Friday, May 20, 2016

Is it time to Get Out of the Box?

It's not unusual for a job search to stretch on for months. There are many possible reasons why this is often the case. One of those is that job hunters can develop some "bad" habits. The one I want to address in this post is Staying Inside the Box.
By Staying Inside the Box, I mean doing everything right but not taking risks.
In recent months, some of my clients have ventured Outside the Box and have achieved success. Here are some of the risky things they tried...that worked.
Display your expertise - One of my clients wrote a Pulse post here on LinkedIn that demonstrated his knowledge and expertise in his field. Soon thereafter, his phone rang. It was a former colleague calling, triggered by reading the post. The two started talking and it culminated in a job offer.
Hang out with hiring managers - The phrase "hang out" comes from wise job search adviser Nick ("Ask the Headhunter") Corcodilos who often says, Hang out where the likely action is. In other words, where are You likely to find the employers you are most interested in? If you are in the pharma or chemicals industry, join ChemPharma, a networking group dedicated to that industry. If you are a Project Manager, join PMI. By joining the relevant industry organizations where your target employers hang out, you increase your exposure to them.
Talk shop - When it comes to networking conversations in professional organizations like the ones above, every job search coach recommends "Don't ask for a job." Instead, talk shop (again a 'hat tip' to Nick Corcodilos for this). Talking shop means asking the other person about their business. Show interest in them. Ask questions. Engage them in talking about what matters most TO THEM. It will become apparent, as the conversation goes along, that you have something of value to offer.
Offer to advise - Sometimes, you will be talking shop with a potential employer, but finally the employer will say something like "Gee I wish I could have you join my company, but we have no money/no opening/ no budget." Your response could be, No Problem! Consider me an adviser. I'll come in, take a look at your operation, and give you my recommendations. If you like them, you can offer me something (i.e., compensation) in return. If you want, I can come in on a regular basis (i.e., a retainer).
Contact your rejecters - Most job hunters get turned down. It's to be expected. But how many job hunters go back to those rejecters and offer a counter-proposal? I recently read about this idea in a Pulse post where the author said that he re-contacted all the companies that had turned him down. He offered to consult with them in case they needed extra help. Out of all that he reached out to, he heard back from only a small handful. But of those, several said Yes.
Have you heard of any other out-of-the-box ideas for job hunters? Please write them in the comments.
Terrence Seamon works with career transitioners. Follow him on twitter @tseamon

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