October 2005-Women's Business Cincinnati

 

I want to begin looking for a new job either with my current company or with another company.   What do suggest as an effective process for “Find the Job that Fits?” 

 

Many clients come to me with this very important question.  Some love the companies they work for, but dislike the current job they are staffed in.  Still others want to make a quantum leap to another organization to try something new!

 

I tell my clients that finding the perfect job is like “Finding the Shoes that Fit!”  Think about this metaphor as.”

“It is like having a favorite pair of shoes that when you wear them you feel great and you are confident about yourself.  They make you feel like a million bucks”

To help you in the process of looking for a new job below 6 step process I use with many of my clients for “Finding that Job that Fits.”  It is simple, empowering and action oriented. All the exercises and forms will are on my website at

www.lifequest2000.com.  There is a dedicated WBC link.  When you see the : symbol if samples or forms are available on the website.

 

Step 1:  Define Mission and Values. 
Simply said, what do you stand for and what is your passion?  If you don’t know this YOU MUST figure it out!  It is proven that if you do something that you love, success you will find your personal success!  There are many exercises Businesses Coaches can provide to help you determine this.  :

 

Step 2:  Know thy self and be true! 
You need to take time to get very clear about your strengths, opportunity areas, personal thinking style, personal expectations, unique skills and your brilliance. Brainstorm these areas and use the tools many coaches have available.   One of tools I use with all my clients is the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument, which helps individuals understand their dominant thinking style which drives so much of what we do in our lives and what we are naturally are great at. :

 

Step 3:  CARS

 Another “MUST DO.” Write down the 10-12 of your most Significant Accomplishment in your professional career.    Then using what I call the “CARS Concept” write down the following for each accomplishment:

C-       The Challenge?

A-       Your Actions?

R-       Your Results?

S-        The Strengths and Skills you used?

 

This simple exercise not only helps you identify your strengths, skills and passion, but it also prepares you for ANY interview you will face in the future.  You will have powerful examples at your fingertips to WOW any interviewer.  In addition, these accomplishments also become the backbone of your resume and are requested many times as part of the online internal posting process at companies.:

 

Step 4:  Write your IDEAL job description.

I use a technique called mind mapping with my clients, which is basically brainstorming all the elements of your ideal job/career very specifically, not generally.  Using this information you write a draft of your ideal job description.  

 

When you complete this description read it out loud to yourself and ask “Is this the job I want to do?”  Then select 5 trusted people in your life and share this description with them and ask for their feedback.  Keep rewriting it until it feels RIGHT!  This exercise gives you the foundation to develop your strategy for marketing yourself.:

 

Step 5:  Write your Resume

You are now ready to write your resume with the information you have pulled together.   Your objective should become clearer for what kind of job you are looking for, your strengths have been clearly defined and your accomplishments detailed with results. :

 

Step 6:  Now Network

Did you know that 80% of all jobs are found through networking, not the newspaper or online job posting like “Hot Jobs!”  Remember it is not who you know, it is who your network knows.  The average person has 300 people in their network!

August 2005-Women's Business Cincinnati 

 

The networking process for you is the same for inside your company and outside.  Key to success is always developing your network internally and externally. 

 

As part of this process brainstorm everyone you know in your network to include:  friends, mentors, sponsors, college friends/fraternity/sorority, old bosses, current bosses, co-workers, resources, vendors, clients, church associates, neighbors etc.  Download the Networking Tool Sheet from the website!  :


Prioritize who you will connect with first based on internal or external job search and then either call or email your contacts.  Set up a time to meet over coffee, a phone call or a meal.  Share your story about your passion, mission, interests, skills, strengths and job description.  Ask them what they think about the information.  Do they know anyone that you should connect with in the company or externally that might be able to help? Can you use them as a reference when contacting these people?  You will be surprised how helpful people want to be! 

 

Always end with “How can I support you, since you have provided me such wonderful insight.”  Follow with a personal note of thanks and highlight any next steps. Be sure to have your resume handy to provide your contact. Customize if need be!   Set a goal to network with at least 3 people a day!

 

 

In closing…you will be amazed at how these simple 6 steps will set things into motion for you and your network will begin to send things back to you…leads, contacts, job postings, or even a promotion!.  You will also become more alert on what is available in the marketplace.  You will find that you attract new opportunities because you have clearer intentions!  Make this a fun experience and think about the possibilities!  It is your life so “Carpe Diem”…Seize the Day or live by what my teenage son’s t-shirt says… “Carpe Noctem”…Seize the Night!

 

Coach Donna