The Career Race: On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!
Job Searching is a Race
I always admire those who run. Like anything worth achieving, it takes planning, commitment, dedication, persistence, and a love for the sport to be a runner. I know this because I have a thirst for knowledge and love coaching and mentoring those I am called to serve. There are many types of races: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon, and within each race, individual runner’s statistics vary (source: livestrong.com).
Job Change or Job Transition
As a certified professional career coach, when it comes to searching for a job or transitioning to a new job, the idea of variance applies to the time individual job seekers spend looking for employment and landing a job. These are challenging times, with many companies conducting layoffs. This blog aims to provide focused information to support those experiencing job loss, as we are all on this career journey together.
Runner’s Race = Career Race
I greatly admire runners, but I must admit that I am not one myself. It's safe to say that running is not for me as I am getting older, and my knees and hips are starting to feel the effects of aging. However, I will continue to admire those participating in this sport, whether for recreation or professionally.
Using the runner’s analogy for starting a race, such as "on your marks, get set, go," you can strategically consider these three areas to fast-track your search:
On your Marks: Use Self-Awareness to Your Advantage
Searching for a new job can be overwhelming, especially considering your financial situation and responsibilities. However, it's essential to take this time to pause and focus on understanding your motivations. Self-awareness is key in this process, allowing you to identify your values, skills, personal brand, and communication preferences. Taking the time to do this exercise, whether in detail or at a high level, will help you align with your motivations to prioritize what matters most to you in the short and long term. And you don’t have to go it alone; if you need help, click here to book a free consultation with an experienced career coach.
Considering your whole self, you can start by asking yourself the following sample questions:
What do I believe and value for my family, faith, work, finances, and relationships?
What skills have I acquired professionally?
What skills do I love innately?
Do I need to up-skill? Considering artificial intelligence (AI), what does this look like?
Is there a connection between my innate capabilities and my professional skills?
What do others say I am good at?
What am I good at that others don’t yet know about?
What type of environment do I strive in?
What type of work can my skills match with?
What companies are looking for workers with my skillset?
What would happiness look like for me in my next job?
Get Set: Persist with Due Diligence
Get set! This is your cue to focus as the race is about to start. In this job search phase, you should take time to work on the details using the results from the previous phase. You can use the information you gathered to describe your brand. This knowledge is what differentiates you from others. From your personal branding description, you can use the following sample bullets:
Create an elevator pitch about what you do
Brush up your resume to include updated information
Connect the story from your resume and update your LinkedIn Profile
Create a Portfolio to show your body of work (digital preferred)
Start engaging and growing your network
Strategically identify preferred companies you want to work for based on your research
Make sure you connect with people who work with your preferred list of companies in your network
Look for volunteer opportunities in your area of interest to give back and continue to build your network
Go: Get Organized and Build Your Career Network
At the sound of "Go!" in the final phase of the start of the race, you must start running towards the finish line. It's important to remember that anything can happen during the race, such as injuries, mental and physical fatigue, weather changes, hunger, thirst, and other bodily incidents like nausea. Once the race starts, you can only rely on your inner strength and focus on doing your best. Only some runners will reach the finish line simultaneously, but most have a better chance of succeeding if they persist despite any challenges. In your job search, consider using these bullet points to manage your activities during this phase:
Targeted distribution: plan the number of resumes and cover letters to submit to your list of preferred companies each week
Track your distribution based on the number sent, the company, the response received to date, and action taken
Prepare and send thank you notes to those companies that offer you interview opportunities to stay in gratitude
Stay connected to your community and find an accountability partner(s) with whom you can share progress. Preferably a combination of someone looking and someone who is employed. Don’t forget your online community as well on LinkedIn. Stay involved by offering your knowledge about relevant subjects
Continue to be intentional with growing your network and persist
In Conclusion
Just like running a race, job hunting can be unpredictable and challenging. To endure, it's essential to surround yourself with positive people, stay motivated, do things you enjoy, and draw strength from your spiritual beliefs.
When you reach the finish line, take a moment to savor the experience. Acknowledge your emotions, whether joy, tears, or excitement. You made it! Take a deep breath, relax, and reflect on your journey.
For other considerations…
Capture lessons learned from your career race
Reach back to help someone who is on a similar journey
Share your story with your community at large to scale your learnings
Identify your career growth path
Stay ready by keeping your career collaterals up to date
Choose your tribe, and continue to build your network strategically
Take what resonates, implement it, and make your move!
Please don’t hesitate to book a free consultation.
