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#JobSearch : 5 Job Search Situations Where Networking Is Not The Best Next Step. Networking is Helpful Only When You are Prepared.

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Networking is so helpful to a job search that one might assume it’s the right next step in all situations. However, this is not the case, and trying to get a networking meeting rather than taking another, more appropriate action can even hurt your job search. Every impression counts. The questions you ask, the help you ask for and the information that you don’t know all make an impression during your networking.

Here are five job search situations where networking is not the best next step – and what to do instead:

1 – You have no idea what you want

Sure, it’s helpful to talk to things out with other people, and that’s true for getting ideas for your career. However, when you approach people as someone who doesn’t know what they want, you appear undecided (commitment issue?), unsure (confidence problem?) or unprepared (laziness?). The other person might be willing to brainstorm with you, but they also might feel like it’s too big a question to solve. How would they know what you should do with your life?

Don’t network about anything too general. Have at least some idea of potential career moves, and use the meeting to test these specific ideas. Do research in advance about what your target careers would entail, and tailor your questions to how the other person can specifically help you. For example, if you are looking to switch industries and have narrowed down your possibilities to media and tech, reserve the media questions for your media connections and the tech questions for your tech connections. This way, you appear focused, prepared and respectful of their time.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2 – The questions you have can be answered by basic research

I once heard from a graduate of my alma mater, who wanted to talk about her career change into management consulting. At the time, I had just pivoted my own career from management consulting to executive search but with a management consulting focus, so it made sense that this person would want to speak with me. Since we had so much in common – same school, both career changers – I readily agreed. (Pointing out common affinities is an effective way to land networking meetings!) However, her opening question for me was to name the top companies in the field.

Don’t ask questions that can be answered by basic research. Do that research in advance, and use the networking meetings to verify the information or get nuanced information. For example, had this alum let me know what she was seeing as the top competitors mentioned in the field and then asked if I agreed or asked if I would name different companies based on her interest in a specific sub-area, then I would have seen her as someone who had put in some work and was going the extra step. Instead, I felt used that she wanted to shortcut her research and just ask for the answers.

3 – The contact who offers to refer you to HR doesn’t know you well

It is always helpful to get someone inside the company to pass on your resume for a job opening. However, it is less helpful when the person referring you doesn’t know you at all. Therefore, if you have a networking meeting with someone at a company where there is an open job that you want, but you do not know that person well, I would not ask that person to submit your resume. If they offer to submit it, I would thank them profusely and I would possibly let them submit it later, but first I would ask for information (here are eight better things to ask for than a generic introduction to HR).

When a networking contact doesn’t know you well, any referral they make on your behalf isn’t going to be that strong. At best, it will be something like, “I have never worked with this person but we have a mutual friend who knows great people so this person must be great.” Maybe, but now the recruiter or hiring manager has to believe that you’re such a good judge of people that you have vetted that your friend can vet their friends – that’s a long chain of trust. It may make the company give you a second glance, but if the hiring team has any doubts, your tenuous networking contact won’t be able to advocate for you and probably won’t want to put themselves on the line. They may even have offered to submit your resume just to cut the meeting short and will be a lukewarm advocate at best.

4 – You reach a recruiter who doesn’t hire for what you want

Yes, recruiters are great networking connections to have and not just for your immediate job search. Experienced recruiters have knowledge of their market, a broad perspective on career issues and a wide network. Recruiters are definitely on the top 10 list of people you should have in your network.

However, many recruiters specialize in a specific industry or function, and if you are outside that area, then a recruiter’s knowledge, feedback and network will be less relevant to you. If a recruiter is internal to a company, they will be most relevant about jobs specific to that company, and your networking efforts should be focused on multiple companies. Too many job seekers make reaching recruiters, any recruiters, a top priority. It’s best to focus on hiring managers, who are the ultimate decision-makers, or recruiters in your target area. To reach these people, you need to have a background that clearly shows your value to them. If your resume, LinkedIn profile and responses to commonly asked questions don’t yet make that value crystal-clear, focus on these supporting tools first before you squander a networking meeting.

5 – You reach a recruiter who hires for what you want – but you’re a career changer

If you are a career changer, recruiters are not helpful, even if they specialize in the area you want. I say that as a recruiter and a multiple-time career changer – I would never hire myself! A recruiter’s job is to filter people out, not make an exception, and a career changer is always the exception. If you are a career changer and you have existing recruiter relationships from your former career, these recruiters may be even less helpful if they try to convince you to stay where you are (after all, that’s where they can place you).

It’s always more effective to network with a hiring manager than with a recruiter, and for career changers this is even more important because it’s the hiring manager that can make an exception. However, networking whether it’s with the recruiter or the hiring manager is not the best move for a career changer, until you have something to talk about in your new career. If you don’t have knowledge of your new area and some demonstrated results (it can be from volunteer work or consulting, not just another job), then talking to people, especially influential people like hiring managers and recruiters, is premature.

Networking is helpful only when you are prepared

I certainly don’t want to discourage networking as part of your job search. People hire people, so it is critical that you connect with people and not just submit your resume to faceless job postings. That said, you want to make the right impression when you network. You want to appear focused, knowledgeable and prepared. The person you’re networking with can refer you to be hired, if not hire you outright. You don’t want to squander that opportunity for your job search.

 

Author:   Caroline Ceniza-Levine

Join my Land A Job You Love coaching group, starting on August 5. Details and sign up at SixFigureStart.com/ Group-Coaching. Get custom feedback on your job search based

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Forbes.com –  July 26, 2020

#JobSearch : How to Create an Effective Job Search Plan. The Landscape of Job Searching has Changed Drastically Over the Years.

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Not too many people truly enjoy the time they spend searching for a new job. While working with an executive resume writer can be an enjoyable and pleasant experience, it’s not the first place executives want to be at any given day. Sometimes you can’t control how long it takes an employer to hire a candidate, but you can take some steps to use your time more wisely and shorten the search process.

Here are a few effective time management tips to consider when job searching.

Know Exactly What You Want

Think about your past experience, what value you bring to the table, and what you actually want to do. There may be some aspects that are non-negotiable, so be sure to identify those in your thought process. Just remember to be realistic in this regard so you don’t eliminate yourself from too many potential jobs. Once you know exactly what you want out of a job, you can start writing an effective resume geared toward it.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Be Realistic When Setting Goals

If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, it’s usually unrealistic to think you can spend eight hours per day on a job search. Burnout is just as real with a job search as it is with jobs themselves, so consider designating a couple of hours each day to work hard at it. This can involve visiting a professional resume writing service, networking, tweaking your social media profiles, and more. Setting realistic goals will help you prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Network

Many job openings are filled through networking rather than through traditional channels. Your time can be spent wisely by attending and actively participating in networking events. You never know whom you might meet at these events, so always be sure to bring your best. And it’s wise to also ask an executive resume writer to take a look at your resume to ensure it’s polished and ready to go.

Get Professional Advice with Your Resume

You don’t want to waste any time sending out resumes with mistakes on them. You could essentially be spinning your wheels with your job search and not even know it. Get ahead of any potential issues by working with a professional resume writing service upfront. They can help identify and fix any problems on your resume and modernize it for today’s job searching landscape to make your time be spent more efficiently.

The landscape of job searching has changed drastically over the years. The days of looking in newspapers or job boards are gone, especially for executive level positions. You need to have a game plan in place and work your plan to achieve your ultimate goal.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog –  July 27, 2020

#JobSearch :How To Virtually Network In The Midst Of A Global Pandemic. So How Should you Go about Networking in this Increasingly Uncertain and Stressful Time?

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With the arrival of Covid-19, mid-day coffees, after-work drinks, working lunches and dinners have all been suspended. Our networking options have moved almost entirely online, which makes establishing and maintaining a personal connection all the more challenging.

So how should you go about networking in this increasingly uncertain and stressful time? Below are a tips on how to network virtually:

Determine Your Goals

Are you trying to strengthen your relationships with your colleagues? Make more connections in your field? Find certain opportunities, perhaps getting a board position or more speaking engagements? Consider what you want from your professional relationships and connections, and think about who you know who could advise you on it or put you in touch with someone who can. But give your networking intention, otherwise you’re aimlessly contacting people with no goal in mind, which is a waste of your time and your desired contact’s time.

Start With People You Know

Think about your colleagues, friends, family, and who can help you achieve your goal or put you in touch with someone who can. Networking doesn’t have to mean going to contrived events with name tags and strangers, it can simply mean making friends in your field and maintaining those friendships, and keeping a good relationship with family members in your field. It’s always smart to consult your alma mater’s career center and see if there are any active alumni in your field who would be happy to speak with you. These are all resources that are waiting to be tapped, use them.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Regularly Schedule Zoom Meetings

Talking to people face to face always helps enhance the connection. Check-in with friends, family and colleagues the way you would in person, but over Zoom. It is not the same, but everyone is navigating Covid-19 the best they can, and keeping up a social routine is important, so make sure and maintain a robust, virtual social calendar in spite of occasional awkwardness and tension of getting accustomed to a new routine.

Engage People On Social Media

Keep up a modest to active presence on social media: post interesting articles, a funny video now and then, keep in casual online contact with friends and family on the social media platform of your choice. It is an easy and enjoyable vehicle to get to know people, to get in touch with people, send private messages to ask how people are doing, send them articles you believe they would find interesting. It is an easy, organic way to keep in touch and strike up spontaneous conversations.

Update Your LinkedIn

Updating your LinkedIn notifies everyone in your network you’ve updated your profile, inviting current connections and potential employers to read your updates, including what you’re searching for professionally. So make sure to clearly articulate what you are looking for and don’t wait for others to reach out, scroll through your online contacts there to see if there is someone you should get in touch with that you didn’t think of immediately.

Author:  Frances Bridges

I’m a twentysomething freelance journalist, writer and blogger in New York City. I write about everything I’ve done wrong as a twentysomething woman here in the trenches.

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Forbes.com | July 15, 2020

#JobSearch : Don’t Let The Summer Slowdown Stop Your Job Search—Start Being Aggressive. MUst REad!

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Traditionally, the Fourth of July holiday weekend has always been considered the start of vacation season. People would bolt out of the office early Friday afternoon or take three-day weekends at the beach. As July turned into August, folks would take their two weeks off. The interviewing and hiring process would slowly grind to a halt. By mid-to-late August, even during the hottest job markets, it would be tough—nearly impossible—to get anything accomplished. The hiring manager would be out of the office on vacation and, when she’d return, the human resources person would be gone. Then, the job seeker would leave for his family’s annual summer trip.

This routine was pre-Covid-19, but could quickly change. Many workers fall back upon business-as-usual and presume that interviewing over the summertime is a futile pursuit. Instead of assuming that the expected interviewing path will similarly happen this year, try to think differently. 

What are the odds that a large percentage of human resources professionals, hiring managers and others involved with the hiring process will take extended—or any—vacations this summer? With the sudden alarming spike in thousands of new Covid-19 cases, how many people will be eager to board an airplane, rent a car, stay in a strange hotel room and go to a place that may be packed with non-mask wearers? It’s more likely that people will continue to stay at home. If they do travel, it will be short car trips.

With this is mind, forget all about how it used to be. Most people will blindly follow the old path and discontinue their job search out of habit. They’ll say to themselves that nothing’s going to happen, as everyone will be away until September. In light of the unrelenting series of bad news and events brought about in 2020, a majority of job seekers may pause their search and hope that things will turn around once the summer is over.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

You have the unique opportunity to stand out and get noticed, as people absentmindedly pull out of their job searches. With less competition, take this opportunity to step up your interviewing game. As people take themselves out of the job market, your chances improve.

To be fair, it won’t be easy. With 47 million Americans filing for unemployment since the start of the pandemic, major iconic companies (such as J.C. Penney and Hertz) filing for bankruptcy protection and massive layoffs continuing unabated, you’ll be swimming against the tide. You’ll need to be strong, resilient and persistent. Keep moving forward in the face of adversity. Dig down deep inside of yourself to find the inner grit and mental toughness to overcome all of the obstacles in your path—and there will be a lot of them.

Don’t take it personally when there’s no feedback and calls and emails go unreturned. It’s not just you; this is happening to everyone. Accept the reality that things are tough and embrace the fact that you must be strong and determined to succeed.

There will be bouts of self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, discouragement, embarrassment and petty humiliations. We’re all going through this together. Many people get so dejected that they lose hope. That’s not a viable option, as the waves of rejection could pull you even downward.  To succeed, you have to clearly set your sites on the goal and persevere, despite the challenges. It won’t be a walk on the beach, but if you don’t take assertive actions, nothing will ever change.

Claire Spence, a recruiting veteran and executive partner with Texas-based search firm Joseph Chris Partners Executive Search, tells her clients, “Now is not the time to give up or to stop looking.” She advises candidates that it’s important to aggressively search for a new job. Spence points out that—even though it’s not fair—in previous downturns, hiring managers questioned long gaps between employment. “During the long recession we had during the last administration, candidates that ‘waited’ to interview or seek other opportunities were seen by companies as not willing. We saw so many companies say, ‘Well, why didn’t he or she work for a year?’” Spence reiterated, “Do nothing and miss a great opportunity or wait because you have plenty of severance. It comes back to bite you in the long run.” Therefore, it’s smart to act now.

Mark Anthony Dyson, the founder of the Voice of Job Seekers blog and podcast shared proactive job search strategies. Dyson suggests that job seekers should politely request “informational interviews” and make this a staple in your job search strategies. Regarding the actual meetings, “It’s about having business conversations, taking your networking efforts higher.” He points out a potential problem, “Please don’t treat it as your chance to interrogate people about their careers. You’re asking for valuable information, not for a job. Create a space for making your connections and those conversations as comfortable as possible. You want them to be as frank and as candid—not only show them their thoughts are valuable to you, but you’re willing to be responsive.”

Dyson says, “The job search is more effective as proactive than reactive. It’s best as a lifestyle than doing it as needed. At a minimum, networking and professional development can continue with just a mobile phone.” He adds, “Take full control of your job search, by targeting companies you’ve been watching for awhile. Question everything you possibly can about the industry’s stability—if it’s affected by COVID. Talk to many people and understand how your current skills will be useful.”

Dyson also appreciates the mental and emotional impact of being in between jobs and the search process. He recognizes, “Stress and anxiety can stifle your mindset, so don’t store your hope or be tied to one industry, company or job. See if your insurance covers mental health, or if the job provides some care for mental health.”

Author:  Jack Kelly – I am a CEO, founder, and executive recruiter at one of the oldest and largest global search firms in my area of expertise, and have personally placed thousands of

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Forbes.com | July 6, 2020

#JobSearch : The COVID Effect on the Job Market. A MUst REad for All!

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As I write this blog article, the United States economy just moved past the 80th calendar day since the international pandemic (Corona-Virus 19) in which the quarantine sent everyone scurrying behind locked doors and face masks.  Companies who relied mostly on technology were mostly insulated from business losses during the quarantine.  Other companies moved to ‘curb-side’ service, online meetings (using Zoom, Adobe, and Google meeting cloud platforms).

Some businesses (online shopping, health care, e-commerce) were able to still perform ‘as usual’ – especially if already providing services and products ‘virtually’ (employees moved from offices to homes to work via telecom technology.  Those companies most impacted, e.g., non-essential retail, restaurants, hotels, travel, and entertainment are still struggling and many are facing bankruptcy.

What does this mean for workers or those looking for new jobs and careers?

1- Job seekers will have more competition for the job they would normally have been a ‘shoo-in’ pre-pandemic; in this economy, it’s now an employer’s market for hiring. Expect to be rejected more often as an applicant.  The company may have a hiring freeze or slow-down, but there also may be jobs not advertised.  Keep on posting your resume into the ATS on the recruiting system for the company(ies) you are targeting.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

 

2- Sharpen or add technology skills on the career resume for the job search. If you have the skill sets that enable to you to work from any location – job site, in the field, or from home, this will showcase your adaptability.  Have you worked from home during the quarantine? Are you able to adjust to a personal work schedule and reliability? Mention that in your resume to showcase capabilities.  Jobs ‘on-site’ in the past may be virtual go forward.

3- Job seekers need to update and ensure their computer has with telecom capabilities – camera, speakers, and access to Internet for online meetings; and it’s important to realize the vital need for updating one’s resume and LinkedIn profile for recruiters to more easily find you online. Test your meeting software and equipment with friends and family member (virtual dinner party, anyone?).

4- Review the field or industry – you may need to move to new careers. Job seekers need to target industries for ‘core business industries’ e.g., advertising, tech, delivery companies [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][packages, food], tax assistance, video communications, instruction and teaching platforms [e.g., universities, colleges, tutoring], essential businesses [pharmacies], healthcare services, and/or cleaning and sanitation [janitorial]. The companies to avoid targeting for job searches are those related to travel – hotels, airlines, sports, and automotive. My husband takes Viagra for a couple of years now. I always wondered if it could help me become better in bed, so I decided to take a pill. Well, I can’t say that I felt anything different, but the sensations during intercourse were definitely better. I suppose it was due to better lubrication, which, I suppose, was the result of my experiment.

5- Refresh your resume on the big boards (e.g., Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed) – the older resumes float to the bottom of the resume pool; even if you add a dot or space, those ATS platforms categorize the resume as a ‘new’ (refreshed) resume.

6- Be prepared for ‘more’ online virtual meetings, interviews, and panel discussions (hiring committees) versus driving to the location for the meeting (this is good – saves gas, and you can wear a nice shirt and jacket over your pajama bottoms).

7- Be prepared to do more email and online networking – the face-to-face networking is ‘out’ with social distancing in place (likely for the next 6-18 months). Do continue to make phone calls to friend, peers, past co-workers and bosses to let them know you are available for work. Who do they know is looking to hire?

8- Recruiters won’t be able to rely on ‘body language’ in virtual interviews, so it’s important for job candidates to look sharp, act like they are paying attention during the online cloud meetings, and to ensure the dog or cat won’t interrupt the meeting. The interview candidate may have to project more to demonstrate a positive attitude and don’t forget to clean up the area behind your computer to look like a more professional work environment.

9- In the past, recruiters may have been able to make a job offer and have a candidate in the seat in two weeks. The pandemic has slowed the process down to ‘whenever it is safe to physically come to work.’ Expect delays in the hiring process – some college grads who were extended job offers aren’t able to work for their new employers until as late as July or August while the company struggles to determine health and safety protocols. There will be a slow-down in the decision-making.  Companies may take a while before business picks up again to justify the hire and bringing the candidate onboard with a start date.

10- Job seekers who have lost their jobs need to be aware the extended benefits from the Payroll Protection Act are for a small and finite period. If your employer laid you off and you refuse to come back to work – you will lose your unemployment benefits.  Even if you get paid more in the PPA, it is vital for you to get back to work so you have a job after the benefits run out.

11- Do not lose hope. If you have a ‘side’ job, you may need ramp up the sales and services to bridge the financial gap between the last job and the new post-Covid career move.

 

FSC Career Author: Ms.Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., is a FSC Career Coach & owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, and publishing (print-on-demand) consulting. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

 

FSC Career Blog |  June 12, 2020

 

Bio: Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., has been an entrepreneur and business owner for 20+ years, with a successful business and consulting firm (CEO) in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond, VA.  Her background experience is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. She is the author of 812+ books on the topics of business, human resources research, career search practice, women and gender study, genealogy and family lineages, quotes for motivation and self-improvement, and Adult Coloring Books.  Her books can be found on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#JobSearch : Four (4) Job-Search Hacks For When The Job Market Opens Up. Must REAd!

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We’ve just passed Memorial Day weekend. Some states have started reopening, while others are beginning to focus on gradually easing up on restrictions. Before you know it, we’ll be close to some getting back to business.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

With a ray of hope on the horizon, here are four things you can do right now to plant the seeds for future success.

1. You need to get yourself into the right mindset.

This job market is and will continue to be different than others in the past. The simple act of asking someone to grab a cup of coffee or some lunch, which we’ve always taken for granted, is not even possible in certain cities.

Companies, understandably leery of what’s going to happen next, will naturally err on the side of caution and hold off on hiring or enact hiring freezes, as it’s the path of least resistance. They’ll maintain that it’s more prudent to take a wait-and-see approach before attempting to bring aboard someone new. Management will consider the likelihood of future layoffs and deem it inappropriate and unfair to both the company and job seeker. They wouldn’t want to be put in the position of hiring a person today only to let them go in a few months—if things don’t turn around for the better.

With this in mind, it’s easy to get discouraged. You have to change the way you view your search. Instead of interpreting it as a sprint, think of your job search as a marathon. It may take many months or longer to find a new job. Tune out the well-intentioned advice of friends and family who share their own antiquated, job-search anecdotes that took place pre-Covid-19, as they won’t be relevant to today’s environment.

Think of everything you do now as planting the seeds for the future. Don’t worry if you aren’t receiving feedback. The people at the company you’re applying to have no clue of what’s going on and what direction their company will head into next. The harsh truth is that they are worried about their own jobs and future.

Continue doing everything you need to, such as submitting résumés to jobs that you desire, networking, interacting on LinkedIn, making tailored versions of your résumé specifically for each job and other measures. While doing this, understand that you may not hear anything back. That’s okay, as the goal is to do everything you can to get noticed. So, when things improve, you’ve been in front of a large number of people and then you’ll gain momentum.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2. Write down a list of the five or more companies that you’d like to work with.

Then, look on LinkedIn to find out who are the hiring managers and human resources professionals responsible for these desired positions. You can also conduct Google searches too.

Once you find that right person who looks like they are a decision maker, send them a bespoke invitation. Let them know that you’re very interested in working at the company and would appreciate the chance to have a conversation. It might make sense to buy a premium LinkedIn account; you can send Inmails, which affords the opportunity to write a longer, more in-depth message.

Once you’re connected, like and comment on the person’s posts. Start writing original content yourself. By offering smart commentary relative to your field, you will come across as a thought leader and a person who takes their job seriously. You’ll draw positive attention from the people you’re connected with. They’ll remember and think of you when an appropriate job opens up.

3. Start connecting with former co-workers or current colleagues (if you’re still employed), managers, college alumni, business associates and anyone else you can think of who may be able to help with your job search and career development. 

This takes a little chutzpah. Reach out to the people you have connected with and invite them for a virtual cup of coffee via a Zoom video or traditional phone call. Since most people are bored out of their minds from being home over the last two months or so, they’re likely to say “yes,” as they are looking for something to break up the monotony.

This will be a numbers game. If you contact 10 people, maybe two or three will say “yes.” There’s no need to get discouraged about the ones who say, “Thanks, but I can’t.”  People are wrestling with serious issues during the pandemic. They may want to help, but have enough on their plate already. Keep contacting folks, as there will always be people who are happy to help.

On the call, keep it positive and light. Invariably, the conversation will veer toward what you’re up to. Tell them the truth that you’ve lost your job or are worried about your role or whatever the  circumstances may be. Most people will then offer some assistance. They’ll probe as to what you do next and think of some people for you to connect with.

If you do this with a large number of people, it becomes a numbers game. The greater amount of people you contact, the more you increase the odds of positive responses. This tactic will help expand your network.

4. Just sending résumés and applications won’t work by itself.

Continue searching for relevant jobs and submitting résumés. However, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. As 40 million people are out of work, there will be intense competition. You’ll just be another résumé, unfortunately.

The trick is to find two or three people who work at the company. They could be someone you know or are sort of acquainted with. Feel free to find someone who knows someone who knows someone and leverage that contact.

Ask the person to put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. This way you immediately become a known, recommended human being and not just another name on a résumé. If you can find a second or third person, that’s awesome. Imagine how impressed a hiring manager or human resources professional would be when they learn that two or three internal employees highly recommend you for a role.

Bonus tip

It’s easy to find yourself frustrated, anxious and worried. We’re all going through these feelings. The challenge is to push back on the negativity. If you wear your emotions on your sleeve, the interviewers will notice and be turned off to your downcast demeanor. You must find ways to work on your presentation to recalibrate yourself, so that you feel positive, upbeat and motivated. If you can’t do this, then try channeling your inner-actor abilities and play the part of the motivated, excited, successful person that they want to hire.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

 

Forbes.com | May 29, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#YourCareer : Career Path isn’t Headed Exactly How you Planned It? Tips to Help you Out.

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We all have points throughout our career where we stall out, hit a major bump, or things become stale. This happens due to becoming too comfortable in your current position, an economic or global crisis, or simply not knowing what direction you want to go. Using your

LinkedIn profile for networking purposes can help you find some direction and potentially lead to other opportunities. Though it is natural to stall out in your career, it’s also possible, and necessary, to move forward when you’re ready.

If you know you’re ready to advance your executive career, but can’t seem to find a spark to get you going, we’ve got some tips to help you out. 

Let Career Detours Be Inspirational

If your career path isn’t headed exactly how you planned it to, don’t get discouraged. Everyone will have detours in their career. Instead of looking at those detours negatively, view them as inspirational and work harder to get back on track. Revisit your executive resume biography as a reminder of where you are now and where you want to be in the future. When your path changes, look for ways to grow from it and make any adjustments you deem necessary.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Always Look for Ways to Grow

One of the biggest sparks executives experience in their career is learning a new skill. Being able to add a new skill to your executive resume biography is motivating, so consider taking an advanced course or work on projects of your own in your free time. Now is the perfect time to take an online class or update that certification. The top resume writing services encourage people to step out of their comfort zone occasionally because it will lead to growth no matter what. Learning experiences are valuable for career growth, but you won’t experience any of them if you don’t take the first step forward.

 

Network with Like-Minded Experts

Networking can lead to many different opportunities and can be a big spark for your career. Simply talking with like-minded experts can give you new ideas on how to approach your career or certain projects to help you move forward. Be sure to have your LinkedIn profile updated, though, since you’ll likely want to reconnect with people you’ve met through the platform.

There are many reasons careers get stuck. If yours is, take the time to figure out why it’s stalled and where you want it to be in the future. Then set a plan of action to get there.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

                                                               FSC Career Blog |  May 22, 2020

#JobSearch : Career Change Guide – How to Get Unstuck, Create a Vision of the Career You Really Want and Land Your Dream Job

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Are you tired of waking up each day dreading going into work? Tired of staring into your lunch each day, wondering if there’s a better job for you?

If so, this article is for you. It’s also a general guide to help you navigate the career change process. Read the entire thing or the section that interests you the most.

This article has the following sections:

  • Getting unstuck
  • Vision Statement Story
  • Networking
  • Resume – What story is it telling the reader?
  • Cover Letter
  • LinkedIn
  • Interview
  • Negotiation

Getting Unstuck

Getting unstuck and clear where you want to take your career

Many times in our career, our lives can get the best of us, and fear can hold us back. We get locked in our heads and fear restrains us from even making a move. It can feel like, if you do this, then that thing will happen. But, if I make this move, then I can’t do that over there. It feels like you’re stuck with no way out.

I’ve felt like that too and navigated my way to doing work I love. Like looking at a map, you need to know where you’re at first before you can make a move.

The Step to getting unstuck.

Do you know where you want to go? If you don’t, that’s okay. That’s fine, and many people hit points in their life where they don’t. Yet, most people know where they DON’T want to go and that’s where you should start.

Write about why you want to leave your current job. Next, step back and review that. Sometimes we need to vent a little to work out our current frustrations. Is it the job duties you don’t like? Is it the people? Can you not do the work any longer? Does it not pay enough? Get clear on that.

Then, from that new knowledge, you’ll be able to point yourself in the direction you want to go. A job you will be happier in and the beginnings of the new path.

For example. You’ve determined it’s the people, but you enjoy what you do. Then you should focus on the same type of work but in a new setting. If the people are fine, but the work itself is the issue, then it’s time to see what other interests you have. If it’s money, then it’s time to ask for a raise or look at other companies. It’s also time to review your finances too. If it is the skill and you’re tired of doing it, then it’s possible you’re ready to teach or mentor people. That’s a natural progression for someone who has mastered a skill.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Vision Statement Story

Now that you have a direction, let’s create your goal/vision of the new job. Answer the following questions and they will be used to guide you in creating a vision statement. Answer these questions as if you had a magic wand and could make the perfect job for you. If you don’t know it’s okay to leave blank as this process will help uncover those hidden areas. If you’re stuck, skip that question and move to the next one.

Questions and examples from my career.

Who do you serve or help in your new role? (Example: people stuck in their careers)

What pain or problem do you solve for people? (Example: Can’t find work they want to do)

How is their life better because of your contribution at work? (Example: People wake up happier getting to do what they want.)

How do you feel about this new role? (Example: I feel like I am contributing to people’s lives and feel great about that.)

What industry is your new job in? (Example: Career and Employment Industry)

What kind of company is it? (Example: Small Team environment with a passion for helping others succeed. A service-first mentality )

What’s the culture like? (Example: Having fun while being of service to others. The team collaborates and has a culture of trust.)

Do you work with people all day or by yourself? (Example: Most of the time by myself, but with the help of other teammates)

Are you inside or outside? (Example: Inside)

Is it an active role or behind a desk? (Example: Behind the computer)

How much money are you making?

Now you have a better picture of your goal you can create the outcome you want to have in your life. Let’s create the vision statement story you’ll be working towards.

Now, let’s create your vision statement. You’re going to create it in a different way than most goals. You will create it as if it’s already happened. For example. You’re telling a friend what happened over dinner about a month after you landed the job. Describe it, but from the point of view as if you’ve already got the job. Doing it this way will help your brain work in the background on your goal.

Vision Statement Story Example

Robert, let me tell you about the new job and how I got it. I remember getting clear on the career I wanted and decided to be a career coach. I chose to be a career coach in the employment industry because I love helping others do what’s important to them. I realized I feel great doing this work. The team I work with is awesome, and it’s a small company. In fact, the company has a great fun culture and I get to work by myself, but love the support of the team. I am getting paid more than I was at my last job and the benefits are great too. I’ve been there for a little over a month now and each day feels great. I love who I get to be.

This is your vision and goal! Tell this story to yourself every day in your job search.

Networking

You’ve got your vision and the next step is networking to help you land that job. Do you already have a network?

Even if you do, let’s create a network strategy. Answer these questions.

Where would the hiring managers hang out?

Where would the company hang out?

What events would they go to?

What meetup.com events could they be?

Is the job industry your interested in having a career fair in your area?

Where would they hang out online? LinkedIn Groups, Quora.com conversations, forums, etc.…

Once you’ve discovered a few places where they hang out go to those events and meet people. Before you go write an intention of why you’re going and be clear about it as you walk into the event. Be curious about them and show you’ve researched them. Be helpful and knowledgeable.

Then, ask the contacts you made if you could have coffee sometime. Use that time to build a relationship with them. Get to know them and share your story with them. Share why you’re creating a new job.

Reach out to your network and share your vision with friends, family, and past work colleagues.

Use contacting the hiring manager technique. Here’s an article on themuse.com with a more detailed strategy to do this. This technique is a proven way to go around HR and get the attention of the hiring manager.

Note: HR doesn’t say yes to hiring someone the hiring manager does. Spend your time building the connection there rather than HR. HR is the gatekeeper to the person who can get you the job.

Resume – What story is it telling the reader?

Your resume is your marketing piece that helps get your foot in the door. What story is the reader going to craft about you when they read it. Remember, they don’t know you and you only have 1-2 pages to show who you are. You only have a short period of time to grab the reader’s attention. That’s only if it makes it past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Your resume should be in the following order for most job types.

Name and Contact info

Career Summary

Career Highlights

Professional Experience

Education

Extracurricular activities

Name and Contact info

Self-explanatory

Career Summary

This area summarizes your career and the area to showcase your career at a high level. How many years of experience and in what areas. The next area should be high-level accomplishments in your career. Also, any specific skills that are relevant to the job.

Career Highlights

In this section of the resume, you’ll want to list out three of your best career achievements. When you list them, focus on the difference you’ve made for the company or people. Put them in the relevance of importance for a company. Revenue, growth, customer satisfaction, etc. It’s okay to share the awards as long as that isn’t the focus. This will showcase you as someone who is a humble winner. What story is it telling the reader?

Professional Experience

This section highlights your career experience and should be in reverse chronological order. Your latest job should be the first job they see. The name of the company should be written first. Why? Because recruiters and HR personnel scan to see what companies you worked for. The impressive companies will stand out before a title. After that, put a small summary of what you accomplished, then your title. Next will be your bullet points. They should focus on your accomplishments. They should be accomplishments you’ve made and quantify them if you can. Again, revenue, market growth, customer satisfaction, retention, sales, cost reduction, etc.

Education

In this area list, you’ll want to list schools, degrees, certifications, and school projects.

Extracurricular activities

A shortlist of volunteers, foundations, charity work, non-profits, clubs, publications, media appearances. Only list these if they apply for the position, company, or its mission.

KILLER BONUS RESUME TIP

ATS tracking systems are the gatekeeper nowadays to you reaching the HR personnel. If your resume doesn’t pass that system, your resume will never be viewed. Period! You should do three things when you complete writing.

First, you want the resume to be a good match for the job description. Imagine you’re the hiring manager and you wrote the job description. Then you picked up your resume… Would your resume match what they want? Do the keywords match? Would you want to pick up the phone and call this person to say you wanted to talk more? It doesn’t have to be a perfect fit by any means but good enough for them to say this candidate has what we need.

Second, get a friend to read it and ask them what they notice first. Then ask them if you were the hiring manager would you want to reach out to me? Find a friend who’s brutally honest.

Third, use a website called www.Jobscan.co. It’s designed to compare your resume to the job description and how the ATS system will score it.

When done with those steps update your resume as needed and repeat until it’s a good fit.

NOTE: If you’re making a big career change you should focus the majority of your time on networking.

Cover Letter

The cover letter is your first impression on the employer. Its job is to grab the attention of the reader and get them to reach out to you. It’s NOT a full work history or a place to beg for a job. It has just a few key components to it.

The reason you’re reaching out

Share who you are and why you’re interested (share a quick and powerful story of your why) Show excitement for the job.

Here are two articles with advice on writing a cover letter that will grab their attention.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/31-attentiongrabbing-cover-letter-examples

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-secrets-to-making-your-cover-letter-stand-out

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is another marketing piece for you. You should treat it like that. It can be warm, friendly, and welcoming. Choose a picture that is professional and friendly. Even if you don’t like your smile, use a picture with a nice smile. It’s not your opinion that is being formed with the picture you choose. Research shows that people who see a smile are much more likely to form a positive opinion of that person.

Show your accomplishments and they should have numbers to back them up. Numbers grab attention and the longer a reader stays on your profile, the more likely they are to reach out.

Use the summary section much like your professional summary of your career. Avoid overuse of buzzwords in your industry. Is it telling a story?

Avoid any political or controversial posts except if you work in that industry.

Make recommendations for your friends and colleagues first. Don’t be afraid to ask for them too.

Again, like your resume, ask a friend or colleague to review it. What did they notice first? What feelings did they have after reading it? Did they feel compelled to know more?

Interview

The interview is the stage where all the work you’ve done up to here is all about. The best resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn Profile won’t get you hired if you don’t show up ready to be your best. I specialize in helping others feel confident in interviews. Here are a few great tips to help you show up confident.

Dress

Dress for the job you want and do your research about the company. If they were suits, so should you. If it’s a casual environment, it’s best to still dress up, but you may not need to wear a suit. Default to your research in either case.

Mindset

This job isn’t the only job that’s out there and you should treat it like this. The world keeps moving and new jobs, post every day. If you walk into the interview being attached to having that job, you’re already at a loss. Walk-in with the attitude of this will be practice and I will do a great job, regardless.

Show up prepared and ready to share who you are but unattached to having that job. You want to interview the company too. It’s a two-way relationship. It’s your job to find out if they are a good fit for you. It’s their job to find out if you are a fit for them. There’s a reason for the job being open. They need a human being to fill it. I know that seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget. They could use you as much as you could use them.

Prep

Be prepared and do your research on the company, its history, its goals, and the position. Have questions ready for them about what’s important to you. Know why you want to work there and why that’s important to you besides a paycheck. Know the role and help tell a story of how you’ll be a great fit for it.

Research about the team you are going to work with. Dig on LinkedIn about the hiring manager and find out if you have anything in common.

Use Glassdoor.com to check out the company before you go. They list common questions during interviews, salaries, and reviews of the company.

Be prepared for the STAR method in an interview. If they use the STAR method you’ll be asked questions in the following way.

Tell me about a time when?

What would you do when?

Have you ever?

Describe a time when you?

STAR definition

S – Situation – What was the situation?

T – Task – How did you take responsibility for this?

A – Action – What actions did you take to solve the problem or situation?

R – Result – What was the result or outcome you achieved?

Have a few go-to stories ready to share that share how you’ve accomplished something in your career. I like to frame them like this. Where did you start and what did you achieve along the way. How did things change as a result? When sharing your story add in little anecdotes about things that happened along the way. Add in some funny moments. The stories should feel compelling to the listener.

Want to blow their socks off?

Prepare a 30/60/90 day high-level plan for the job you’d like to have. Keep it high-level and detailed enough to show that you took the time to be prepared. This will show you will do what it takes to get the job done.

When finished with the interview and assuming you still want the job, it’s ok to ask where the company is in the hiring process. This will give a better expectation of what to expect after this.

Follow – up

When you’re done with the interview follow up with a thank-you note to the hiring manager.

I found this simple but powerful follow-up note from TheMuse.com and think it’s worth passing along. If you haven’t heard anything try it.

Quick, Powerful Follow-up note

Again, don’t be needy, but show your enthusiasm for wanting the job.

Negotiation

When they offer you the job, you already know what that position is paying in your area. Check out Glassdoor.com and Payscale.com and do your research.

Here are a few tips.

Never talk about salary upfront in the process or interview.

This is a two-way street. If they like you, they will pay more and if you like them, you’re willing to take less. So, it’s important to understand what value you add to the company. Remember, they are hiring someone for a reason. They need a person to do the job, and if you can show you will bring in tremendous value, they will offer you more.

Know the whole picture of the offer. How much vacation, training opportunities, travel, benefits, the team you’ll work with, start date, and the future opportunities there. Take all that into account when negotiating. Does it all align with your original vision?

Remain flexible. That doesn’t mean giving up your values. This is a relationship you’re building.

A note of reference is that the HR person isn’t the person in charge of the salary. That’s determined by the department where you will be in. HR will know the salary range to negotiate on. If you’re especially awesome and they want you, they will need to get approval to go higher you at a higher salary.

Give yourself time to respond and let them know when you’ll respond too. When you’ve come to an agreement, thank them, sign the offer, and celebrate that you just landed a great new job!

 

FSC Blog Author: Brad Finkeldei – Career Coach 

Brad is a career catalyst and interview coach, speaker, and best-selling author. He coaches professionals to create a career they love. His specialty is identifying where people are stuck and helping discover the confidence to do what they love.  He’s successfully navigated interviews, promotions, asking for raises, and can you help craft a plan to do the same. He has a knack for inspiring people to believe in themselves and create plans for success. He’s been featured on media outlets such as ABC, WGN-Radio, and many numerous podcasts. His diverse background in IT, speaking, and coaching will help you create a career plan and lifestyle that works for you while using your skillset to make the best career move. If you’re feeling less than confident about your career move or interview Brad will help make the process easier for you.

Get my Free How to Find Your Dream Job Course here:  www.bradfinkeldei.com
 FSC Career Blog | May 13, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Create A Networking Pitch In Three Easy Steps. Great Read for All!

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Even with social distancing and the cancellation of large group events, every professional still needs a networking pitch. First of all, there are video meetings and virtual summits, where you may need to go around the screen and introduce yourself.

Secondly, a friend could still offer to refer you to someone by email and ask you for a few lines about yourself to include – that’s networking in writing!

Finally, if you come across a LinkedIn profile that interests you and you want to connect to that person, you should write a note with your invite, and that’s yet another opportunity to introduce yourself.

The best networking pitch introduces you in a concise and compelling way. However, capturing your personality and highlighting the best of your background, all while not rambling on for too long is difficult. In previous posts, I have shared suggestions for creating your networking pitch if you have a lot of experience to cover or if you are in a career change and want to talk about yourself differently or if you are unemployed.

In general, you can create an effective networking pitch in three easy steps:

Step 1 – Pick something about your professional background to establish credibility

You don’t have time to include a summary of your resume or even the chronology. Besides, that’s boring. Instead, focus on a specific professional accomplishment that puts you at the right level (e.g., if you’re in management, don’t mention an individual contributor role). Pick something that is relevant to where you want to work. For example, you could mention:

1.     Your current company and role. This is not necessarily your title, if your title is generic (e.g., VP, Director) or full of jargon (e.g., names a department no one outside your company would recognize)

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2.     What you are working on, learning or researching. If you are in-between jobs or consulting but looking to go in-house, you still want to focus on being active, rather than saying you’re unemployed or in transition. Remember too that even though you are working on your job search, you don’t want to mention that – instead talk about the companies you’re researching or things you’re hearing about the market

3.     Industry expertise or other specialized knowledge. Rather than a role, you talk about your overall industry of other expertise, including how many years you’ve been in this area or a cutting-edge fact that leaves no doubt that you’re current in your field

4.     The arc of your career – e.g., several employers, industries or roles. This is useful if you’re in-between roles but want to highlight that you have existing experience. Even if you’re currently employed, you may decide that your overall experience is more interesting than anyone role

5.     Types of clients you serve and the results you achieve. Many jobs, especially as you get more senior, have multiple responsibilities, but by talking about who you serve and what the results are, you hone in on the value you deliver, rather than how you do it or what your day-to-day is like

6.     Sample recent project or client story. By drilling down to one example, you showcase your expertise and experience while also telling a story. If you have a particularly interesting before/ after the result to share or a hero’s journey, this could be a good way to package your credibility

Try all six of these formats, and choose the most powerful ones, or keep them all and rotate them depending on who you’re talking to and what you want to highlight.

Step 2 – Include something personal to build rapport

You don’t just want to include professional details in your pitch because it’s boring. Everyone focuses on the professional, and you need to stand out to be remembered. Including something personal also helps a genuine relationship to build, and the pitch is just the start of what is hopefully a long-term genuine relationship. Some personal tidbits that are still appropriate for professional networking include:

1.     How you became interested in your line of work. This is a natural transition from establishing your credibility – you’re not only knowledgeable but enthusiastic!

2.     Life story – e.g., where you grew up, where you went to school, earlier career if different from now

3.     Passion or hobby – these should be pursuits that you invest in, not just dabble in because the superficial effort doesn’t make a memorable impression

4.     Community or non-profit involvement – if you have any leadership experience, that adds to your professional credibility as well

5.     Recent book you read, trip you took or event you attended – similar to the passion or hobby, this isn’t just about being well-rounded but also being interesting and dedicated, so pick accordingly

6.     Connection to the person you are talking to or circumstances that put you together – if you’re attending a virtual summit on AI, and your work isn’t obviously related to AI, then you could talk about what prompted you to attend

Step 3 – End with a call to action for yourself that lets the other person know your immediate priorities

Your call to action is where you state what you’re focused on in the near term. For example:

1.     Career step you are working on – if you’re in finance, you might mention you’re studying for the CFA and looking forward to more complex analyses (if that’s your ideal career move)

2.     The area you are researching or idea you’re considering – if you’re a career changer and your background is very different from what you want to do, specifying your new target career as a research subject for you lets the other person know you’re moving into something else

3.     Ideal project

4.     Ideal client

5.     Ideal role

Having a call to action is critical so the other person knows exactly what your focus is, and if they want to help you, they know exactly how they can help. At the same time, make sure that the call to action is what you are doing yourself and not a question you pose to the other person, or worse, an outright request. Your introduction should never include a request – it’s too early and will seem presumptuous.

A multidimensional pitch is best because it reflects the multidimensional you

Using all three steps to develop your networking pitch ensures that your pitch is as multidimensional as you are. It also establishes credibility, rapport, and the next steps, all of which give the other person enough information that if they want to continue with the relationship in a meaningful way they can. (Of course, you should always take the initiative to follow up in case the other person is terrible about following up, as many people are.)

 

Author:  Caroline Ceniza-Levine  Senior Contributor  Careers

Career Change Expert and Author of “Jump Ship: 10 Steps To Starting A New Career”
Forbes.com | April 27, 2020

#JobSearch : Here’s How Making Casual Video Calls Can Be A Smart Job Search, Networking Strategy.

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I’ve been hosting online Zoom career and job-search advice meetups to help people navigate through these tough times. With people self-isolating at home and disconnected from the outside world, it’s easy to feel forgotten.

Think of this networking strategy as channeling your inner Johnny Appleseed—planting seeds in a lot of places that will eventually grow, blossom, and yield fruit from your labor. 

You may be working from home and periodically checking into work, but it’s not the same as being there. You can’t go out to lunch with a colleague, grab a cup of coffee with a former co-worker, or have an impromptu beer with a collection of friends from different companies. These small ways to keep in touch and network with folks are gone for the time being.

If you’re in between jobs, it’s even more difficult. You’re stuck at home and don’t have the option of going outside to attend a face-to-face interview, looking someone in the eyes, and shaking their hand. It’s a catch-22. You need a job, but 26 million people have already filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March. You can’t engage in social interactions and hiring is at a standstill. Non-essential businesses are closed.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Companies that are still operating lack clarity of what will happen next. Management is more preoccupied with staying afloat than adding to the headcount. They contend that it’s more reasonable to simply take a wait-and-see approach to hire until there’s some semblance of an end to this pandemic and the economic toll it’s taken on us.

Now that many of the traditional means used to search for a job are rendered useless, here’s a smart and productive hack. Jed Clark, the former chief compliance officer for ICONIQ Capital, a multifamily office and private equity firm, offered a brilliant solution during one of my virtual meetups.

A little backstory is helpful. Clark previously left his important executive job to embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world, planning to visit 11 countries on 4 different continents. He meditated in silence for 10 days in Prachin Buri, Thailand, trekked 125 miles over 13 days in the Nepali Himalayas, circumnavigated the Annapurna Massif, taking a very cold (and brief) swim in Tilicho Lake at an altitude of 16,000 feet and crossed the Thorong La mountain pass at an elevation of nearly 18,000 feet during an early morning snowstorm. In the midst of his wild journey, the coronavirus hit, and Clark was forced to rush back home to San Francisco.

Although he returned home without a job, Clark wanted to keep mentally occupied and start seeking out a new position during one of the toughest job markets in recent history. He casually shared with the group what he’s been doing since arriving home and self-quarantined. Clark said that he had a goal of setting up three or more video calls a day with people. The online calls are with former co-workers, bosses, people who have reported into him in the past and extended out to casual business relationships.

Clark tailored a brief email politely asking the person if they’d like to jump on a quick video chat to catch up. No agenda or ulterior motive was mentioned. His theory, which has proven true, was that everyone is in the same boat now. We’re all incredibly bored and stuck at home looking for something to do, as there’s only so much time you can spend binge-watching Netflix shows, like the Tiger King. We all need something a little different and interesting to pass the time. It’s an added bonus if it’s also productive. What’s better than mixing a friendly reacquainting, talking shop and maybe gaining something valuable out of the conversation?

The call would be light and go over the standard stuff, like how’s the family, gossiping about mutual friends, sharing what’s new and discussing ways to cope with our collective new reality.

Invariably, the person will ask Clark about his work. When informed that he’s no longer connected with his firm, the other person would usually offer to help, almost as a knee-jerk reaction. They’d provide some advice and suggestions, as well as a name or two of people whom he should get in touch with. The more video calls he made, the more job leads were generated.

As you can imagine, ditching your well-paying, high-end job for a trek about the globe takes chutzpah. Clark is friendly, articulate and unafraid of taking risks, so it comes easy to him to initiate the cold video calls. We’re not all that fortunate to possess that level of gregariousness and comfort level of putting ourselves out there and possibly getting blown off.

It may feel awkward at first, but I’d suggest that you should immediately add this tactic to your job search repertoire. This is especially a brilliant move during this time period. Within weeks or months, most of us will hopefully be out of our homes and back to the daily grind and the moment will be gone.

By now, we’ve been locked up at home for a month or so. We’ve lost all concept of time, so it’s hard to remember exactly how long it’s been. As most of us are at our wits’ end, it’s a perfect time to reach out to someone and say “hello.” They’ll be happy to hear from you, as they’re bored silly and hungry for someone new to see and speak with. Once we return to work, this approach may not work as well. Right now, this is the perfect time to reach out to as many people as possible.

You should start by contacting co-workers, former colleagues, friends, business associates, family members with some insights and connections, college alumni, the kids you grew up with who went on to bigger and better things and haven’t spoken with in years, as well as anyone else who you think it makes sense to get in touch with.

You don’t need to force anything. Strive for a nice, casual conversation. When the time’s right, you can ask for some help if they don’t offer it first. Under the circumstances, it’s socially acceptable to say that you’d like to find a new job and could use some help. Most people will feel flattered that you asked them. Be forewarned. There will always be a few people who are not interested in helping and won’t be bothered.

Reaching out to recruiters is important too; however, there is a catch. Many of them may not currently have many—if any—relevant jobs available to share, as companies are aggressively cutting back hiring. That’s okay. The goal is to just at least get in front of them, so they know who you are. When things start opening up again, they’ll remember you and keep you in mind when they have appropriate job requisitions available.

Think of this networking strategy as channeling your inner Johnny Appleseed—planting seeds in a lot of places that will eventually grow, blossom and yield fruit from your labor.

In addition to the video calls, remember to follow up with these individuals on social media sites to keep in touch. Connect with them on LinkedIn and Facebook. Like and comment on things that they post. Share information about your job search. Write articles or share videos to remind them that you’re still actively searching.

The video call is an effective job search strategy, but you should still continue searching for jobs online, submitting résumés, completing applications, practicing your elevator pitch and following up on leads.

Author:   Jack Kelly

I am a CEO, founder, and executive recruiter at one of the oldest and largest global search firms in my area of expertise, and have personally placed thousands of

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Forbes.com | April 24, 2020