The Secret to Getting a New Job

Looking for a new job can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing, particularly if you are currently out of work.  The waiting and wondering experienced by every job seeker hoping to hear back from the companies to which they applied takes a toll.  Progress can be glacially slow, and the feelings of rejection can quickly mount and cause talented people to doubt themselves and their abilities.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the pain of the job search process, while maximizing the likelihood of getting a job.

Above all else, one thing is required in order to successfully get a new job. And procrastination will be waiting at every turn, fighting to prevent you from the one thing that is required.  To get a new job you must… take action every single day.  

“Action is the foundational key to all success.”  Pablo Picasso

As simple as it may sound, taking action serves a variety of important purposes.  First, only with consistent and sustained action can momentum build.  Momentum is important in the job search process because it helps you continue to make progress even when you are fatigued.  It will ensure you don’t run out of energy and give up before you get your new job.

Dale Carnegie wisely said,

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage.” 

Doubt and fear will wreak havoc with your job search.  Once you get past the gauntlet of getting someone’s attention inside a company, you still have to impress people during the interviews.  When doubt and fear show up in an interview, it does not end well.  Companies want to hire confident individuals.  Confidence and courage come with… action.

Another challenge for the job seeker is the feeling they are no longer in control.  The feeling of being at the mercy of others can really have a negative impact on a person’s energy, confidence and level of engagement.  When energy dissipates, stagnation follows.

Tony Robbins said,

“Personal power is the the ability to take action.”

Taking action is the most effective way to regain power and take back control.  Action reminds us that we have choices and once action is taken, a sense of accomplishment begins to take root.  This in turn restores confidence, which helps us through the rest of the job search process.

What actions should you take? Here are some suggestions:

• Everyday you should be on LinkedIn.  There you can:
  • Build your network.  Look for people with whom you’ve worked in the past and send them an invitation to connect.
  • Engage with your connections, read and comment on their posts.  You don’t have to start by asking them to help you get a job.  Just reestablish connection with the people in your network and doors will begin to open.
  • Search for available jobs.  LinkedIn has millions of jobs posted, and the jobs can be sorted and filtered in a variety of useful ways.  Once you find a job of interest, check to see if you have any connections working at the company who can refer you to the hiring manager.
  • Stay informed on what’s happening in the business world through your news feed. You can also choose to follow companies you are interested in on LinkedIn.  This may help recruiters from those companies find you for appropriate jobs.
  • Read published articles and posts from experts on topics like creating a strong LinkedIn profile or resume, how to interview well, suggestions on how (and when) to negotiate salary.
  • Make sure your LinkedIn profile is well written.  Far more companies will see your LinkedIn profile than your resume.  Make sure you’ve given it an appropriate amount of attention.  Include a picture as this significantly increases the amount of engagement you get from recruiters.  Also, in settings you can indicate that you are open to new roles, which will also increase engagement from recruiters.
  • LinkedIn also offers a product called LinkedIn Learning which is a vast library of on-demand resources that will help you add or refresh your skills.  Adding new skills relevant to the types of roles you are interested in can make a huge difference in whether you get the job.  But, beyond the addition of skills, there is an equally important aspect of learning which is one of the most significant actions you can take during your job search.
• Always be learning.  Whatever avenue you choose, prioritize learning every day.  As you go through the job search process learning will help you combat the fatigue and sense of helplessness that can arise.  Learning will keep you fresh by providing you with new ideas on a daily basis. This will help you stay engaged and help you be more resilient in what can be a daunting and tiring process.  In your quest to take daily action, the bare minimum requirement is some type of learning… books, articles, on-demand courses and videos.  Whatever works for you.  Your investment in learning will pay dividends in the future.

A job search can be a very long process.  It can be overwhelming and discouraging.  The one thing that will help you combat the challenges you will face is… ACTION.  Take action every day, something to move you forward in the process, and you will be well on your way to a new job.