The Key Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

In 2019, I wrote the article called "The Five Habits of Highly Effective Job Hunters." Then I updated it in 2022 because some things had changed. Now it's 2024 and we are in another brutal job market. So, it seems like a good idea to me to update it once again. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Have you ever read the best-selling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey? It's a golden oldie. And well worth tracking down.

Covey's seven habits provide a roadmap for increasing one's effectiveness in any area of life, from home to the workplace.

As a career transition consultant, one of the questions I help my clients with is: What do highly effective job hunters do?

Inspired by that title, here are some of the most vital habits of highly effective job seekers.

Focus Your Search - Highly effective job seekers are focused. They know what they are after. Do you?

Highly effective job seekers know that they are in Sales & Marketing and that the "product" is the person they see in the mirror.

Do you know your unique value proposition? your brand? your strengths?

Do you have a clear goal? Are you pursuing?target?companies?(or organizations, industries, roles) that are of interest to you, by researching them, following them on LinkedIn, and inviting people who work there to connect with you? Are you focused on your?objective?

Spend Your Time Wisely - Highly effective job hunters are great time managers. They know that time is a precious resource.?They know that how you spend your time each day makes all the difference.

Effective time managers start with goals and priorities. What are your Most Important Things (MITs) in your life right now?

How are you using your?time? Are you researching to find the hidden job market of?needs?that employers have that you could be the solution to??Are you following up with each person you meet:?in interviews? at networking meetings? recruiters you have spoken with? Are you using each interaction as an opportunity to display your brand and your value proposition?

Are you taking courses and learning something new? Are you intentionally enhancing your skills? Be sure you are staying sharp in your own field, as well as staying current with rapidly emerging technologies such as AI tools. These tools can help you in your job search!

Present Your Best Self - Highly effective job hunters are mindful about how to present themselves. They are very aware that "how they show up" matters.

Do you know your?brand?(what you are known for)? Are you clear about your?value?proposition?(why they should hire you)?

Are you aware that each move you make in a job search --showing up on a zoom, handing someone your business card, sending your cover letter, submitting resume, putting your profile on LinkedIn, going in for an interview-- is a representation of who you are?

Are you intentional about putting your "best self" out there? Who do you want the market to see? How do you want to be known?

Leverage Relationships - Job search depends upon relationships. Are you reaching out to people you know? Are you reaching out to people that they know? Are you identifying other people (such as hiring managers, recruiters, CEOs, consultants, business owners, thought leaders) that you want to know?

Are you attending local networking events??Are you participating in professional groups in your field? Are you volunteering locally?

Are you helping the market to get to know You? Put yourself out there, on LinkedIn and in in-person events.

Be the Solution - Companies have problems to solve and they are looking for people who can provide the solutions. Can you see your self as a solution? Do you believe in yourself?

Do you know your CAR-L (Challenge-Action-Results + Learning) stories?

Use your resources (especially your contacts and your library) to learn more about your target companies. Find out what is keeping them up at night. Then confidently present your capabilities and accomplishments, while humbly expressing your interest in learning more about them.

Take Good Care of Your Self - A job search can be tough going, with little response and little traction. It can take longer than you would like. And you may feel miserable a lot of the time. Therefore, you must take good care of You.

Find ways to stay in shape, both physically and emotionally, so that you are energized, positive, and ready when opportunity appears.

Refresh yourself regularly. And don't forget to reload your accumulator by taking breaks, going for walks, getting away, and spending quality time with friends and loved ones.

About the author: Terrence "Terry" Seamon guides and supports career transitioners toward their goals.