Taking The Time, Making The Effort

There are a lot of stories about sleazy, slimy recruiters. Or those that don't really read resumes or make the effort to personalize an outreach to a passive candidate. And of course, the latest trend in the last few years on *both* sides of the desk: ghosting from both candidates AND organizations. (As of this week, I have been ghosted by no fewer than 3 other recruiters in the last month...one of which reached out to ME.) 

While I am taking my time considering new career opportunities, I still try and practice authenticity and live by my personal ethics, which include helping people out (paying it forward). Today, I was declined (nicely) for a role I was really interested in. I was lacking some experience they were looking for. I was disappointed, but I referred a friend of mine to them that probably would be a great fit for what they are doing. I treated myself out to lunch today, and gave one of the bartenders that I have been chatting with the name of a recruiter at a hotel I had gotten for him when he said he wanted something corporate. In passing, I saw a job opening for an organization I think highly of and I forwarded it to a resume client of mine from years ago that I think would be a great fit. I have spent time meeting with social contacts the last couple of weeks to chat about career moves for them because they are at crossroads in their professional lives. 

I am not trying to brag, but to illustrate how being authentic and genuinely *caring* about people comes back around. In my own current search, I have reached out to my network, been recommended to opportunities that I might otherwise not have known about, and genuinely benefited from the amazing relationships I have built over the course of my career and in my personal life. I have seen a lot more call for authenticity and helping other people here on LinkedIn, but often I find those early in their career aren't sure how and when to "pay it forward" instead of asking for help.

It can be tough to try and keep your head above water when you are moving through life at the speed of light...career, family, self-care, volunteer work, nurturing friendships. But having a service-oriented mindset only takes a bit of effort to build into your life. There is a mindfulness that you need to cultivate, and part of that is being aware of what is going on in the lives of those around you. It is the same process that causes you to stop at a book store and pick up a book for a friend just because you just KNOW they will like it, or pausing to help and elderly person take their groceries to their car at the store, or making time to visit with a friend that is in town for business, even if it isn't super convenient. It is an exercise of AWARENESS, of reading the updates on a semi regular basis on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram and making a mental note to reach out to someone, or answer a question that has been posed to the "hivemind." It is making a little bit of extra effort to think about other people that may or may not be part of your daily life, and reach out to them every so often. Yes, for me that generally relates to job leads or career advice. For someone else, it may be how to find a great specialist or service provider. Or sharing some bit of knowledge with someone that is super frustrated with a piece of software that they are just learning but that you are a "black belt" in. Maybe it's giving someone a ride to the airport at 5 AM. Or, it could even be taking the time to genuinely be available to just *listen*. And..."thank you" or "you are awesome" goes a long way as well.

Yes, it takes extra effort and time. But I guarantee it is worth it...when you need that extra little bit, chances are, someone will be there to help YOU out.