RELATIVITY: ARE YOU MAXIMIZING YOUR TIME IN SEARCHING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY?

Late Wednesday night, October 30th, my phone began to ring incessantly, almost as if it was taking on a life of its own.  I knew deep down why the phone was ringing, but was surprised to learn who was calling at such late hours.  The Boston Red Sox were on their way to winning their 8th World Series, but it was the first Fall Classic that they were to win in 95 years, since 1918, at home at one of the last remaining older cathedrals of baseball, Fenway Park.  I received 37 phone calls that evening and answered every one.

The people that called me knew that I originally hailed from Boston.  In fact, I grew up in one of its sleepy suburbs south of the city called Hyde Park and to this day still possess one of the more distinctive and tell tale accents and dialects that exist in this great country.  It is amazing.  I can turn on the 'Kennedy' accent as I need to and those words ending in 'R' do not exist.  Ask me where I park my car and I will tell you it is parked in Hahvahd Yard.  People were calling and congratulating me almost as if I had something to do with the victory.  There were the obvious family members, friends and what was surprising were the people that I have helped in their job search over the years, updating me on their careers.  I finished my last conversation at around 2AM and it didn't even stop there.  I was obligated to watch the sports commentaries and talking heads and did not retire for the evening for hours beyond the conclusion of the World Series.

It was worth it; witnessing history.  Knowing what Boston had been through earlier in the year.  I have been a recruiter in one form or another for almost two decades, and talking to former clients and candidates years after the fact of helping them taught me a valuable lesson in work ethic.  People remembered the services that I provided and wanted to 'thank me' in so many words for helping them.  It meant a lot to me.

Searching for the right job could turn into a long and arduous process.  But the fundamentals are all the same: PREPARATION, MARKETING, NETWORKING, PERSISTENCE, CONNECTIVITY, CONSISTENCY and MOTIVATION are all part of the many variables incessant in a successful job search.  One of the people who called me last Wednesday night reminded me of a presentation that I gave years ago to a church group and how significant it was to him and others in the group.  Sometimes you don't realize how much of an impact that you might have on a person's life by giving 110% of yourself in a job that is done day in and day out.  It is that 'work ethic' again.

Years ago, I was the person on the 'other end' of the phone.  The company that I had worked with for years had decided to part ways with me and many others at the same time.  It was a 'wicked' layoff and one that was pretty devastating to me.  I even invited myself to many 'pity parties' that were held in my honor while I was the only one who attended.  The word must have got out that I was in a bad way and then one day the phone rang.  I was like a deer in headlights and had not yet begun the marketing or networking process.  It was my old friend John who had heard that I was laid off and wanted to check in on me to see how I was doing.  He took me in under his wing and counseled me through example, prayer and began a 5 week process to re-organize, re-design, re-build and re-develop my thought process.  He too had a story and an experience and was using me as a way for him 'to pay it forward' from the kindness and compassion that someone gave to him.

I never forgot that experience or his heart felt words to me.  He effectively brought me out of a dark place and gave me the encouragement, the confidence and motivation to move forward.  As usual, what John had done for me was not obviously apparent to me.  He had given me a book to read, which I still have today, and had nothing to do with a job search.  It was about growth and learning from adversity.  The name of the book, 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Album.  Things were about to change.

The presentation that I had given years ago to that church group was now front and center again.  It was entitled:  

RELATIVITY and it was based on Professor Einstein's theory on relativity.  E = MC2. This was an equation derived by the twentieth-century physicist Albert Einstein in which E represents units of energy, M represents units of mass and C2 is the speed of light squared or multiplied by itself. Because the speed of light is a very large number and is multiplied by itself, this equation points out how a small amount of matter can release a huge amount of energy.  With that said, I wanted to re-design the formula to encompass the variables in a person's job search where a significant amount of energy or effort can produce a phenomenal end result.

Here is the Fundamental Job Search formula:  E = (M + N) (C + P)2

I was trying to show the attendees that everything in your job search is relative:  from the way you dress, to the way you present yourself, your body language and right down to the way you speak and answer questions.  All these variables and many more will become 'what others perceive of you' and potentially your ticket to your next opportunity.  Let's further define my theory.

E = EMPLOYMENT  

The ultimate goal that we all have is gainful and viable employment and there are many ways to seek a new position in the marketplace with some being more efficient than others.  More importantly, one needs to understand how these job search variables are relative to one another and how they can make you successful.  If you 'eliminate' one of these variable or efforts in your search, your process becomes less efficient and may be limiting to attaining positive results in a timely fashion. It becomes what they call a 'two legged stool'.

M = MARKETING

Before one can begin marketing, there has to be a product to market.  Ultimately,that product is YOU.  A lot of things come into play in the marketing of YOU in the job search.  One needs a resume, or sometimes referred to as a CV (curriculum vitae).  This document is a 30,000 foot view of YOU on paper stating your objectives, the summary or key highlights of your career, your work and volunteer history and your education to name a few things.  Other documents involved in the marketing of YOU, are a cover letter, a 'one pager' (a synopsis of your resume concentrating on what you would like to do, who you would like to work for and what titles you are looking to achieve in the marketplace with less of an emphasis placed on your work history), professional references, (usually 3 or more are required), your '60 second commercial' (sometimes referred to as your 'elevator speech') and your ability to communicate by 'answering questions' from an interviewer, HR professional or recruiter.  These questions could be asked of you in telephone screening or in face to face interviews.

The Social Media plays a phenomenal role in the marketing process.  Having access to the internet is almost a staple in today's society.  Without it, you will not have access to job portals like Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, Indeed.com or individual company websites to name just a few.  The internet has made the 'job search' process more efficient in the marketing of YOU. Years ago, people had to buy expensive bond paper to print resumes and send them to employers through the mail while the internet allows people to apply for many jobs at many different companies at many different locations in a matter of minutes.  Linkedin.com and Facebook have become Icons for job seekers as well as two of the worlds largest opportunities for personal presentation.  As of this morning, I have over 16,500 connections on Linkedin.  The more avenues that you can use for the marketing of YOU, the greater are your chances of success.  Also, 'who I know' may be able to help you in your marketing and networking.    

N = NETWORKING  

There are people who still believe that the world is flat.  But, I have news for them.  Not only is the world not flat it is round and it is also a very small place when you come right down to it. People know other people and that is the job of networking.  To find the right people, who may be in a position to hire you, you need to be ready to introduce yourself at a moments notice with your '60 second commercial' or 'elevator speech'.  Let's face it, you meet people that you know and people that you do not know everyday.  If you are not a typical networking or talkative person, you may need to learn rather quickly how to engage people at the supermarket, gas station, doctors office of other places that you go on a daily basis.  This is a key strategy.  Force yourself to do what you do not like to do.  Talk.  Open your mouth and spread the gospel of that you are looking for a new job.

Statistics show that 70% of the jobs achieved in the marketplace today are through networking. Networking is connecting with those who you know, those you don't know or who someone else may know.  It is not complicated.  I encourage you to join a career group where networking is a must.  I belong to many groups and I belong to one group called BENG (Business Executive Networking Group) and it is designed for this purpose.  If you are in the greater Philadelphia area, check them out on the web at thebeng.org and join a chapter and begin your networking journey. There are many other groups that have a similar structure and you need to attend and determine if that group meets your needs as a job seeker.  Some groups focus less on networking and more on telling you what you need for your job search.  It doesn't take long to realize that networking is what is needed to move forward.

Have you set job searching goals?

I have set goals for my job search and one that I have set is to attend at least 2 networking events per week. My question to you is:  What are you doing to market and network YOU or yourself to a new position?  Remember, taking one of these variables out of your job search equation will be detrimental to the success of your search.  Learn what others are doing in their job search, copy what they are doing for a period and then do you own thing.

How are you differentiating yourself?

C = CONTINUITY

You already know that marketing and networking are very important to a successful job search. But, it is also important to continue marketing and networking on a regular basis.  I have set a schedule and many goals for myself on a given week.  I have friends who are also searching for a job and they are busier that a 'one armed' paperhanger and their networking is starting to pay off.  One woman that I know has taken the concept of her job search and turned it into a new business.  Good for her in recognizing opportunity and taking on a little risk.

My goals?  On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I send out resumes in the morning and afternoon.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I spend a good part of each day following up with corporate HR reps and recruiters that I have sent resumes to as well as following up with the people that I have met networking from the previous week.  I also attend networking events at night.  So, I need to prepare a lot of resumes and one pagers in order to facilitate these meetings.  

Continuity, repetition and duplication of efforts are key and sticking to a schedule is paramount.

What is your schedule and what goals have you set for yourself?

P = Persistence

Persistence.  Never give up and stay focused.  It is very easy to fall into the doldrums of 'self pity' and allow frustration to run your life.  These feelings are common but they cannot be all consuming.  Remember that you need to be motivated for several reasons.  To provide for your family and to provide for yourself and to maintain your desire to be successful.  Continuity, persistence, marketing and networking go hand in hand.  You need to overcome your feelings of sitting before a TV and watching your favorite shows and persevere with your job search.

Working for hours on end can be draining especially when you are not getting feedback from the efforts you have put forth in finding a job.  Take a break and call someone that you would typically use for your support.  Vent, pass the time of day with someone, take a lunch and then get back to your job of finding a job.

Set goals for the day and for the week. Here are some important goals that I received in an e-mail yesterday that I felt were important in the 'persistence' category of the equation.

Set Ten Non Negotiable Goals for your Job Search

If you are not happy about the current results of your job search, take time to write down the specific goals you are attempting to achieve. It is powerful to write down goals and see them each day as you are conducting your search.

Write down TEN goals for your job search. After each goal write down three to five specific actions you will take in order to achieve each goal. Lastly, write down a specific date after each action item. Post these goals by your telephone so you stay focused on achieving all ten goals.

Here is an example:

GOAL #1 Increase number of resumes mailed directly to Hiring Authorities

Action Items:

1. Identify 15 new prospective employers/targets (Daily)
2. Identify the person who would be your bosses’ boss (Daily)
3. Send a minimum of ten resumes by snail mail.  Handwrite envelope and put “Personal and Confidential” on the envelope (Daily)
4. Create your follow up script showing employer the benefits they will realize if they consider hiring you (Daily)
5. Call three days after receipt of your resume to schedule an interview or informational interviews (Daily)

These particular goals took actions that must be completed on a daily basis. Other actions items should be scheduled for completion on specific dates. Make a commitment today to get these ten non-negotiable goals written in the next 24 hours.

Other obvious goals could include:

• Increase the number of interviews scheduled
• Increase the number of informational interviews
• Increase your professional network
• Contact your references with additional information and to obtain leads
• Improve your online reputation (Facebook, Linkedin Profile, Results of Google Search)
• Identify and Contact New Targets
• Specific target date to accept a job offer
• Revise your Resume, Cover Letter etc.
• Obtain interim employment (temp, contract, consulting, holiday employment)

Highlight goals as you achieve them which helps improve your overall attitude, self-esteem and daily motivation. Your attitude and expectations directly impact your search and achieving smaller action items will put new enthusiasm behind your search and will provide you will results. Post these goals where you can read them as you make your daily phone calls.

C2 = Mix it up.  

Do something different in your job search each day.  Make sure that you maximize the time that you spend and that you are not doing things that will cause you to be lazy.  Make a concerted effort to complete your goals.

There are jobs out there and unfortunately, there is also competition.  Find ways to 'differentiate' yourself in your marketing, your networking and your interviewing. This is also the World Series of your life and this is where professionals are doing what they have to do to get themselves before a hiring manager and achieving a job.

This is all about giving back and paying it forward.  I would like to see everyone achieving their goals by attaining their next opportunity.  The next time we talk either by the internet or by phone, tell me how your efforts are paying off.  Surround yourself with positive people and tell them how your efforts are making you more confident. Remember to be humble in your approach.

If you have not achieving success, or receiving phone calls from HR professionals or recruiters there has to be a reason.  This is the time when we have to sit down and begin the re-engineering of your job search.  If one approach is not working, then try another.  It is important.  Use me as a resource in your job search.

My best,

Steven B. Morris, Sr.

Hyde Park Search Strategies

smorris7912@gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/48morris