market and how do I stand out from other seekers right now? What networking events are in my area? What networking am I leaving on the virtual table? What new fields is my skill set transferable to?

Threats: ?What are other job seekers doing well? At what point do I seem to be losing out in the interview cycle? How are other people being creative in their job search? How are other people adding value in their interviews?

If nothing you are doing is working in your job search use a SWOT analysis to try and get an eagle-eye perspective on the situation. There is such a thing as being too formal, too impersonal seeking out that professional best that you lose touch with your voice in your resume or interview and it can show.

Maybe the next sprint needs to be getting back in touch with your voice. Maybe the next sprint needs to be about just networking out to expand your reach. Maybe the next sprint needs to focus on reviewing things in general and reassessing. Put SWOT on your backlog then to do and let those ceremonies of Sprint help you through.

Let me know how I can help. I am always happy to have a conversation. Regardless, stay fantastic like you are.

Bexs

Job Search Like a Project Manager Series:

1. Session Zero, Day 1: Getting going with User Stories (check comments!)
2. Session Zero, Day 2: Tracking the User Stories and Getting Main Values
3. Session Zero, Day 3: Plan for Life Event Interruptions
4. Session Zero, Day 4: Get a List of Companies You are Already Connected To
5. Session Zero, Day 5: Job Search Charter
6. Planning Week, Day 6: ... Dreaded Resumes
7. Planning Week, Day 7: Company Shortlist
8. Planning Week, Day 8: Agile Job Search
9. Planning Week, Day 9: Recap, Claps, and Sprint
10. Sprint 1, Day 10: Backlog and Sprint Planning
11. Sprint 1, Day 11: Daily Scrum
12. Sprint 1, Day 12: Backlog Grooming
13. Sprint 1, Day 13: Interview or Networking Opportunity?
14. Sprint 1, Day 14: Sprint Review
15. Sprint 1, Day 15: Sprint Retrospective (Weekend Bonus Edition)
16. Sprint 2, Day 16: First Impressions Focus (Resume)
17. Sprint 2, Day 17: Who are You in the Interview
18. Sprint 2, Day 18: Interview Question Resource