Be Professional – Be Proactive – Be Prepared
You just graduated from school, you’re looking for a job and the first thing you need to put in place is a plan. You made a decision, you hated your current job so you resign and now you need to find a new job. The first thing you need is a plan. You got let go and you need a job so the first thing you need – A PLAN.
Without it, it’s very difficult to get any traction and move things forward. The progress is all in the plan.
Being proactive is the key to it all. Make no mistake – this is a process and it’s hard work. It requires time, effort and preparation.
Are you comfortable putting yourself out there and exposing yourself? If you can, you begin to build relationships that hopefully lead you to meaningful places that get you on your way. Like all things, it takes time, patience and practice. The more you do it – the better you will become at relationship building. That’s how you develop the network. The substance is in the dialogue and the ability to establish an exchange and exploratory conversation that opens doors. It’s a character people will be attracted to. It’s an affirmation that you are someone to align with, someone to help, someone to teach and someone to mentor….Someone of choice.
If you can put yourself in front of people, do it comfortably and do it with confidence, you will be recognized for these qualities and you appear to be a desirable hire. You look professional.
As you continue to develop relationships and make industry friends, you are creating the network, which is vital today to keep things moving forward.
You need to have purpose as you enter into the job search territory. Do not shoot from the hip. Maintain a peripheral vision – Take aim and find the target. In order to plan – you need to understand your priorities and get them in order. Ask yourself difficult questions. Challenge yourself. Produce a story about yourself. Make it compelling. Make it powerful by using pinpoint precision about your experience, your desire to be great and the value you can and will add. Present you in ways that differentiate you from the rest of the pack. Do not complain about the hard work. It’s not easy, but it can be fun – if you put in the time, you will see results.