INSIDE THE

THANKFUL – Wait, What, In a Job Search?

Job search is generally not something people enjoy. The work needed is difficult, time-consuming, and detailed. The process is full of bad design, lousy job ads, and is more messy than useful. And some days it all feels like a crapshoot.

What could one possibly be thankful for?

First, you really are in control. In our work lives, that is not as common as we might prefer. But in job search, you are the one who selects the jobs you want, does the work to understand them, and demonstrates your value as a great candidate. You may choose to continue your current linear pattern or move across positions in the same field or enter a new field. This can be a scary choice, but if you are reading this, it’s likely that you do have options available.

Second, now is the time that you learn who your real friends are. These are the people you know who may be helpful in your preparation, who support you on the bad days, and so on. They are the past bosses you can ask and trust to be excellent references. Peers who remind you of past achievements and strengths. Family and others who help improve your marketing materials. Those who refer you to other people of interest. And friends who take you out for ice cream or coffee on a bad day. Remember to thank them all periodically.

If you are smart and active, you will meet some great new people on your way forward. There are a lot of people out there who are willing to help – whether you meet them as referrals through people you already know, connect with them on social media, or discover them in your community as useful resources. Reach out and connect. Ask good questions. Say thank you periodically or send an article of interest. Never waste a contact by being afraid to ask questions or by forgetting to learn about them too. Offer ideas or information in return. These people all translate into your ‘network’ and a solid network is a real investment in your future success. Don’t forget to thank them along your journey and keep in touch with them once you get the new job.

Anyone who has ever helped someone with their job search will tell you that people who never follow-up, want to connect, or ask a question/respond are way too common. A professional I know says she could be a multi-millionaire if she got a dollar for each of those. I bet if you are mid-career or up, you already know people who only turn up when they are in job search mode – we all see that.

Third, there are so many free and inexpensive ways to learn new skills and technologies. You now have far more control over your career. Skip that MBA and look at the many online courses available – from famous universities to tech schools and LinkedIn Learning, from hackathons to local professional groups, and a zillion more. If the jobs that interest you require knowledge or skills that you do not have or you’re pretty rusty, you can find a way to learn that meets your needs and time-frame.

You will also meet some excellent recruiters and hiring managers. Remember to say thanks to them and ask to keep in touch or connect on social media, even if the opportunity they had is not a match or you do not get the job. Get these people into your network! They may have future job opportunities for you and can be great sources of information.

Remember to also take a little time to care for yourself in whatever way makes you feel best. Have a cup of coffee with a friend and don’t discuss your job search. Read a good book that is not about your work or job search. Give yourself permission to enjoy yourself.

Job search is tough. Remembering to be thankful, in this season of Thanksgiving and in every other time, will help you keep moving forward effectively.

We thank you for your interest in ClearedJobs.net and hope you will continue to find our services useful across your career!

Patra Frame is ClearedJobs.Net’s HR Management Consultant. She is an experienced human resources executive and founder of Strategies for Human Resources. Patra is an Air Force veteran and charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Follow Patra on Twitter @2Patra.