How do I find the right job for me? Everyone seems to be looking for that ever elusive dream job. I think there a few things we need to think about before we embark on a job search.
- The perfect job does not exist
- Money is not as important as job satisfaction – you will spend most of your waking hours in your new job. Yes you want to earn enough to meet your needs and see some room for growth, but is a well paying job with a boss from hell really worth it? You go home frustrated every day and it is scientifically proven that this affects your health. It will also affect your family and friends, because of your reaction to the daily frustrations.
- Office Location does play a role.
- If you apply for a job, try and talk to people who work in the company to find out if they like it or not. Also ask about working hours, Saturday work, Leave days etc.
The best job opportunities are not found on Job websites or job adverts, they are actually found through networking. Hence a very important part of your job hunt is networking.
Actually in many of the jobs I have applied for it turned out that they recruited a lower skilled and lower qualified person, who just knew the right Manager.
How do I start?
- You need to attend relevant events – find your professional association, organization, prof. body etc and check out their events. Yes they may cost money to attend. But you will learn something new and build your network. Get to know people, but do not put them off by asking for a job immediately. Instead make comments about the days topic or the presentation content. Discuss with them, then exchange business cards and contact them the next day. Also connect on LinkedIn.
- Get active in your relevant professional online circles. For example get active on www.projectmanagement.com by commenting on articles, blogs, discussions etc. Or do the same on LinkedIn. Join groups or communities on LinkedIn.
- Use Hashtags effectively, so that others outside your inner circle get to see your comments.
- Contribute content on the different social media. That way you establish yourself as a specialist in your field.
- Start a blog and share it on LinkedIn when you post an entry
- When you go to project meetings talk to colleagues from other companies. Get to know them. Discuss issues of the project with them
- When you are out socially, let people know what you are doing. Carry your business cards with you. When you travel talk to the one sitting next to you.
- Attend other networking opportunities like LunchIn, BNA, Rotary, Lions etc During these events you get to know people and if your conduct and contributions impress them, they will contact you when they need your expertise.
You will be surprised how from these often casual seeming events and encounters you can get amazing opportunities. As long as you play your cards well. Nothing is as off putting as someone introducing him / herself “Hi I am Stephanie, I am looking for a job”.
Another big NoNo (You should never do that if you want to be taken serious) is asking clients from your current company for a job. You will only come as unethical and not committed to your work. I do not know a single last good job opportunity that has come from such behavior. Those who got jobs that way, never were happy in their new jobs and did not stay long. But they are also few and far between. Believe me: Networking works better in the long run.
Read up on effective networking and have fun with it. Networking is enriching, gives you an enormous circle of friends, mentors and future business.