Mark Hirschfeld

I just had a conversation with someone who is in the job search. As I listened to what he was doing, it became clear he was making some of the most common mistakes I’ve seen over the years. This list was compiled based on conversations I’ve had with several of my peers. The following were by far the most frequently cited:

1. Not knowing what you want in a job that would fit your talents, interests and values,

2. Ignoring the value and power of personal networking,

3. Not researching companies, by using information in the public domain and also what you can learn from personal networking,

4. Being unprepared for networking and job interviews, and

5. Using “one-size-fits-all” communications, such as cover letters and resumes.

For each of these issues, do a self-check. Where did you rate yourself lower? What can you do, TODAY, to make some progress? What would you like to achieve BY THE END OF THE WEEK?

Improving in these areas won’t guarantee success in your job search, but will, in my experience, improve your chances.

If you are looking for work right now, send me a personal message if you have any questions about this list. I’m keeping a good thought for you.

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My mentor and friend Dr. Donald O. Clifton told a story about a neighbor who made his living as a master woodworker. One day Don went to his shop. He watched him mitering the corners of a picture frame, which came out perfect and looked beautiful.

When the job was done Don’s friend looked at him and said: “Don, you got to get a kick out of it every time it fits like that.”

There is some work for which we find tremendous joy and satisfaction, and then there is work that we may do well but is life-draining. Don’s friend had been a woodworker for many years but still enjoyed when he did the task well.

If you can, find work for which you get a kick, that provides that same kind of feeling. If you don’t know what that might be, step back and reflect on your past work and think about times when your work, even modest tasks, provided that satisfaction.

You’ll probably be asked a question like “what do you find most satisfying in your work?” You’ll have an answer, and a savvy employer will want you if what you enjoy fits with the work they are offering.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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Have you applied for a job at a company, had an interview, and then never heard back?

You’ve been “ghosted”.

Sadly, many employers don’t follow up with candidates who aren’t moving forward on a job. It is, in my view, lazy, disrespectful and unprofessional on the part of an employer. It can hurt their brand. Even if you don’t get this job, you are still a potential future employee, referrer and a customer.

As a job seeker, what should you do?

~ If you had what you thought was a good interview that you think might lead to an offer, DON’T STOP SEARCHING. Keep looking. You are in control of your search.

~ Check your networking contacts to see if you know someone can help.

~ Finally, take the high road. Send one last note to the recruiter or hiring manager. Express your disappointment they have not followed up and wish them well.

Stick to your plan. Do your homework. Tell your story.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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While most of us want our dream job, the reality is we may have to settle for something less.

If an ideal job isn’t available, you can choose a “bridge job”, which I define as less than ideal but one you can be employed now and use to “bridge” to that better opportunity.

Sometimes a bridge job is just about getting a paycheck. But here are some other ways you can think about this tactic:

· Learn a new skill. Consider bridge jobs where you can learn a new skill or gain experience that would make you more valuable for your future dream job.

· Make new contacts. Choose a job where you could make some contacts that could help you in your career.

· References. Be awesome in your bridge job so that you earn a reference.

Not all bridge jobs are created equal. If you choose this route, pick a bridge job that helps you move forward, which gets you from one side of the bridge to the other.

It’s a great day. Let’s get moving.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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Have you heard of the Johari Window? According to Wikipedia, it “is a technique that helps people better understand their relationship with themselves and others.”

According to the model, each of us has BLIND SPOTS. We can reduce blind spots by asking for feedback. For your job search you might ask former co-workers, bosses or customers to give you feedback about your career and how you could improve.

Each of also put on a FAÇADE and don’t reveal our true self. We may need to keep some things close, but there are also likely things we can share that would reveal more of our true self and, in doing so, may create more interest to prospective employers. This would require us to self-reveal, which isn’t always easy. Often a close friend/coach can be a place to start that process.

Using these techniques will not only help your career search but can be useful in all parts of our life.

(More about Johari Window: https://tinyurl.com/zm3ubkf)

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Back in the day I spent time working in the United Kingdom. When someone loses their job because of a downsizing or merger, there is a term they use:

Redundant.

They say: “you have been made redundant.”

Although accurate, it’s terribly hurtful. Demeaning.

When you’re unemployed, you’re going to hear words, like redundant, said about you.

Those words aren’t you.

They’re words that a broken, inhumane society says, but they’re not you.

You, rather, have talents.

You have skills.

You have goals.

You have ways you can contribute.

Never, ever, forget that have been made to do work, to add value, and to find satisfaction in helping a group achieve something meaningful.

The last thing you are is redundant.

Stay in the game.

Do your homework.

Tell your story.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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My dad was a fan of one car company when I was growing up, so he was a bit disturbed when I brought home another brand.

He walked all the way around the car. I asked him if he wanted to go for a drive. He opened the door of the car, and then shut it.

It shut easily and firmly, something that his brand of car was not known for.

“Hmm,” he said.

He eventually realized I made a good purchase.

Lenny closed and door and changed his mind.

When you’re in the job search, you too may need to close a door or two. Those doors, metaphorically, speaking, are mindsets that will get in the way of you moving on.

There are some self-limiting doors that need to be shut, such as “there are absolutely no jobs in the current economy.”

There are some self-defeating doors, such as “I am so angry at my former boss that I will never trust another leader again.”

There are some self-destructive doors, such as “there isn’t anyone out there who can understand me or would be willing to help.”

Take a page from Lenny. Take a good look. Close the door if you need to. Chart a different path.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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In your job search you will meet many people. Some of those contacts will be helpful, some won’t be particularly helpful, and some may be downright annoying.

Thank them all.

Say thank you to each contact you make in your job search.

No exceptions.

If I have a mailing address I prefer go old school and write a note. It’s a nice touch and will differentiate you because most people won’t make the effort.

In absence of that you can also send something electronically.

There is so much in your job search you can’t control, but this is something that is within your control.

Aside from being a smart thing to do it also happens to be, in my view, a kind and considerate thing to do.

And I think the world can always use a bit more of those qualities, don’t you?

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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Yes, I’m a Trekkie. (Original Series, but Captain Picard).

You may recall that the three main characters each had different strengths, and along with his deep knowledge Mr. Spock was wired to tell the truth.

In one movie it appeared that he lied, and when called out by one of this fellow Vulcan’s he said: “I didn’t lie. I implied.”

This sort of thing makes for good theater, but in the job search you don’t even want the hint you’ve implied something.

You want to tell the truth, all the time.

Full stop.

In some cases, being honest may put you in a bad light. For example, you may have a gap in your work experience. Aside from the fact that lots of folks do and it doesn’t in any way predict your ability to do a job, don’t contrive a story about the work gap.

Tell the truth.

To be sure, you can explain yourself and highlight your skills and experiences in a way that helps them see your positives, but don’t fib about the experience.

Given how transparent things are these days the truth will probably come out anyway, so be up front with a hiring manager.

Tell your story, tell is with great conviction, and tell it honestly.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

 #jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies