Will You EVER Get Another Job - Jane Jackson Career

Will You EVER Get Another Job - Jane Jackson Career Looking for a job can be a challenging experience and there may be times when you wonder if you will ever be able to get a job again. You are not alone, this article I published back in November 2014 generated over 200K views and hundreds of comments on LinkedIn over the years and has helped many get back on track.Top Post on LInkedIn Pulse 29 Nov 2014*** November 2014: Well, this is very interesting. I posted a new post on LinkedIn last night (29 Nov 2014) and had 500 views in the first hour. When I woke up this morning it had got to over 27,000 views, over 300 likes and over 120 comments. Ive spent 2 hours answering as many of the comments as I can and am heartened that so many people found the article helpful. Yet I am saddened that so many people are also doing it so tough in the job search globally right now.*** Im now adding to this article on 3rd December 2014 as its been 4 days and the post has gone viral! It has received over 186,000 views and has generated over 480 comments . It stands at the No. 5 article of the week for the most views globally. Ive tried to answer as many of the comments as possible and must have spent about 4-5 hours in total just answering comments there is a global wave of frustrated job seekers who are desperate for some inspiration and guidance in order to be able to overcome the challenges of looking for a job. What have been YOUR experiences?***Its now 2019 and this post still generates interest and requests for help with over 800 comments to date:Heres the full article and I hope it helps you as much as its helped others:HOW TO GET A JOBDid you launch your job search activities with a burst of energy, set goals, seek support and launch your actions plan with lots of positive energy and hope? Did you get a lot of initial positive response from helpful friends, colleagues and business contacts, feel great about the process and then suddenly everything ground to a halt?Over the past 14 years coaching senior executives through their career transitions, I’ve found that even the most pro-active job seeker may experience a dip in activity at some stage. Even though this is quite normal, if the lull continues for more than a couple of weeks you will become discouraged. It’s now time to reassess each job search method and get creative.At the start of a job search campaign, people update their resume, register with a number of recruitment agencies, and make a list of companies to target and make contact with their network to gain referrals. Things may go along well, perhaps even a few interviews may be secured and then … nothing. People who seemed so enthusiastic at first don’t return calls or emails; suddenly there is a deadly silence. If this happens time and time again, insidiously doubt slithers into your mind and you start to question your ability to secure a new role.The momentum is lost. It’s easy to slip into catastrophic thinking at this stage if the months start to slip by and finances get t ighter and you have mouths to feed, a mortgage to pay off and multiple expenses.This experience is not unusual. Many job hunters find that getting moving initially is not that difficult however, as opportunities fall through and that initial list of contacts is exhausted, the search for work can move into a more difficult phase. Perhaps you have ‘hit the wall.’ Does this sound familiar to you?Sometimes the people you speak with initially create the mistaken impression that finding a new position will only take a few weeks, or that the process is easy. Perhaps you are interpreting the feedback you are receiving (calls that are not returned, lack of response from recruiters, positions that suddenly are placed ‘on hold’ or filled by internal applicants) as a measure of your marketability, or lack of it, and you start to make negative emotional judgments on yourself that are not correct. With that sort of thinking, even the most successful professional may question the very elem ents that made them a success in the previous career.You may feel like giving up. If you give up, you will not succeed. I remember a saying I once heard that only when it really gets dark can you see the stars.Step 1: BE REALISTICFirst of all, know that statistically a typical job search for a professional in middle management can take up to 3-4 months. More senior positions may take considerably longer. When finding work is not as easy as it seemed after your initial enthusiastic start, don’t assume the worst â€" get the facts. Base your actions on facts and evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Ask yourself if you are being too narrow in your search or if there is a piece of the puzzle you are omitting in the search process. Give yourself mini-breaks in your weekly routine to exercise, relax and enjoy the fresh air. Clear your head â€" learn how to meditate â€" it does help!Step 2: MAINTAIN YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM â€" Don’t be afraid to ask for helpStress can make you withdraw f rom friends, associates and family. Most people really do want to help however you need to let them know HOW they can help you. Talk to a friend or mentor, join a support group, or engage the support of a career coach for professional guidance. I’ve found that meetup.com is a very helpful site to find like-minded people who meet regularly to discuss their areas of interest or expertise (this is professional as well as social.)Step 3: SET A CLEAR PLAN AND STICK TO ITMake sure that you keep your resume updated with your relevant accomplishments, identify your transferrable skills and identify your personal and career values. Develop a marketing plan with realistic timeframes and realistic goals and objectives. If it doesn’t work, make adjustments; discuss them with a trusted associate who understands your job market and someone who understands the industry you are targeting.Step 4: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WORK HABITSMaintain regular work habits and full work weeks. Your job search is a FULL TIME JOB!Implement task planning, keep up-to-date records and record results and follow up activities. Networking statistically has proven to be the most effective way to find a job. Ensure you budget about 70-80% of your time meeting people in your relevant network and getting feedback on your strategy. Always try to gain referrals in order to obtain more advice and guidance. How many people will you meet each week? In my coaching experience I’ve found that those who spend the most amount of time setting up networking meetings every week are the ones who generate the most opportunities, new ideas and support … and leads for jobs!Step 5: CONSIDER ALTERNATIVESConsider what else you could do if your original goals don’t materialize. Should you consider short term or interim assignments where you can expand your experience without making a permanent commitment? This is an excellent way to demonstrate what you have to offer and expand upon your professional network. With a little luck and determination, a temporary assignment may turn into something more long-term. Think about alternative income streams â€" do you have an area of expertise that would lend itself into a consulting role? Think about expanding your skills â€" are you missing a key certification or qualification that could open more doors for you?Step 6: TARGET WHOM YOU WANT TO SPEND TIME WITHNot everyone you meet will be a positive, helpful influence. Give negativity a wide berth. Give yourself the chance to surround yourself with those who believe in you and are willing to share their experience and expertise. Positive attitudes are contagious. Winners focus on possibilities and positive outcomes.Step 7: MAINTAIN A REALISTIC and OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOKTalk to others who have experienced an extended job search. You will learn a lot about resilience from them. They have hit low points, assessed the situation, asked for support and made conscious decisions to adapt and move on. It may be diffi cult to believe it but things really do get better if you can take charge and keep at it. Remember that a winner never quits. Balance your time so that you are spending the right amount of time on the critical activities of each phase of your campaign.Be brave enough to acknowledge that your job search campaign has stalled and then be creative to get it moving again. Remember that you do not have to do this alone. Enlist the support of your friends and family, close ex-colleagues and all of those you respect. Sign up a ‘job search buddy’ who will keep you on track and accountable.In order to experience positive results you have to take positive action. Maintain records of your activity â€" set your own KPI’s and stick to them. Reward yourself each time you tick off a day’s worth of positive activity. If you still need more help, enlist the support of a qualified career coach. Having regular encouragement and objective guidance makes a world of difference.In one blog post its impossible to cover everything. If you need support, visit The Careers Academy Online Im there to support you and membership of the Academy gives you a wealth of career management and career transition support. Find out more here