Tips on Staying Positive & Succeeding In Today's Job Market

I am grateful to share that after applying to 130+ jobs and countless hours of interviews I have accepted an offer to join a team I am truly excited about. It’s no secret that the job market is tough right now and we all know someone who has been impacted during these challenging times; however, I can attest that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I would like to show my appreciation and gratitude to all of those who supported me and cheered me on during my search and pay if forward by sharing some of my tips for navigating a career pivot to set yourself up for success in the interviewing process.

Identify Your Strengths & Know What’s Important to You

As an elementary school teacher turned marketer, I was never been someone that knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had a hard time envisioning myself in a certain role or with a certain title; however, I knew I enjoyed learning, staying challenged, and making an impact. By staying true to my values I have found a way to build a cross-functional career. Maybe you already know what you want to be, but if you are struggling to know when it’s time for the next step in your career or if you're looking to make a pivot and try something new, here are a few tips that might help you:

Start with a Self-Analysis

One exercise a mentor gave me early in my career was called a self-analysis matrix and it’s a great way to think back to the roles you have had in your career and how each one impacted where you are today and help you identify where you want to go in the future. It’s a clever way to figure out what you are passionate about and what the required elements of your next role are.

For every career or educational experience ask yourself:

• What were the reasons, hopes, and expectations from this role?
• Why didn’t I take alternative opportunities?
• Were these hopes and expectations fulfilled?
•  What attracted me to this job/ position?
• What did you dislike about this position?
• What conclusions can you draw from these experiences to help identify your future career?
• What other insights about my preferences can I infer to be satisfied in a role.

Ask your network what they think you excel at!

In my Women’s Unlimited Program we had an exercise where we reached out to various colleagues asking them to describe us in 5 words and it’s really eye opening to see how others see you. Leverage these insights to help build your confidence applying for that promotion or identifying room for improvement in building skillsets needed to succeed in your field.

Do your research

Identify the industries and organizations that match your personal values and support your long term career growth.

• Talk to your network! What organizations do they admire or enjoy working for?
• Visit websites like Glassdoor and Great Place to Work
• Start following organizations of interest on Linkedin to get a better idea of how the company presents itself and how employees interact with the brand. By following these target organizations you will also be the first to know when a new opportunity becomes available.

Leveraging Your Board of Directors

Networking looks very different these days; however, it’s more important than ever when you are looking for a new job. Reach out to your network and let them know you are looking for your next move and ask for their support. As Heather Monahan says, figure a way to convert this support in the moment. It’s not realistic to think everyone in your network is in the position to hire you in that moment, so ask if they can make an introduction to someone who works for one of your target companies. Maybe they have time to help you practice your interview skills, could serve as a reference or write you a recommendation on Linkedin, or even invite you to a virtual event their company is hosting where you can make more connections. I love the idea of having a personal “Board of Directors.” A group of executive sponsors, peer mentors, and past colleagues who you can leverage for support when you want to try something new and can provide an honest, trustworthy opinion when you are dealing with a challenge. It’s never too late to build and add to your own board.

Here is a template to get you started reaching out to your network:

Hi NAME,

I hope all is well with you and your family during this crazy year!

I’m reaching out because I’m currently looking for a new role. I have been at COMPANY for a TIME now and working remotely has given me time to reflect on my career aspirations and goals and I don’t believe it’s the right fit for me long-term. 

I am searching for a new opportunity to better leverage my marketing expertise and passion for women empowerment. I have realized I am less driven by titles and more driven by cultures that foster cross-functional collaboration, support development, and life-long learning and allow me to express my entrepreneurial spirit.

If you hear of any job opportunities that might be a good fit, please send them my way. I’ve recently updated my LinkedIn and resume (see attached). Please feel free to pass it along.

Thanks in advance for your help! Please keep me posted on how you are doing and if there’s anything I can help with please let me know.

All the best,

Lauren

Show Up As Your Best Self in the Interview

Now that you have identified the right next step in your career, found an organization of interest, and received the invitation to interview for the role (congrats!), you want to put your best foot forward and show up as your best self. It’s important to think of an interview as a two-way street. Don’t just prep for the questions they will ask you but also think about the questions you have and what is important for you to verify that it’s the right next step in your career? Here are a few things I do to prep for that first interview:

• Check the technology to avoid any technical issues the day of!
• Know your audience. Look up the interview team on Linkedin. Are they new to the team? Have they worked in similar industries? Do you know anyone in common?
• Review the job description and plan out the examples of how you have successfully demonstrated these skills in the past. Help the hiring team envision you on their team and help see the transferable skills you may have from school, other industries, or other departments.
• Most companies use the STAR method. To avoid rambling, pause and remember what was the situation, task, action, and results were. But most importantly what was your role? How did you lead and contribute to the success?

Plan your questions.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• What has been your experience working for the company?
• How would you define the culture of the organization and this team?
• How has COVID impacted the company?
• How will this role help the business meet their short term and long term objectives?
• What are the common traits among the most successful people at the company?

Follow Up and Set Yourself Apart

It’s all about relationships and that “Thank You” to the team that interviewed you goes a long way. It’s also your opportunity to reiterate your fit for the role, show you were listening, and mention any skills or examples you may have forgotten about during the interview. I also like to take the opportunity to share a few examples of my work. This might be different from industry to industry, and you want to be careful not to share confidential information, but it’s a good way for the hiring team to see your skills in action.

Here is a “Thank You” e-mail template to get you started:

Hi NAME,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today! I enjoyed hearing more about your experience at COMPANY and learning more about how we would partner together. 

Our conversation furthered my belief that this is the right next step in my career and I believe my previous experiences have provided me with a strong toolkit to help make an impact on the business and support the growth of the portfolio. I would also be proud to be part of a team and company that shares my values around X, Y and Z.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions about my qualifications for this role.

Have a great day!

Lauren

Sometimes the interview process can be draining, so with multiple touch points I try to add new value with every follow up. Sometimes I share a Letter of Recommendation, an interested article related to the role, or perhaps something new I learned about marketing. The goal is to show you can provide value to the team hiring you and continue to make their job easier thereby proving you are the candidate they have been searching for.

Also reflect on the interview. Were there any red flags or things that make you feel like this isn’t the right fit? Feel comfortable saying no if it’s not something you can see yourself doing for the next few years, or the actual role doesn’t match up with the job description. Communicate your appreciation to the team and let them know you are withdrawing your candidacy. Making this decision will allow you to focus your energy on the roles which better align with your vision.

It’s Not You, It’s Just Not the Right Fit

One of the hardest things about the process is the number of times you don’t hear back, or get told they are moving forward with another candidate after hours of interviews. I get it! However, it’s important to keep your head up and remember that it’s not that you aren’t amazing, it just wasn’t the right fit. I have a sign on my desk that reads “Positive Vibes Only” and I firmly believe keeping that mindset is the key to remaining strong and continuously showing up as your best self. When it gets touch, remember to give yourself a break and find daily habits that support your growth and mental wellbeing.

One habit I’ve built, is listening to podcasts while walking. The exercise and positive messages in the podcast are now the only way I can start my day, and I will continue this as I start my new role.

Here are a few of my favorite podcasts if you are looking for a new one:

• Brene Brown- Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us
• Heather Monahan- Creating Confidence
• Seth Godin- Akimbo
• Adam Grant- Work Life
• Haley Hoffman Smith- Big Conversations

I hope these tips help! Please share them with anyone in your network who is looking for their next role and feel free to reach out to me if there’s anything I can do to help you in your journey. As a Peloton groupie, I truly believe “Together We Can Go Far”.

Big THANK YOU to my "Board of Directors" who continue to show up and support me every step of the way!