Get Social During Your Job Search
Navigating the often-turbulent waters of a job search can feel like a solitary voyage. Days melt into weeks, applications vanish into a digital void, and self-doubt can become a constant companion. While the temptation to retreat into isolation and tackle your search alone might be understandable, it's precisely during these times that staying connected with others emerges as a crucial lifeline. Far from being a distraction, building and nurturing your social network offers a wealth of benefits that can propel your job search forward with unexpected momentum.
Below are the groups or individuals who I believe you should consider “getting social with” for a more effective and enjoyable job search:
1.) Network – Your network is your strong ties, your weak ties, and your dormant ties. It is your family, friends, co-workers, former co-workers, classmates, former classmates, community members, etc. In other words, people you have (and had) relationships with. Why get social with them? Your network can connect you to people and opportunities, offer support and feedback, and provide information and insight. Your network is your Career GPS. It will work for you – IF you engage with it.
2.) Job Club – A job club is a group of job seekers who come together to share information, offer support, review each other’s resumes, and conduct mock interviews, among other things. Why get social with them? With a job club, you can harness the collective energy, information, connections, knowledge, and wisdom of your group. Members of a job club can empathize with you because they are going through similar circumstances. This empathy and understanding can make possible the effective support you need to be successful in your job search. More on Job Clubs here.
3.) Career Advisory Board – You career advisory board are those handful of people in your network that you turn to for accountability, unique insight, mentorship, and overall career guidance. Why get social with them? This diverse group of people play a number of important roles in helping you navigate your career – from providing general support, to connecting you to opportunities and decision-makers, to being a truth teller, to providing industry or job specific insight based on experience. While the composition of your board of advisors will change based on your needs and current/future career goals, they will always be the people in your network you turn to for career mentorship, guidance, and advice. More Career Advisory Board information here.
4.) Career Coaches – These professionals have their pulse on everything careers – from which skills employers are prioritizing, to which occupations are positioned for growth, to how to make a successful career switch, to how to create a resume that beats the ATS and catches the attention of a hiring manger, to how to ace an interview, to developing a targeted job search strategy, and so much more. Why get social with them? Career coaches provide comprehensive, person-centered guidance encompassing everything from assessments, visioning, experimenting, matching, and targeted action – all with one goal in mind: positioning you for success in your career and job search. They help you figure out who you are, where you want to go in your career, and how to get there.
5.) Independent Recruiters – Independent recruiters source, recruit, and screen candidates on behalf of employers (their clients). Why get social with them? Independent recruiters are laser focused on filling their clients’ open positions, and therefore, WANT TO CONNECT WITH JOB SEEKERS. Furthermore, because of their close relationship with a wide range of employers, independent recruiters understand what employers are really looking for that may not be evident in a stale job description. And they’re often made aware of current or future job openings that aren’t publicly advertised and which you don’t know about (the hidden job market!). When you connect with an independent recruiter, you have the opportunity to gain access to this information AND stay at the top of their mind for current or future job opportunities.
You will be more effective in achieving your job search goals if you have strong social connections to help guide you. You may not need the support or guidance of every person or group listed above TODAY, but you may SOMEDAY.
🗝 Getting social during your job search isn't just a temporary bridge to a new position; it's an investment in your future. By nurturing relationships, you build a web of support, advice, and opportunity that extends far beyond the current hunt. So, step out of your comfort zone, get social, and let the power of connection propel you towards your dream job!
[This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 12/19/23: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-social-during-your-job-search-bill-leonard-mhrm-up4de/?trackingId=Nf5ORnYRQFOHyuHV8DVOTA%3D%3D]