Make It Easy
Excelling at work, and in a job search, can be challenging. Career development is both a science and an art. There is so much to consider, including education/training, relationships and networking, risk tolerance, technological changes, occupational and industry trends, professional development, and so on. In today’s competitive, fast-changing, global economy, you can use all the help you can get. To increase the likelihood of being successful in your career, make it easy for the people or groups who can help you the most. Here’s who to make it easy for, and how to make it easy:
1. Make it easy for…your network
Your network can help identify job opportunities, make introductions to a hiring manager or internal contact, and provide useful information and insight, among many other things. But they can’t do that for you if they don’t know you are looking for a new job, know what specific role you are pursuing, or know what you need from them. Don’t assume your network can read your mind. Because they can’t.
If you are in a job search and need help identifying opportunities, tell them.
If you are targeting a specific role, tell them.
If you need an introduction to someone in your target company, ask them.
If you need information or insight, ask them.
Make it easy for your network to help you in your job search. Keep them informed and ask for help when you need it.
2. Make it easy for…the recruiter
Recruiters are often the first person a job seeker will communicate with at a prospective employer (but they shouldn’t be if you know how to network effectively). A good recruiter will not only source qualified candidates, but also gather additional, relevant information for the hiring manager to determine if a candidate should be considered for an interview.
Recruiters can’t help if a job seeker is unclear about what their strengths are, what value they would provide to the employer, or what they are looking for in an employer, among other things. Recruiters are many things, but they aren’t mind readers. Don’t make them figure it out, because they won’t.
Make it crystal clear why you are applying.
Make it crystal clear what your relevant qualifications are.
Make it crystal clear what value you would provide to the employer.
Make it crystal clear what you are looking for in an employment relationship.
Make it easy for recruiters to understand why you are a great fit for the role you are pursuing. Recruiters can make a persuasive case to the hiring manager – if you make a persuasive case to them.
3. Make it easy for…your leader or coach
Your leader or coach (consider NOT using the word boss or manager – language matters) is there, in part, to assist you, guide you, mentor you, and develop you. They are there to help you be your best self at work – which will ultimately help the company be more impactful, productive, and profitable. But your leader or coach can’t do those things if they are unaware of your hopes, dreams, goals, frustrations, worries and so on. If you don’t speak up, your leader or coach may assume that you are content.
If you want more responsibility, tell them.
If you need more training, tell them.
If you can’t handle your workload and need assistance, tell them.
If you want to pursue another internal opportunity, tell them.
Make it easy for your leader or coach to help you excel at work (and thus your career). Communicate clearly, timely, and professionally what you need help with.
The interactions you have with your network, recruiters, and your leader or coach, go a long way to determining whether you will be successful at work and in your job search. By communicating effectively, you make it easy for them to help you. And everyone can use a little help at work and in a job search, yourself included.
For more career development tips and information, visit https://www.leonardworkforcesolutions.com/news
For information about 1:1 career development services, visit: https://www.leonardworkforcesolutions.com/careerdevelopment
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:
1. You’ve Given Your 2 Weeks’ Notice – Now Do These 3 Things: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/youve-given-your-2-weeks-notice-now-do-3-things-bill-leonard-mhrm/
2. Show Up In Person and Make It Happen: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thebillleonard_amanda-ruller-otas-press-conference-june-activity-6942850278987616257-mEfL?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
3. Inside The Career Coaching Conversation - Just Tell Them: https://youtu.be/XzqCr-wQaxU
[This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 6/27/22: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/make-easy-bill-leonard-mhrm/?trackingId=99mWxCl3THGyYKSLlJpTeQ%3D%3D]