Job Search - Go Where You're Needed

I gave a talk at the Pacific Asian Consortium for Employment (PACE). My topic was “How to Ace the Interview.” There were many people who were serious about their job search. They were trying any and all avenues to complement their efforts in finding their next job. After the workshop, I was fortunate to talk with approximately 10 attendees, each patiently waiting their turn, to discuss their specific experiences with interviewing and their job search.

What I heard from these job seekers is a common challenge for many of us in the market. We don’t go where we’re needed.

We get very busy in the job search transactions that we tend to overlook some fundamentals that dictate the right activity and target the right company. We email resumes, go on dozens of interviews then repeat the cycle. But we miss the big reason of why we are putting forth our time, energy, miles and money to this effort.

One candidate said that she has been in accounting for over 15years. Her background is essentially in the same area of expertise and she was starting to think that companies generally prefer someone who is younger with less experience.

After some discussion, it was clear that she wasn’t maximizing her competitive edge. She may not have the cross-function background in accounting. However, she could still leverage that companies can immediately benefit from the maturity and wisdom that she can bring to an accounting department.

Remember: Companies aren’t hiring because they want to provide a sense of security to you. They hire because they have problems that need to be solved and you’ve got to present yourself as the one to solve it.

Consider this: there is only ONE of you. Only ONE company can hire you full-time. This means for the next several months or years, you can devote your daily working hours to ONE employer or project. This is enough to show you that you need to make this choice count.

What are some ways you know that the company is where you’re needed? Here are a few questions you can use:

• Does the position provide you an opportunity to consistently solve problems?
• Does the job adequately utilize your current skills and background?
• Is there enough work to keep you there for at least one year?
• If you completed the tasks in half the time, what other responsibilities would you take on?
• Does the job have potential responsibilities that you haven’t done or managed before?
• Is there an opportunity to learn something new?
• Is the company currently exploring systems/software or automated methods that may make your job obsolete?
• What do you believe you can contribute to the position within the first week of work? The first 30 days? The first 90 days?

The distinction with this market is that it actually demands the job seeker to be very directed and specific in their efforts. Employers and projects now require targeted expertise, finite time lines and any forms of guarantee that their problem will be solved. This means that you, as the job seeker, need to be more clever and practical at identifying the places that need you the most.

"But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." Galatians 6:4

3 Things You Can Expect From Coaching: Writing. Numbers. Change.

Have you wondered about what is really involved in coaching? You hear about different coaches. What's it about?

A coaching session is essentially a session of work. You have a coach, who is working just as hard as you are, to quickly steer you to the fastest, most efficient yet challenging solution that will bring you to the next and necessary step of the change that you want and need.

How do we do this over the phone? 
If you've tried a diet or tried going to the gym to eventually fall away from the routine, then you have an idea of how a good goal can diminish to a series of faded attempts. So how can a coach guarantee good results from a bunch of phone calls?

First, as a coach, I will tell you that every person is different. This means that the rate of change and the appreciation of the experience will differ. That's why it's important to find a coach that works well with you.

Secondly, a lot of the change depends on completing the assignments. It's not just busy work for you to complete between our sessions. These exercises hold important and revealing information that needs to be cleared up, confronted or mapped out. But that can only be done with the honest answers that you're willing to share. So we really depend on you to tell your story in order for us to steer you into the next phase of your life and career.

Here are three things that you can  expect from coaching:
Writing
The assignments are typically short and involve writing. Typing, though convenient, is not always recommended. Your coach will tell you which assignments need writing. There is a connection and effectiveness involved in the process of physically writing your answers. *We have accommodations for clients who may not be able to write. However, for the most part, if you are physically able to write, then we really encourage it. It's a free process that requires thought energy but the benefits begin almost immediately with writing. So, just be prepared to write.

Numbers
Coaching is fortunately more than just a feel-good motivation session.We use numbers to measure progress. It can vary from the number of times you do a task to establish a habit or tracking a pattern of incidents to identify a recurring theme. Change and success can be measured by using specific benchmarks in your current projects and relationships. We enjoy the use of numbers. They are important to gauge your rate of change.

Change
Change is the whole point of coaching. This is what we look forward to. Sometimes it's uncomfortable. Sometimes change happens so fast that we wonder why it took so long. Change is the value and result  that you get from coaching. Change can be a complete overhaul of habits or a shift in perspective on something that's been holding you back or keeping you imprisoned in a particular area of life. Change is what equips you for more change and prepares you for progress. Your experiences and how you react to change is critical. Change is also ongoing. Change can start in coaching and we certainly encourage you to expect more change, even after your sessions.