SMART Moves for 2017

In my previous post, called "Time to RECAP the Year," I mentioned that I would next publish a SMART approach to approaching the new year.

Here it is, five practices that will make you a SMART job hunter.

S = Strategy: Do you have a strategy for your job search in 2017? What is a strategy, you wonder? Essentially, if you have a strategy, you have a battle plan.

The word strategy comes from "strategos" and means the art of the General. An effective commander knows what she is after. The Objective is clear. The Plan for achieving the objective is laid out as a roadmap. The Obstacles have been identified and the Resources will be marshaled against them.

M = Market: How do you find potential employers? Like a Big Game Hunter tracks and snares his prey. With clear intent and unrelenting pursuit. You know what you want. You know your market. Because you know your Product. And the product is You. Remember: when you are in transition, you are in Sales & Marketing.

A = Acquisition: How do you rise above the rest of the job hunters out there? They want a job. But you are looking to acquire opportunities. Opportunities to connect and expand your network. Opportunities to learn and enrich your knowledge. Opportunities to help lift others up who may also be in transition.

Sure, you want a job too. But think about it for a few minutes from the point of view of the recruiter who is beating the bushes to find and attract some good candidates. Great recruiters are also seeking new contacts, new information, and new ways to help others. You are doing the same thing from the other side of the equation. So get into acquisition mode.

R = Research: How do you wow the employer? By demonstrating how much you know about him or her. You did your research, using your network, LinkedIn, and other resources on the internet. You prepared a list of questions to ask. You know so much about the employer that you may actually stun the interviewer.

T = Target Companies & Tools: The smart job hunter doesn't hunt jobs. Rather she hunts companies. What companies are "in your sights?" Where do you want to work? How will you penetrate them and raise your visibility with them?

The well-equipped job hunter always carries his most trusty tools, especially business cards, a pen, a fully charged cell phone, and a box of "Thank You" note cards.

But the Swiss Army Knife of all job search tools is one's network, the people you know, the people you can count on, the people who are looking out for you.

One last thing: An important component of your strategy is your Story. What is your story? Your Story is your Brand. Telling your Story is the way you sell the prospect.

Why would an employer hire you? Because you told the best story. The story of Who You Are. And the value that you can bring to the employer's organization.

Be smart, baby. Be smart.

Terrence Seamon helps career transitioners to reach their goals. Follow him on twitter @tseamon, and connect on LinkedIn.