Lessons Learned in the Job Search

Job searching is something we all go through at some point in our lives, and it’s not necessarily easy or fun. (Understatement!) Here are some of the things I wish I’d known when I started my first search, in case any of it is helpful for you…

Solving for Your Life. There isn’t just one perfect job out there for you, but many that can help get you where you want to go. Most important in this process is knowing the answer to one big question: What are you solving for? Whatever the answer, it’ll be your north star in a confusing sea of possible paths. (Ikigai is an interesting exercise that I’ve enjoyed and may help you.)

My long-time formula is simple: I’m always solving for happiness and growth. They might not always be in perfect balance, but I know I need both consistently. Happiness these days includes working with people I like and respect, a work-life balance that gives me sufficient control over my schedule, and a company mission I believe in. Growth can be lots of things, to include a promotion, working in a different industry, having to adopt a new approach, learning new skills and substance, or adapting to work in a different culture or location.

Only you can decide what your priorities are, and what you’re willing to trade off. Location is a big one, for example. And it’s important to know that these priorities will probably change over time.

A few years back I was offered the chance to interview for a job that I’d thought was my dream job a decade ago, and I turned down the interview. Because mid-40s me is solving for different things than mid-30s me. In this case, the job wasn’t compatible with being the mother I wanted to be to my 5-year-old. When my daughter is a few years older, I’d like to think I’d say “yes” if I got asked again.

I would also remind you that you’re the one who has to do the job every day, so you should be focused on what you’re solving for and not what other people think. Do what’s right for you, not what might look best in Politico Playbook or some other newsletter that gets read and forgotten about each day. That includes a career break?for parenting or mental health. As long as you’ve got a clear narrative about the choices you’ve made and why, it’ll be okay.

It’s a Long Haul. In certain circumstances, great jobs can land on your doorstep. But most of the time, you need to find your next job. It’s a process that takes time, so you need to be sure you’re mentally and financially prepared. I generally say that it takes about six months or more to line up the next job. That six months will come with highs and lows, as you get excited about what’s out there and disappointed when something doesn’t work out. Know that it’s going to take time, so you can get yourself psyched up and curtail worrying when you haven’t landed in the first few weeks. You’ll want to feel like you’re doing something to make progress every week, so set some goals: I’ll reach out to two people per week. I’ll apply to two jobs. Whatever works for you.

Put Yourself Out There. Yes, do apply to jobs on LinkedIn and scour the internet. But, most likely, if you want a new job, you’ll have to make it known that you’re looking for one. It can be hard on the ego to ask for help, but it’s a natural – and important - part of the process to start telling people in your network that you’re looking for the next move and would welcome their advice or help. When people know, they’ll share opportunities and pass your name on to others.

Ask for a Coffee. When you’re starting your search, figure out who you want to talk to and learn from. The referrals from friends in your network. People doing jobs you’d like to be doing. Recruiters at companies you’re interested in. Head Hunters in your space. Map these contacts out and reach out directly, or figure out which or your friends can help you make a connection. Then politely ask them for a call or coffee to discuss the job market and what might make sense for you. Almost every one of these people will say “yes.” It might take weeks, and follow-up emails, to get it on the calendar, but they’ll be happy to sit down with you. We’ve all job searched and relied on others saying “yes,” so you’ll find most people eager to pay things forward.??

Importantly, make sure you’re on time for the meeting/coffee. During the discussion, your contact will inevitably ask, “how can I help?” Be prepared for this question and let them know what they can do to support you. After the meeting, follow up with a thank you and your commitment to the follow-up actions. I do these meetings frequently, and sometimes (okay, very often) by the time I’ve found time to follow up, I have forgotten some of the things I said I’d do. I really value it when someone has sent an email after the meeting that outlines what we agreed on.

LinkedIn and CV. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and crisp. It’s the first place I go when someone recommends a candidate to me and when their resume lands on my desk. If your profile is non-existent or a mess, it immediately lessens my interest. It’s also where company recruiters go to prospect for ideal candidates to approach for open roles, so it’s in your interest for your key experiences and skills to be there. Likewise, you’ll want a crisp resume, no more than 2-2.5 pages that tells me about your experience in plain English.? If your resume is longer than that, I will make an assumption about your ability to be concise and stick to what’s relevant. And while you may know how to interpret the acronyms and terms of art you’re using, please don’t assume recruiters and hiring managers outside of your organization will.

Finally, if you’re applying for different types of roles, you may want multiple versions of your resume that put emphasis on the most important skills. In every version, for the love of all that’s holy, make sure it’s free of typos.

Cover Letter. If you’re asked to write a cover letter, or choose to, make it count. I personally love a cover letter, because it gives me a chance to learn more about a candidate’s personality and see their writing style. Whatever you do, don’t regurgitate what I can already read in your resume. Instead, tell me why you’re interested in the role or the organization, what you’ll bring to the team, and how the role might help you grow professionally or personally. You don’t have to pretend you’re the biggest fan of what the organization does if?that’s not authentic, but we all want to hire someone who will bring energy and/or passion with them.

It’s Sometimes Them, Not You. Everyone who has been through job searching probably has a similar story to share: You have an interview that feels like magic. Like you and the hiring manager are having a love connection and you’re nailing your answers. So you start imagining yourself in the job, only to be told someone else got it in the end. It’ll happen to you. Though your interview was magic, someone else was just as magical and had something else the company wanted. These kinds of decisions can come down to little things and the specific preferences of the hiring manager. Don’t feel bad, because one of these great interviews will be the one.

Take Risks. My career has been nothing like I planned, but has been so much more interesting than I could ever have imagined. Largely because I considered and said “yes” to things that I wasn’t looking for but fit what I was solving for at the time. Most of those risks turned out great, and the few that weren’t taught me important lessons about what motivates me. I don’t consider those bad choices or failures, because I learned something really important from each one about what I need to be happy and productive. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your plan because these can be some of the best roles you’ll have.

I hope these thoughts are helpful for you as you look for your next opportunity. It’s a challenging rite of passage, but know that you can lean on your network for support.

Happy (job) hunting!