Find your next amazing job: Process overview and planning
Finding an amazing job can be frustrating and discouraging. Create a plan to increase your focus and reduce the time spent searching.
Are you in a job that you love? You know, the kind that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning because you can’t wait to get started. If not, here are some tips to make the search for your next position more successful and less stressful.
If you have been hitting the snooze button regularly, it may be time to start looking for a different position. Finding your next (or your first) amazing job takes effort; it is much less frustrating when you follow some tried and true steps.
The first of those is to create a clear job search plan. I’m sure those who prefer spontaneity are already looking for Tip 2. If you prefer spontaneity, please shift outside of your comfort zone just for this process and create clarity before jumping ahead. In my 25+ years of coaching people through career change, I’ve learned that a plan gives you more flexibility and will save you lots of time, frustration, and discouragement. Let’s look at an overview of an effective job search process that makes the process easier.
Many times, people skip a key step in the planning phase. As a result, they struggle with networking (to find out about the 85% of the jobs that are never posted), take another job that is not a great fit, or waste significant time. Let’s look at some key steps in this phase.
Outline your career objectives—Do an analysis of what is important to you in your next position and organization. This analysis will provide focus as you search for opportunities and develop your resume. Do you want to:
Do the same type of job in a different culture or environment?
Get a promotion?
Use your skills in an entirely different career?
Find a position that aligns with your personal values?
Have more work/life balance or flexibility?
Find a position that better fits your style? If you aren’t sure what positions would be a better fit, go to step 2.
Complete a career assessment(s). Assessments ask questions about your interests, preferred tasks, skills, and values. Based on your input, they provide information on potential occupations. This allows you to explore new opportunities and/or narrow your job choices. A number of organizations offer free assessments; some options are provided below.
Develop Transition Statement(s)—This is a step many people skip and, as a result, they find it difficult to network and they aren’t prepared when someone asks why they are looking for a new job.
Whether you have a job or not, people will want to know why you are looking for something new. If you were impacted by a reduction in force, you can share that your previous company eliminated a number of jobs including yours. When you are developing the statement, remember to be positive about your previous organization and to clearly describe the type of position or organization for which you’d like to work.
Complete a Financial Review—This helps you determine what lifestyle changes you might want to make as you search for your next opportunity. People who have a clear understanding of their finances are better able to focus on their search.
In the next blog, we will explore Phase 2 and developing effective job search tools.
Important reminder: This information is a high-level overview of the process. Many people need additional support to craft an effective job search plan. If you are feeling overwhelmed, finding it difficult to narrow your search, need additional insights on a transition statement, or want any other support, click here to learn how coaching from Competitive Edge HR can improve your success.
Career Assessment Resources
Truity—Their career assessments use the Holland Code and Big Five systems to measure your aptitudes and identify jobs that align with your strengths.
CareerOneStop —These assessments direct you to careers that align with your workplace skills, interests, and/or values.
O*Net Interest Profiler—Provided by the US Department of Labor, this is another resource that looks at your interests and helps you decide what careers you might want to explore.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter—This assessment provides insight into your temperament which influences job search strategies, job performance and career satisfaction.