3 Things To Do BEFORE You Look at a Job Listing
As I thought about what the first post on the Search Better Blog should be, I considered starting with a story from my job search or maybe some profound tip I have for how to improve your job search. But after some time reflecting, this thought emerged--a better search begins with better preparation.
Reflective Preparation
Better preparation means taking time to reflect early and often throughout the job search. Early reflection in your job search can help you begin to build a solid and self-aware foundation that you can return to as you prepare your materials, complete interviews and decide which job is best for you. Your reflective foundation will also serve as the frame for the storytelling you do in your job search, but we will dig into that a bit more later.
The three things I share below offer the perfect place to start thinking about and planning your job search journey. If you happen to encounter this post at any other point in your job search--as you are preparing for your first interview or while you deliberate on a job you have been offered--you can still gain great insight from taking a moment to reflect on and address each prompt.
Now, grab a notebook and your favorite pen, your laptop or your phone and let’s begin.
1. Take an inventory of your current skills and experiences.
Grab your most updated version of your resume. Review the skills and experiences you have chosen to highlight there. After doing so, make a list of any others that are not included on your resume but that you would want to remember and share throughout your job search. If you are thinking that this list seems redundant because all of the important things are on your resume, I challenge you to pause and think again. Throughout your job search journey, you will likely tailor your resume to fit with the position you apply for. This means that you may add, remove or shift things on your resume. In this process, you may easily forget the full range of programs you have developed, initiatives you have implemented or conflicts you have resolved. Once you have your list, keep it somewhere that you can easily access and reference it. This will be a great tool for you moving forward.
2. Answer this question: What has prompted me to look for a new position right now?
There are many reasons why you may be embarking on your job search journey right now. Are you a graduate student nearing the end of your program? A new professional who is ready for elevated responsibilities? A seasoned professional seeking new challenges and opportunities for increased leadership? Or are you trying to exit a toxic work situation? Understanding the reasons you are job searching can help you to be more conscious of and intentional about the positions you pursue. This question is a root that should lead you to ask other questions of yourself as you clarify your vision for the job search. Let’s take for example a new professional trying to exit a toxic work environment. Some potential follow-up questions that you should try to answer might include:
What about my current work environment is negatively affecting my ability to thrive and be successful in my work? Be specific.
What does a supportive work environment look like for me?
What would be the signs, behaviors or other things that would signal to me that I have found the positive environment I am seeking?
What do I need in a supervisor or team environment to be successful?
These questions are just a few that you should be able to answer for yourself if in this situation.Your answers to these and other similar questions can help you to be more aware of what you observe throughout the search and interview process.Your mind may bring forth other questions as you reflect and write. Make note of them and take the time to address them one at a time.
3. Reflect on what you hope to gain from your next position.
It is often easy to articulate what we do not want with confidence. But if asked what we do want, we tend to be more timid and uncertain as we struggle to express our needs. Taking the time now to discover and communicate your desires and needs for your next position, will prepare you to actively pursue opportunities that meet your criteria. It will also help you to create or refine your list of non-negotiables--the things or people that you value and will not compromise on for a position. As you reflect, be specific.
Do you want to supervise a certain level of staff?
Do you want to manage or improve a type of program?
Do you want to add a specific experience to your portfolio?
You may find a position that fits perfectly with all your criteria. What is more likely though is that you will find a few jobs that meet some of your criteria or are close. Your ability to know and clearly communicate your criteria will allow you to be more focused in your search, more confident in interviews and more self-aware as you make decisions about what position to accept
Take your time and work through each of the 3 things and be specific. This is for you, so be honest with yourself in your responses. If you get stuck, take a break, invite a trusted mentor, supervisor or peer into the conversation to help you brainstorm and process.
You can also access more reflective preparation activities when you download the Search Better Workbook.
