The Good Part
The down side of job-hunting at this stage of our lives is that
it can feel overwhelming. The up side of job-hunting at this
stage of our lives is that [by sheer virtue of the significant
number of our years on this earth] we have acquired many
contacts. — Finding a job is all about people. It’s the people
you know and the people you meet who will inevitably help you
get a job. Study after study has shown that up to 70% of people
in new positions found them through networking.
Results – Not Instant Ones
Know that networking is not about starting every conversation
with, “I’m looking for work.” Networking is about developing
(professionally rewarding) relationships that will yield
long-term benefits, rather than an immediate payback. Stay in
touch with the people in your network. Follow through on a
discussion you had earlier, send them articles you think would
interest them, update them on your progress. Keeping your name
in front of people is essential.
Feeling ‘Skittish’
In case you wary of ‘bothering’ other people, keep in mind that
networking is not an imposition on others. Most people welcome
the opportunity to be helpful; it’s human nature.
Expanding Your Circle
Ask people you already know to recommend people they know.
Think creatively and expand this circle. Ask contacts if they
know someone, or know someone who knows someone, who could refer
you.
People, if asked, often believe they
couldn’t come up with the names of very many people in their
network. Think of people you know in the following categories –
I think you will be surprised at how many people you actually
know:
?Family, ?Friends, ?Social
acquaintances, ?Volunteering contacts, ?Religious organizations
?Former Co-workers, ?Alumni Associations and ? Service
Providers like doctors, lawyers, hairdressers, real-estate
agents, instructors/trainers, etc.
Virtual Meetings
Networking need not be limited to face-to-face encounters.
Networking through e-mails can be another powerful way to
generate leads, and it provides an easy way for people to be
helpful.
Become An Activist
Every time you meet someone, you have an opportunity to market
yourself. What can you say to that person, so they will want
to/know how to help you? The answer to that question is, “You
need to develop a ‘marketing sound bite’ – a short (about 20
sec.), persuasive speech that is to-the-point and highlights
your skills, experience and career goals.”
Know Thyself
The information for your ‘marketing sound bite’ will be based on
a personal assessment of your skills and experience, and
highlights about the position you are seeking. I can’t stress
enough the importance of knowing your strengths and knowing what
you want.
How to Know Thyself
To help you identify your strengths, I recommend that you engage
in the following activity:
- Prepare a list of (at least) Ten
Successes you have experienced in your life. Consider
instances throughout your life, not just recent ones.
‘Successes’ can be defined here as “any undertaking you
handled that resulted in satisfaction for you”. Note that
‘successes’ in this case is not meant to be ones that are
culturally defined, but rather ones that are defined from
your own perspective. Examples:
- When I learned to write my own
name.
- When I won an award for being the
outstanding volunteer in my community.
- For each success you have listed,
identify the skills and competencies you used.
Examples:
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- “Schmoozing”
? Also, for each success you list, jot
down why you found that experience satisfying. Examples:
- Stretched myself in new ways
- Got a lot of recognition
- Made a contribution to something I
felt was worthwhile
A Fresh Perspective
Whether you are looking for a job or not, revealing the many
strengths you have (Note: Many women underestimate their
abilities) can give you a fresh perspective. …..So, celebrate
yourself! It builds self-confidence – a significant element in
the process of building a new life after divorce.
An Undeniably Valuable Asset
In future articles, I will give out additional advice and share more
effective techniques to include in a job-hunting game plan. In
the meantime, it would be well to focus on the wisdom your stage
of life makes possible. Consider the insight of this Chinese
proverb, To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
‘Knowing the road ahead’ will be an undeniably valuable asset to
offer a prospective employer.
Get
personal help in a Divorce Coaching Club. Click
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Contact Judy at:
judy@judysmithdivorcecoach.com
About the author: Judy Smith,
personal coach and founder of The Center for Planned Change,
focuses her practice on helping women over 50 create a new life
after divorce.
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