Five Ways to Your Job Search

Having coached many people through job transitions, my experience and research shows five key actions that can move you to the front of the line and start making things happen in your job search.

Idea #1: Shift From the "My Experience is Impressive" to the "Employer Solution Mindset"

When I was the hiring manager, I read stacks of resumes. Title, education and other information formed a message that basically said, I'm impressive, hire me. Isn't that what gets you hired?


No. Hiring managers hire people who solve their problems or help them get what they want without risk. Your experience may or may not communicate that to a potential employer.

Create a breakthrough by thinking like an employer and the solutions they're looking for. Don't make them translate your experience to the solution they're looking for.

Consider a career objective of "A detail-oriented accountant seeks a position with a top company." Sounds okay, right? But here's the same statement in employer solution language: "A proven problem-solving accountant seeks to partner with a growing company to help them manage growth." The latter career objective was written after stopping to see the job from the standpoint of a desired employer.

Idea #2: Use Their Words to Tell Your Story

A technical staffing service group got 30% more hires than any comparable company. Why? They made sure the resume they sent over to the hiring client used the words the client was looking for. In other words, they used the words of the company to customize the resumes to make sure they resonated with the client. It did. And when you use this idea, you will stand out as well.

Start by reviewing the job posting and note the key words and phrases they use. Job posting words like "team-oriented problem solver" should describe your experience. It works because your resume will get sorted by a computer and because the hiring manager wrote the job posting. So both the computer and hiring manager will enjoy your use of their words.

Consider adding a phrase from the job posting in your cover letter. Your cover letter might say "the wording in your job posting that mentioned 'strong analytical skills' resonates strongly with my 20-year experience as a management consultant." Cover both your resume and cover letter with their words.

Idea #3: Network Till It Hurts

Most jobs don't get posted. Employers want to trust those they already know (their employees) to refer people. This often results in a good hire in less time for the employer.

Let your social network know you are open to new opportunities and the type of opportunities that make the most of your talents and experiences.

Idea #4: Work Out of Your Strengths

When did you really shine in the workplace, volunteer opportunity, or elsewhere? What would others say are your strengths? Think about a time when you were operating at the top of your game. What were you doing?

Knowing your strengths, make sure new opportunities make the most of them or look to build alternative revenue streams through opportunities that more fully use your strengths.

For example, Grant was a good project manager. Understandably, he started his job search looking for another project manager gig after his company laid him off. Yet after thinking through his strengths or shining moments, he realized that he was very good at facilitating meetings with senior leaders. He loved partnering with the people who were driving real results in companies. And he enjoyed speaking to groups. Realizing this, he shifted his focus from just any project management gig to teaching project management at a local junior college. This wouldn't pay all the bills so he augmented his income by doing project quality management coaching for local companies. He loved it. He ended up making twice what he got as a project manager.

Know your "shining" moments. It can recharge your resume, help you become a more powerful networker, shine brighter in interviews, and your natural passion is contagious to those making hiring decisions.

Idea #5: Create Daily Momentum

Good salespeople feed their sales pipeline with good daily actions while keeping a clear head about successes and failures. They know that if they keep connecting with potential prospects, follow up, and prepare thoroughly for face-to-face opportunities, they eventually land the sale or reach their objective. So will you in your job search.

Right now, identify the daily actions that create positive momentum in your job search. For John, this meant applying for a minimum of three jobs a day, completing all follow ups, making at least one networking gesture a day, and preparing all he could for any upcoming face-to-face opportunity. And it worked. He found a job in less than half the time on average of those laid off at the same time.