A tribute to #opentowork

Are you #opentowork? Seeking the next step in your career? As you go on this journey I want to be your cheerleader and I want you to know this: You are valuable. It’s easy to lose sight of this as you do the work to find work. It can be challenging and grueling. There are highs, lows, more highs, and more lows. Rejection happens. Grit is required.

This article is my way of sharing what I learned on my own journey. It's also a pep-talk for those who are currently #opentowork. I hope it's helpful, motivating, and that you'll share it with anyone you know who is #opentowork. Want to dive deeper on anything I've mentioned? Comment below!

Outline: Learnings from a Journey

★ Know what you want ★ Build your brand ★ Network network network ★ Seek council ★ Break through by standing out ★ Hold the line ★ Enjoy the ride ★

Know what you want.

The best way to get what you want is to first know what you want.

• Take time to reflect and align on what you want to do, where you want to do it, and who you want to serve.
• Document the values you hold dear and won't compromise on. Define criteria for identifying companies you are willing to work with.
• Compile your elevator pitch. It is your authentic, energizing, relevant, and memorable answer to the most common interview question: Tell me about yourself.

Build your brand.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

• If you aren’t already building your brand, start now. Your personal brand authentically conveys your unique value to your target audience. It’s how other people will describe you and think of you.
• If you don’t define your brand then someone else will do it for you. Be proactive and in control, while still remaining true to yourself.
• Update all collateral and social media to be consistent with your brand. Your LinkedIn, Insta, resume, cover letter, etc. The goal is to be an obvious and clear fit for what you want and for what hiring managers expect to see, while remaining authentic.
• Build your brand for the career you want –?not necessarily what you are doing today.

Network network network.

“Say yes to everything." -Kathy Griffin

• Talk to a lot of people. Lots! People you know and people you don’t know. People at companies you work with and people at companies you want to work with.
• Are you proposing a new role? A new business? Bounce ideas off your network. See what resonates and what falls flat. Test your message over and over. Ask questions and act on the feedback.
• Be someone people love talking to by bringing insights, energy, and enthusiastic curiosity.
• Offer to meet in-person whenever possible to build meaningful, enduring personal connections. Travel if you need to.

Seek council.

In the multitude of counselors there is safety.

• Talk to your trusted advisors, coaches, mentors, and peers. Share your successes and frustrations, and seek your council's outsider perspective. Their wisdom can help you double down on what’s working and course correct on what’s not.
• Practice the multitude of interviews you will need to pass with wise people who will give you brutally honest feedback. Practice both face to face and remote interviews. Practice being relevant for each audience (eg recruiters, hiring managers, and technical teams).
• Connect with others to keep things in context. As you immerse yourself in the hunt it’s easy to lose perspective, especially if you experience multiple rejections. Talking to humans who know the real you will lift you up and keep you motivated.

Break through by standing out.

"You are either remarkable or invisible." -Seth Godin

• AI may be a blocker. Talent teams are overwhelmed and have become over-reliant on automation and shortcuts. If you are applying for the same job you do today, AI will give you high marks. If you are pivoting or moving laterally AI will tell recruiters to ignore you. You must and you can break through.
• Identify your raving fans. These are the people who will testify on your behalf. Seek opportunities within their circle of influence and respectfully ask their assistance to get connected.
• Referrals matter most and online referral forms are not sufficient on their own. Ask your contact to go above and beyond by directly providing your tailored resume and pre-written testimonial to the hiring manager and recruiter. The testimonial establishes how you know each other and why you are an exceptional candidate worth talking to.

Hold the line.

The conquering of fear is exhilarating.

• Wait for the right thing. You are looking for the right company, right job, and right boss. Note: Sometimes you just need the next job and not the best job. That’s okay and it can provide security as you continue looking.
• Hold out for what you’re worth based on facts and market evidence. Also hold out for fair treatment. Is a big company asking you to relocate on your own dime? No way. Asking you to sacrifice a bonus or stocks just to start a week or two earlier? No thanks.

Enjoy the ride.

You’re on it so you might as well enjoy it.

• Choose enjoyment. You can choose to enjoy the process. Enjoy the conversations you will have. Enjoy the new contacts you will make. Enjoy what you will learn about yourself. Enjoy what you will learn about the world outside of yourself.
• Choose abundance. You can choose to believe there are riches to be found. There are enough jobs and there are great jobs. There are people who need and want you on their team. The time and effort you invest will ROI.
• Make time for rejuvenation. Looking for a job is a job. Plan downtime for guilt-free relaxation and adventures just like you would if already working full-time.

Thank you for lifting up those who are #opentowork

Are you on this journey? Share what you've learned.

Do you know others on this journey? Share this article.

Can my network help? Let me know.