Job hunting in a time of pandem(ic)onium!! (or any time really)

Ok – a rare serious blog from me.  I have been giving talks to people on the live register for the last eight years (mostly for my good friends in Jobcare) so I thought that I would share my thoughts here for whatever they are worth.  They may be worth very little and I have never had a problem with that kind of feedback as it proves people are really thinking about their job search and figuring out what might work best for them.

So, with that health warning in mind, these are my top tips for job hunting.  Hopefully they will strike a chord with some people in these strange times we live in, but in reality my advice hasn’t changed much from last year when Ireland was effectively at full employment!  I’ll have to restrict myself to bullet points in the main as I usually talk for an hour and a quarter solid and even at that I have to be dragged off the stage!!

I have two big tips and a few other helpful thoughts and observations so let’s just jump straight into the big stuff.

• Network Network Network – For anyone who has ever worked, particularly those over 35 then your network is the greatest asset you have.  You are far more likely to get your next job from your network than from any other source.  Even in these times you can renew and refresh your network using LinkedIn, social media, Zoom, the phone and where possible, meetings in person.

Your network can help with referrals, recommendations, introductions, coaching on how companies work and alerts to vacancies.  It’s important you tell people what you are trying to achieve so they are better able to help.  Start by reviewing your network and prioritizing those most likely to be able to help you, and don’t forget to add new relevant contacts.

As an earlier blog of mine pointed out, there is a world of people out there willing and waiting to help.

• It’s not about you!! – This is a huge one for me and by far the biggest mistake people make when applying and interviewing.  Human nature dictates that we see everything through our eyes and this is what leads us to wondering how we didn’t get called for interview or didn’t get the job after we ‘nailed’ an interview.  We tend to forget that there are of course other great people in the mix who are also well qualified and rehearsed.  My key point is that what candidates need to do is to consider everything they do from the other person’s perspective.

Before you submit a CV and cover letter remember that what you want to say is not what matters, what matters is what the reader wants to read!  Frequently there is a huge overlap between the two which is great but don’t miss out on a chance to make a really great point because you never thought about what the employer wants.  Same rules apply to an interview.  We all have success stories and achievements we want to highlight at an interview but again, stand back and ask yourself, “is this important to the interviewer”.  If you put yourself in the other person’s shoes you are far more likely to say what they want to hear.

And remember, in this world where machines may be used to make a preliminary scan of your CVs that even algorithms are programmed by people!!

• Less is more – I’ll be brief here, apply for less jobs but make much better applications.  Do your research, make sure your application has a chance and check who in your network might be able to help you with advice, insights or an introduction.

• Mind your language – I have already discussed putting yourself in the other person’s shoes when applying.  But how does this work in practice?  So, some practical examples;

1. Use the job advert / job spec to figure out what words are important to the client, what are the key skills, the big challenges – and then mirror those words back in your application and at interview
   1. Research the company website, PR, company reports etc. to see what language they use to describe their company, mission, values and strategy – then use that language to make them feel very comfortable
   1. Look out for specific terms you can use (or avoid), a great example is Credit Unions whose customers are called ‘members’ and they hate it when you refer to them as anything else.  So it is a schoolkid error to interview for a CU and rabbit on about borrowers, depositors, debtors, customers, clients etc etc
   1. Another general example is to be aware of the type of organization you are applying to – a start-up or SME may be scared off by your proud boasts of managing a team of 50 with a €10m budget while a charity will be far more focused on delivering a vocational service than making a profit.

• No excess baggage – We can all feel aggrieved when looking for a job.  Maybe we were shafted or bullied in a previous role, maybe we blame the Government for Covid or sharp practice that put our last company out of business.  The important thing to remember is that your next employer doesn’t care about any of that.  They only care about themselves and they want to know what you can do for them (usually either making them money or saving them money!).

So, my advice is that no matter how you got where you are today, bury the baggage and start painting a very positive uplifting picture of your life to date.  If you think about it, it won’t surprise you that employers want positive, upbeat, balanced and happy people in their workforce.  So no matter how legitimate your grudge is, don’t be tricked into spilling the beans.  If asked about your last role talk about your colleagues, clients, the fun, the events, the diploma you got, the upskilling etc etc.

• Flip the coin – Anything that might appear like a disadvantage can be turned to your advantage with a bit of thought – a few of my favourites;
  • Currently unemployed = immediately available
  • Old = experienced, seen it all, huge contact list etc.
  • Minded kids for last 6 years = very motivated, grounded, ready to roll
  • No experience in this industry = fresh perspective and thinking

• Open to anything – While this is a good standpoint when you are being approached it is a very bad starting point for your proactive job search.  It is best to have a firm idea of where your next job is likely to come from as this can dictate your internet activity, networking, research etc.  If you are ‘open’ then what are you going to do first thing when you wake up tomorrow?

• Stay motivated – This is the easiest one, there is not alternative!  You will fail, you may fail often but you will also succeed so the sooner you pick yourself back up, follow the rules above and get back in the game the sooner you will get that job.

• What job? – My position on this is clear, if you are offered any work, at any pay, take it!!  It is a step up from where you are now.  It demonstrates values and commitment to earning your keep and it could be the first step on the road to things you didn’t even know you wanted.

I hope some people find some of that useful.  Happy to chat to people or respond to individual queries when time permits.  If you have questions on any of the above or scenarios I didn’t discuss, please feel free to ask.  Good luck!!