If you’re finding frustration instead of job opportunities, it’s likely you’re not following a system that yields predictable results.
Without a proven system, your fate can become a mystery, dependent solely on the economy and the mood of others.
By implementing the following ten-step system, you will get in front of the right people and create an eagerness in them to want to help you and hire you.
This system is how Dewayne landed his dream job at NASA within just a few months, and it’s also how Deborah went from interviewing once in six months to starting her new job in just 30 days.
Step 1. Prepare Yourself For Success. You should be okay with changing some basic thinking. Imagine that you are the boss of your very own company and, accordingly, treat the job search you’re doing with the highest regard. Secondly, be proactive and challenge yourself to take action even if it’s uncomfortable.
Step 2. Get Rid of Excuses. Excuses guarantee your current circumstances will remain the same. Excuses are lies you tell yourself, such as I’m too old, too young, I don’t have the right education or background, no one is hiring, or I’m too busy. Make a choice right now – are you going to live by your excuses or the results you desire?
Step 3. Develop Your Target. Many job seekers are in a search for too long because they lack a focused target. They keep themselves “open” to all possibilities, and they tell others they’ll “go anywhere and do anything.” This only confuses people who may be able to help.
Write down and share what you want to do, including job title(s), industries, locations, and 50-100 target companies. Be clearly articulating what you want to do and where. People will be better equipped to help you with advice and contacts. and be sure to make your resume professional and outstanding. That’s key!
Step 4. Use Credible Research Tools. Dedicate research time to creating a list of your target companies. There are many tools available online – some of them are free, others are not (check with your public library for free, fee-based tools), some are credible while others are not, so choose wisely.
A few well-respected sites are www.hoovers.com, www.referenceusa.com, and the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. It’s also in your best interest to conduct further research to determine if a company is culturally a good fit for you by talking with several current employees who have longevity and a great history of success with the company.
Step 5. Get Exposure. Proactively prospect for new job opportunities by finding people who are already doing what you want to do. What you put into getting exposure is what you’ll get out of your job search, so if you only contact one person a day, don’t expect fast results.
Learn how recruiting and employment agencies operate and work towards making initial contact with up to 50 to 100 people a week to set up meetings and schedule 3-5 networking meetings per week. You can easily find targeted people on LinkedIn using key search words or through a local chapter of a professional association in your field of interest.
Step 6. Approach Others by Focusing On Their Needs. Be open to changing how you interact with people, no matter how good you already are or how afraid you are talking to people.
Your job search will change overnight by understanding that all people universally have a craving to feel important and special and that other people care about them. Check out also this post with lots of great tips about how to find a good job. You’ll be surprised by some simple but highly effective methods!
Step 7. Build Friendships and Trust. Focus on genuinely making others feel that you care about them by identifying their core motivations, goals, and needs and helping them get what they want. Genuinely compliment others, tell them how they inspire you, find something in common, and ask them questions to get them talking about themselves.
This is the only way to impress others and stand out from the competition as you become very interesting and build trust when you become interested in others. In today’s marketplace, most decision-makers buy from and hire people they like, know, and trust.
Step 8. Ask Open-Ended Questions with the goal of uncovering other peoples’ interests, motivations, desires, and needs and dig deeper with follow-up questions such as “Tell me more about that,” “What do you like about your job,” and “Be open and honest with me. What have you not yet accomplished that you wish you have”, for example? Is it perhaps time to refocus?
Listen carefully for their deepest motivations and desires and look for ways to connect (Me Too’s). If you lead with what matters to you, there’s a big chance they won’t be interested. You have a 100% chance they will be interested in themselves to go with a sure thing. Just ask them questions, and they’ll be totally interested in you. Choosing a career path this fits you in the long run as well is crucial to your future well-being.
Step 9. Exhibit Posture When It’s Turn to Ask for What You Want
Come from a place of empowerment instead of desperation by saying something like, “I am interviewing several companies because I want to find an organization that is a good fit where I can have a long-term relationship.
I’m looking for a company that is serious about _____________ (share what’s important to you). Do you work for a company like that?”
Step 10. Have a Definite Close. To get someone you’re meeting with to sell themselves on you, ask them one simple question – “What resonated with you about what you heard today/our conversation today?”
Also, repeat back to them in their own words what you heard their needs and goals are. They will feel you really care and understand them. And lastly, have a call to action that leads them to your desired next steps, and remember to focus on helping others get what they want.