The meaning of the "Open to work" status (How to find a job in 10 steps and quickly)

2023 is a year of changes, layoffs, reconstructions, job losses, and new beginnings - especially in the software sector. It seems that the industry is going through a catharsis and technological renaissance. Something similar probably happened in the 15th century, the time of Leonardo da Vinci and all the major protagonists of the time. We still admire their work today. However, I wonder if what is happening with technology today will survive long enough for other generations to remember.?It feels like "everything everywhere all at once."

This is the 2nd and final part of?The meaning of the term RIF .

"Elvis has left the building," locked the doors, and threw the keys away. And he ain't comin' back again. The last wages and redundancies were fully paid, and everything is dusted and done. Finito! With a peaceful and clear mind, you might agree with the decision taken by the CEO of your former company, even if it still feels a bit bitter.

When something ends properly, there is a beautiful feeling of peace and completion, which lasts only for a tiny moment, and then there is the question:

"What's next?"

Panic? A quick and intensive job search is the next step for most of us. Unfortunately, in 2023 finding work is a complex task.?I am still determining what is more nerve-wracking, losing a job or looking for a new job.

My very own "How to find a job in 10 steps" playbook

The only purpose of this article is my wish to help someone out there who needs a bit of encouragement on the way to a (dream) job. I wish someone would give this to me when I was in my 20s. The next 10 steps were tested and improved many times during my career - so far.

The key to a fast and successful outcome in finding a new job requires you to be:

1. Specific - what type of job do you want? Know what you want or figure it out.
2. Realistic - do you have the experience and a credible professional to confirm your expertise?
3. Prepared - are your tools ready (CV, interview skills, company research, and interview document)?
4. Calm - only if you are calm you'll be able to focus.
5. Dedicated - commit to the job search project, despite the disturbing nature of the situation

Below is a job search example without any professional advantages. If you have a network that can offer you "ad hoc" employment opportunities, that's great and well done!

Nurturing a resourceful and complex network is a unique skill.

From my experience, finding a suitable job should take 2 - 4 months without a resourceful network.

Job Search platforms:

1. LinkedIn (I had a premium service subscription during my job search),
2. Glassdoor - is ok, but I don't know about the results. The best thing about Glassdoor is its insight into wages and company culture. I'd say this is a must-check category.
3. Several agencies - if you find a good agency and a recruiter who adopts you and guides you through the process, that's very good! Attention:?NEVER?pay a recruitment agency to find you a job; they get a very good commission if you land a job and stay employed for 6 months. It's probably a scam or worse if they want to charge you.
4. CV Library - I'm not sure how and if it works. I saw 0 results.
5. Other platforms include Indeed, Total Jobs, Monster, ZipRecruiter, SimplyHired, CareerBuilder, and many others. If you put the term "job platforms" or "job boards" into google search, you'll get an endless list of options. I'm sure they function, but they were not my primary focus.

My favourite platform for a job search is LinkedIn. In the past 10 years, LinkedIn provided the best jobs or recruitment agents. So, I decided to stick with it. I also applied on other platforms but have yet to receive answers.

Let's do this together!

STEP 1: Stop, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and decide what you actually want

Duration: 1 - 3 days

Before sending out applications, decide what kind of job you want and what type of company you want to work for. Sometimes it's hard to think clearly as all the emotional and life stuff is going on at the same time, but despite that, you need a clear focus.

Write down a wish job description in your notebook, piece of paper or diary. Be honest with yourself. What do you want - regardless of the environment or any other factors?

Answer these questions:

• What type of company do you want to work for?
• Which industry do you want to work for?
• Where should the company be based?
• Describe your ideal team leader/manager.
• In which markets do you want to work?
• What can you contribute?
• What is your value added to the company?
• How much money do you want to earn?

Have you got what it takes?

Find an example or profile of your desired company, a job role and a job description. You need to know what skills you need and what is required.

STEP 2: Crucial - Get your tools ready, get a foot in the door?

Duration: 2 - 7 days for a perfect CV

Before you even touch the "send application" button, update your CV and match it with your LinkedIn profile.

I had a wonderful experience with?www.careersexpert.com , but only some of their consultants are excellent. Once, it worked out perfectly; the second time, not so. It helps a lot to provide a job description or an advert that sounds like something you are looking for. I wasn't 100% prepared, so I needed to adjust my CV afterwards, which was not a big issue.

Check your profile SEO, check your LinkedIn, and use searchable terms in your CV, content, and any other online description.

If you're slightly older, focus on the last 10 years. Your CV needs to be 2 pages short, max 3. In the past, I had a few of the coolest jobs on the planet, but they have 0 relevance to what I do today. C'est la vie.

Fact: Research shows that recruiters spend 6-8 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether it is suitable for a vacancy. 80% of CVs do not get shortlisted by recruiters, meaning they do not make it past the first screen. Recruiters say that they spend anywhere?between 8 seconds and 15 minutes?reviewing a CV. Link.

STEP 3: Skills

Duration: kaizen / continual improvement / it never ends

Your skill set - if you work in tech, embrace technology and always be up to date. Refrain from assuming you know everything. Make sure you always continue learning and reading industry-related literature.

STEP 4: Sending out applications

Duration: until you get an offer / average 2-4 months

Your CV is written. Do you like it? Did you check the grammar? Did you study it? Did you check the SEO parameters? Did you update your LinkedIn profile, and does it look identical to your PDF or Word version? Did you write the cover letter or use Chat GPT? Whatever you used to get it done - are you happy with the outcome? Ask a friend to check it. Two pairs of eyes work better. And then, it's time to hit the " apply for this job" button.

Monitor your job applications to know where and for what you applied.

STEP 5: Age and opportunities

Duration: life

I don't want to discuss this topic too deeply because it is susceptible and, at the same time, very important.

Once, I read a quote: "Ageism is discrimination towards your older self." It scares me because it is so true, and one can't escape time.

Don't doubt yourself because it's very tough out there. Look at different types of employment, such as contractor, freelancer, and self-employed, but at the same time, keep searching. You worked all your life; you have experience - this is a fact. The topic of ageism needs more attention these days as it's becoming a big issue in Europe, and I'm not qualified to write about it. But whatever is going on, you must always keep a positive mindset.

As for everyone still in the blossom of their youth:

• Work on your network and keep an eye on it from day 1 when you leave school / University.
• Follow the industries of your interest. Be curious.
• Join the chartered institutes to educate yourself and continuously follow up on the trends.
• Enjoy life as much as possible! If undecided about what to do with yourself, try as many jobs as possible, as the experience might serve you as you get older.
• Learn to listen to your gut feeling. It's always right!

STEP 6: Interviews - be prepared

Duration: preparation and research, 1 day or longer

It's your happy day! You received an email saying:

" We recently received your CV and read it with huge interest. We would be happy to schedule a short call about the "position" at "name of the company" The attached link will allow you to set a time that works for you; please select a time for your interview."

There is a light! Finally! It will take four to six or maybe more interviews, but the first level is the first step to winning the game of getting the job! You've got this, but probably only if you've done your homework!

On LinkedIn reside some very lovely and kind people. One of these exceptions is?Stephanie Cramer . She kindly shared her very own?preparation document ?for job interviews. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Stephanie!

I used Stephanie's document as part of my preparation. It took some time to prepare, but it was 300% worth it!

STEP 7: Waiting for an answer

Duration: 3 days to 1 month in some jobs or longer

Waiting for an answer feels like a play by Samuel Becket, Waiting for Godot. The waiting itself is an ironic situation. You wait and wait, and yet Godot does not arrive. Probably he never will. Curtain. The end. (I recommend the play, it's excellent). But...

Your life is not a theatre play. You'll get an answer, especially if you have completed multiple interviews for the role. Some might say: "While we were very impressed with your skills, qualifications, and experience, we won’t be progressing you to the final stage. On this occasion, there were other candidates...." Don't worry too much, be grateful for the answer because some companies don't even bother to reply. Each rejection is simply a practice for the right job waiting for you. You need to find it, or it needs to find you.

Analyse your pattern and review your expectations and capabilities if you constantly get negative answers or rejections. Then, change whatever you are doing. Try again and again.

STEP 8: The phone call with the final answer

Duration: anytime, not defined

You got a "YES": Congratulations! Celebrate! You've done it! Go out, do something nice for yourself!

You got a "NO": Go out, do something nice for yourself! The next day start again! Once I got to the final stage and got a "no" answer. A few days later, the company called me, begging me to reconsider and offered me quite good wages. "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over". Life is sometimes a bit funny.

STEP 9: Get yourself ready

Duration: time between your acceptance of the role and signature of the contract to the day when you officially start, ca. 2 weeks - 6 weeks

Make sure you cooperate and provide all the documents your new company requires. Be fast, be your best self.

In the period of looking for a job and waiting to start a job, I went away for a few days to clear my mind after I lost my job. I needed a fresh start. I visited my family for a week. It was nice, especially my mum's cooking - 5 stars Michelin quality. I completed a marketing-related course, attended a few industry-related events, and completed all the onboarding sessions my new company asked me to complete.

I led a few #iamremarkable sessions in three different languages. I recommend the #iamremarkable workshop because it will help you with your interviews. It's free and suited for everybody: girls, boys, men and women of all ages, all colours and all beliefs. Check the link and book it: https://iamremarkable.withgoogle.com/

Running or any other sport helps you stay focused, feel better and is extremely good for your mental health. Put the sneakers on and start moving! Try to spend some time in nature among trees!

I ran a half marathon, thanks to my incredible team?SKMA (School of Korean Martial Arts) , and Master Sung's guidance. We decided to run together as a club to start 2023 as fit as possible :) ?#teameffort

STEP 10: Be grateful

Be grateful for your experience, what is coming, all the good in your life, and all lessons learned. Everything is good for something, even if it doesn't look like it at first. In the end, everything is going to be all right. It always is.

My personal and final thoughts about jobs

This article is based on my personal experience. Many professional advisors can help you with more profound knowledge and guidance if you don't know how to proceed. However, I would advise you to have faith in yourself and try it out first. You might be surprised by the results!

Let me finish with this: I tend to avoid mixing my private life with my professional life. It's cultural. However, I think we need to help each other, as the world is changing too fast for everybody to keep up. My future articles will be marketing-related topics and will provide industry insights.

Take care!

Alles wird gut.

Romy

(Romana Sustar)

---

Don't forget to do this right away:

How to set up Open to work Status on LinkedIn - Link