Proactive Job Search Series: Part 1

What to do when your search is 6-12 months away…

I talk a lot about a “proactive job search.” So, what does that even mean?

Here’s what it’s not…

Applying cold to job postings where you don’t have a contact.

Only focusing on opportunities that come to you via recruiters, colleagues and your well meaning family who collectively have no idea what you do.

Instead, a proactive job search is…

When you define your terms and priorities, then you network to find companies and roles that align with those terms. You build relationships at those companies–so when they have the right role that’s a fit for you–they think of you and consider you above other candidates. At a more senior level, it often looks like organizations creating the right role for you (yes!).

Sounds simple and yes it’s an approach that takes time. Yet–it delivers results and careers that are on your terms, in your words, designed by you. Think meaning, fulfillment, agency.

In this set of four emails, I will be addressing:

1. What to do when your search is 6-12 months away

2. How to proactively search when your timeline is immediate

3. What to do when you have a tiny network

4. What does progress look like?

Ideally, you want to get ahead and start connecting with people when the transition is just a sparkle of an idea that seems far off in the future. Frankly, it’s never too early to start connecting with your network–and you should be doing it even when you’re content in your role.

So, that’s where we’re starting in our series.

If your job search feels at least 6 months to a year out, here are some of the questions you can ask yourself…

• What do I want to learn in my career? (hint: what feels energizing to learn rather than what feels like a “should’ or “have to.”)

• Who do I know who does some of what I want to learn in their past or current roles?

• What companies do I want to learn more about?

• Who do I know at these companies that I can connect with?

• Who do I know who can connect me to people at these companies?

• Who are my mentors and advocates who want to help me?

Now, do a brain download of all of the people who come to mind. First on a piece of paper and then, if you’re anything like me, you’ll feel discomfort until you wrangle these contacts into a spreadsheet.

Start reaching out to the folks on the list with a target of setting up 1-2 meetings a month. Always have a goal for your conversation and think about who these people might be able to introduce you to.

At this point, you’re looking to continue to expand your network and get closer to the answer to question number one. What do I want to learn?

I highly recommend finding an accountability partner who has a similar timeline. Set up monthly conversations where you can discuss the meetings you’ve had, what’s currently scheduled for the coming month, what’s coming out of these chats and what dots you’re connecting about what could be next for you.

In Part 2, I’ll talk more about the scenario of when you find yourself in an active job search and you’re looking to switch from a reactive to a proactive approach…at lightning speed!

Happy connecting!

How to Tame your Impostor Syndrome

Sometimes when I’m prepping a client for an interview, it’s clear – they’ve done their homework..

Elevator pitch ✅
STAR  stories ✅

How many tennis balls fit into a limousine? Kidding – we don’t prep for that one anymore. 

They know their stuff and yet, it’s not landing when we do a mock interview. Or they’re sweating through a 2nd shirt. 

That’s when we take a step back and look at what’s truly getting in the way. 

It sounds like…

Why would they want me when there are so many other candidates? 

I don’t have every bullet in the job description. 

Am I even [INSERT ANY COMPANY NAME} material?

In these moments, I say with all the love and compassion, what’s holding you back here is not your expertise or your level of talent (which is typically off the charts).

It’s the dreaded impostor syndrome. 

It’s that part of you that doesn’t believe you’re worthy of this role. 

The eight-year old part who didn’t get every answer right on the worksheet and was scolded by a parent, a teacher or a competitive kid. 

She’s scared. She's stomping her feet to stop you from taking a chance on doing anything that is not perfection. With the sweat and racing heart, she’s trying to redirect you to safety. 

But you – you know that these are the moments you pull yourself out of the game. When you don’t go for the promotion or the public speaking opportunity. 

And you promised yourself that you’re ready to break this pattern. To step forward, even when it’s messy. Especially when it’s messy. 

So you sit this 8 year old you down in that chair that everyone fights over in your childhood home. 

And you give her a hot cocoa with as many marshmallows as she wants and you say – Little me, we’re ok. 

Somebody should have told you, you can do your best and you can get some answers wrong and you will still be smart and lovable and worthy of getting that VP of Marketing role. OK, that last part may not make too much sense, but trust me it will some day. 

You can say all the things you needed to hear then and are still hungry for now. You can breathe through whatever feelings come up and know you will have to say these things again and again to make them stick. 

But it’s worth it. You’re worth it, sweaty pits, imperfect answers and all. 

A Love Letter to My Network

I’m filled with gratitude, because my network is generous, open, responsive – and cool AF.

I’m a connector to my core so I get an adrenaline hit when I curate pairs of humans I know will appreciate each other and learn from even a simple half hour conversation.

And my network shows up!

Whether it’s former clients talking to new clients about how the process worked for them.

Or former colleagues at my clients’ target companies – talking about culture, leadership and the day to day of a role.

The number of connections I’m able to make a week is one of my favorite parts of the job.

So thank you for your time.

Thank you for paying it forward if you’ve been helped in your career transition.

Thank you for normalizing that it’s ok and even exciting to want something new.

I appreciate you and all that you are offering to my clients who have no idea how they will find the right connection to what’s next in their career.

I often find that right connection with you and in you.

And if you’re still looking to meet some new people in the Brooklyn area this month – I’m having what will most likely be my last Career Walk and Talk of 2024 and this time we’re doing a lunch edition.

We’ll be meeting…

Wednesday, November 20th at 12pm ET at Prospect Park, 3rd street entrance
(We’re keeping it to 60 minutes this time.)

Vote + Take Action + Take Care

Many of us have been waiting for, talking about, losing our freaking minds over this day for more than a year now. 

And, it’s here. 

I know you’re not thinking about your career today. It’s ok. 

It will be there for you tomorrow. Today is not the day for you to be brainstorming about your next move or the upcoming networking conversations you’re going to have. 

Instead, here’s what you can do:

Vote

If you’ve already voted early, go you! If you haven’t voted yet, make a plan, bring your kids with you, wait in line with a buddy. Just. Vote! Here’s the link to find your polling place if you’re unclear: https://vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site

Take Action

I find I’m more optimistic and less stressed when I’m taking action, rather than listening to the thousandth podcast episode about today’s poll. This election may come down to HUNDREDS of votes in swing states. Phone bank or knock doors. Reach out to 3 people you know in swing states to see if they voted. Offer to help elderly neighbors to get to the polls. Doing something will help you make it through this day.

Take Care

Find your people. Hold them tight. Be in community, if you can. Breathe. Focus on what you can control. Listen to a free election-related meditation from Headspace, go for a walk or run, do some yoga or perhaps now might be the moment to try out kickboxing. Moving your body will help you release stress and find moments of joy in a tough day. 

But most of all – show yourself compassion and grace for what happens and doesn’t happen today. You are human. This is hard. There’s so much at stake right now – and I’m right there with you.