There is a big misconception that in good economic times the job search process is easy…it is not. Being clear of the destination of your career and being confident in the means to get there is an important, yet difficult proposition which most people struggle with. If it was easy you would have likely already achieved these two goals with little confusion. To help you accomplish these noble goals and land your ideal opportunity, I’ll lay out six key factors that will lead you to achieve a successful career transition.
1. Create a Vision
You must have a clear vision or mental image of where you want to transition to. If you start your search without conceiving a vision of what you want obtain, and why you want to obtain it, you run the risk of “wondering in the wilderness,” and that could likely lead you nowhere or to places you will ultimately regret. A career vision will help you avoid chasing “shiny things and squirrels” or taking a “spray and pray” approach where you send your resume all over the place with no clear focus. “Shiny thing” opportunities attract your attention because they are novel or are sexy, or simply available, but they are not often what you really want or should pursue.
Let’s use aviation as an analogy. Often times people start their career search with little idea where they are going or the travel plan to get there. If you rev up your engines and take off on a job search with no vision as to where you are going you run the risk of quickly getting off course and burning finite resources that can put you at risk. If you’re having difficulty determining your vision, consider using various assessment instruments and an adviser or coach to help you identify or validate your general career direction. These assessments include among others DiSC, Meyers Briggs, The Clifton StrengthsFinder, Strong Interest Inventory, The Birkman Method, The Holland Code and The Harrison Instrument. Also do research and gain advise from professionals who already occupy roles you are considering.
One quick way to help force yourself to define and communicate your vision is to create an effective Branding Statement. Some people call it your “Elevator Pitch”, however I don’t like that term at all. It’s the wrong visual for what really happens when you are attempting to professionally describe yourself. A good Branding Statement should communicate what you are professionally (by level and job function in future terms), what you specialize in (technically/functionally), what your value proposition is (outcomes your produce), what qualifies you for what you want to do (career and educational history), what role(s) you’re looking for and what you need help with to achieve your search goals.
2. Establish a Vector
It is important to establish a clear heading, course or flight plan that will make it easier for you to navigate your search. When you identify your final destination (your future job), set your flight plan (your marketing plan) and load it into your guidance control system (actively tracking system) you will lock on your destination, you will have a smoother safer ride and you’ll reach your destination in a more efficient manner. Work to identify a direction that enables a path of least resistance to reach your final destination. Then select and perfect a few key go-to-market strategies that will align with your charted course. Pick a few things you need to do and do well; such as develop a “branded” resume and LinkedIn Profile, prepare your messaging, research your target market, develop, engage and follow-up with your network, connect with agencies, check job boards, then repeat and do it again. Just like a pilot, plan your route before you take off and track your progress as you go making sure you stay online to your destination. Maintain guidance from ground control, i.e. a career coach to help you chart the best course, calibrate the speed, maneuver around storms, catch good tailwinds, navigate your decent and stick a smooth landing.
3. Achieve Velocity
To reach cruising altitude in your search you’ll need to build and maintain a proper rate of speed to create lift for your search and cruise to your destination. If you vary too much the intensity of your search you will lose momentum. You have to create and maintain an aggressive pace to your routine so you can establish a good rhythm to your search activities. The positive adrenaline will create fuel to help you stay motivated, engaged and moving forward to your landing spot. However, if you are reckless and lack focus, and you don’t maintain a good flight plan you’ll burn precious financial or emotional fuel and you’ll encounter unnecessary hazards.
4. Be Vigorous
To be successful in a job search you need exhibit intensity and a proper dose of forcefulness on a consistent basis to get results. Robust energy, mental strength and vitality are important to develop and maintain the appropriate pace and momentum. This inertia builds on itself and creates a sizable pipeline of opportunities. Energy is hard thing to create and maintain on a consistent basis when the environment is harsh and fluctuating circumstances of life are challenging. You do not need to create energy; it is within you already. You just need reignite and channel the energy you already have that is functioning at low levels or that is dormant.
In physics, you probably learned that the conservation of energy is an absolute law of a closed system and that it cannot be created or destroyed nor increased nor decreased without stimulus from the outside, and yet this law seems to contradict everyday life. “Sparks create a fire, which generates heat thus manifesting energy that wasn’t there before. A battery produces power. A bomb creates an explosion. Each of these situations is simply a case of energy changing form, not energy being created.” (Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American Article)
Although it is important to maintain a vigorous pace to your search, you should also balance of your work time with personal recovery time or you will emotionally burn yourself out. Designate time to re-energize yourself though connecting with friends and family, exercise, eat right, listen to or read motivational content and get proper sleep. The cycle of rest and re-engagement will enable you to preserve your energy.
5. Produce Volume
You have to identify or produce a sizable network and make lots of touches with your target audience to get optimal results. Keep the top of your funnel full by implementing a high-volume proactive outreach plan designed to connect with your preferred audience. In sales you are dead if your process does not produce leads in volume, the same goes for the job search process. Set realistic but aggressive weekly outreach goals and work hard to achieve them.
6. Persist to Victory
As arduous as the job search process is you must “keep on keep’n on.” Press on through both good and bad times. When you’re confused, move forward. When your confidence is shaken, move forward. When you feel like you have run out of energy, move forward. When you get depressed, move forward. When you feel like giving up, move forward. Get help if you have to, but move forward. Fake it until you make it if needed, but move forward. And when you are going through all of these things at the same time, count your blessings and step by step, move forward. When you keep moving forward you can ultimately be assured of success. You only fail when you quit. My mom always told me two things that I have never forgotten, “every set-back is a set-up for a come-back” and “it will be better tomorrow.” If you’re stuck and confused, and you know that doing the same things will not produce a better result, but you’re not sure what do differently, seek professional help. Once you’ve gotten help and you have a plan in place, take action and don’t over analyze everything you do. Just persistently work your plan.
President Calvin Coolidge said “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” President Coolidge had it right then and it is true today.
Go for it…you can do this.
Rex Rolf is proven Executive Career, Leadership and Performance coach that serves national and international clients. Rex has successfully coached hundreds of professionals seeking change, growth and balance. For more information and to connect with Rex visit www.Go4Cornerstone.com.
