Searching for a new job is like going on a journey. It's a journey from where you are - perhaps jobless or dissatisfied with your present job - to a new job that is satisfying and rewarding.
If you've been finding this journey too long or difficult, you must step back and ask yourself: Am I well-prepared for this journey? How smooth and fruitful your job search will be depends on how prepared you are.
Preparation for job search involves five steps:
1. Take charge of your thoughts
The game begins in the mind. During the process of job search, you may come across many challenging situations. For example, you may not get many interview calls or may be rejected at interviews.
When faced with such situations, it's easy to feel demoralised. But remember, success requires optimism, determination and persistent action.
So, start learning to take charge of your thoughts. Read something inspiring every day, meditate, or write a personal journal. These activities will help you see obstacles and failures as opportunities to learn and improve.
2. Know yourself
Many people try to market themselves in the job market without knowing the product - themselves! Lack of self-knowledge is the main reason behind lack of self-confidence.
You are not what you write in your resume. That's just the tip of an iceberg.
Invest time to figure out your strengths, personality, values, interests, knowledge, skills and passion. Greater self-knowledge will give you much needed confidence and help you identify your rightful place in the job market.
3. Learn what works
Job market is like any other market with buyers (employers), sellers (job seekers) and brokers (recruitment agencies). This market rewards those who understand and play according to its rules.
For example, do you know that employers usually spend a few seconds scanning through a resume? So, long, complicated, jargon-filled resumes don't work.
Similarly, when you appear at interviews, employers are keen to know: How can you solve my problem or add value? Why should we choose you and not others? Also, do you know it's a good idea to send a thank-you note after an interview?
Are you aware there are two job markets - visible and invisible? Visible job market appears in the form of advertisements in the newspapers and on the Internet. Invisible job market has to be tapped through contacts, direct approach to employers or recruitment agencies.
Learn how to approach employers, how to prepare a resume, and how to conduct yourself during and after interviews.
4. Know the environment
You may hear or read the word "economy" every day. What's an economy and how one relates to it? How your country's economy is evolving? Which sectors are expanding, emerging, or shrinking?
What about the industry you belong to? How is it doing? What are the current career trends? For example, there is a growing trend among organizations to keep the core functions and outsource the rest.
By developing a sound understanding of your environment, you will be able to look for opening in the right places.
5. Dreams, goals and plan
Don't see your job search as problem but view it as a life-time opportunity to create the future you desire. "Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change," suggests Wayne Dyer, best-selling author and motivation guru.
Dare to dream big. Set specific goals - both short-term and long-term-and make plans to pursue them.
When you go through the above steps diligently, you'll gain confidence and feel inspired to take action. Remember, everyone wants to win, but few people take the pains to prepare. These few turn out to be the winners.
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