Make time for job search without detracting from current role
DDear Sam: I have heard the old adage, “It’s easier to get a job when you have a job,” but how does one find the time to conduct a job search when already working
50-plus hours a week, in addition to caring for a family (a wife and three children) and home? I desperately want to get out of my current situation and find a new culture to be a part of, but I can’t quit and lose the income while searching for a new job. What is the best approach? — Jacob
ear Jacob: You are so right! Performing a thoughtful job search is indeed a fulltime job, so adding that to your alreadyfull-time position and your responsibilities as a homeowner, parent and husband is daunting, to say the least. The good news is that there are definitely strategies you can employ (no pun intended) to help you find a new opportunity while you are engaged in your current position.
➤ Create a plan.
Perhaps the most important step, akin to creating a business plan for an entrepreneurial venture, is to create your job-search plan, complete with targeted positions, desired companies and a clear vision of your value proposition. This should coincide with the development of a robust, targeted and keyword-centric resume and cover letter. Create these documents, as mentioned, to be as targeted as much as possible so they will yield traction in the job market.
➤ Activate your network.
Connect with your friends, peers and family, and let them know you are conducting a confidential search. Tell them what you are looking for, provide them with copies of your resume, and create an army of brand ambassadors — for you. While you may not want to tell co-workers at your current job of your plans, you can always reach out to peers with whom you have previously worked. You never know who you may connect with and what opportunities that could yield. I have heard of so many candidates connecting with a former co-worker or supervisor and actually earning invitations to interview for unlisted jobs — and getting hired.
➤ Update, enhance your professionalnetworking profile.
There is a misnomer that updating your profile on professional-networking sites tells an employer you are actively searching for a new position. In fact, most professionals should have an online profile that optimizes the presentation of their brand, whether or not they are actively job-searching. Seeking recommendations to attach to your professional profile is a great thing to do at this time, ensuring that others are “vouching” for your candidacy, given that you will likely not provide a reference from your current employer.
➤ Build bridges with influencers.
While free time is at a premium, try to engage in opportunities to network with influencers in your field while representing your current employer. This could come in the form of attending trade events, industry conferences, meet-up sessions or even just socialnetworking opportunities offered by most trade associations. While you are representing your employer, realize you are also representing your brand, building relationships, securing contacts and engaging with others in your field who may be great connections down the road should you be interested in opportunities with their employers/organizations.
I hope these tips help you create the plan to make a “clean” exit from your current employer with minimal disruption for you, your family and your finances. Good luck with your search. — Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Nolan Branding, a full-service resume-writing firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@nolan branding.com. To find out more about Nolan and her services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 614-570-3442 or 888-952-3928.