Job searching is exhausting.
Words like “uncertainty,” “time-consuming,” “rejection,” and “fear” might come to mind for some when reflecting on the process as a whole. Some might approach this process with more excitement for new experiences, challenges, and opportunity that is yet to come. But no matter, it is truly an emotional journey.
As a Talent Consultant for entreQuest, I live in the world of job searching all day long. Every day, the Talent Consultants speak with candidates who have a listening (or active) ear to new career opportunities. And what’s really exciting, we might play a part in potentially altering a path in that candidate’s career. It might seem obvious to point out, but a person’s job affects their identity and sense of self, their growth on both a personal and professional level, their fulfillment of their greater purpose and the accompanying impact they hope to have on the world, their financial goals, their contribution to their household income, their overall health and more. AKA IT’S A BIG FLIPPING DEAL!!!
For that exact reason, we, as Talent Consultants, do not take our role in this job search process lightly in the slightest. But for that same reason, it is critical each candidate, both passive and active, approach the possibility of making a change with all of this in mind, which is why it is critical to follow these four guidelines in order to get into a healthy job search mindset:
Reflect on why you entered this interview process in the first place – What made you answer that LinkedIn message? What prompted your interest in the Indeed job posting you had applied to? Why exactly did your eyes perk up when your friend told you about an open position at their awesome company that you hear so much about? In each of these situations, there is a decision that you made – to put yourself out there to learn more. Good for you!
From here, you know exactly why you made that decision and don’t forget it. Whether it’s the desire for more opportunity for growth, expanded responsibilities, increased compensation, a shorter commute, or more flexibility, you need to be able to articulate them – and don’t forget them either. I’ve seen in numerous circumstances candidates will take the time and energy go through a robust interview process, receive an offer, but for whatever reason, they can’t pull the trigger, even when the opportunity checks all of the right boxes. As you go through each stages of interviews, reflect on what you are seeking and how this opportunity fits into that picture.
Approach each conversation with positivity – For those job seekers who might be working in an unsatisfactory environment, whether it’s for a challenging manager or in a role that is unfulfilling or simply not a fit, it might be easy to wear your emotions on your sleeve. But, make it easy for yourself and check your emotions at the door or at the start of any interview. The last thing a potential employer wants to hear is a soapbox of all of the reasons why you dislike your current position/company. Most interviews start with a discussion about why you entered the conversation in the first place. Starting in a negative place is hard to come back from. It will distract you from the task at hand – to learn more about the possibilities to come. State your peace in a tactful way, use it as a way to articulate what it is that you are looking for, and segue way into what made you interested in the opportunity at hand. It will show you are more focused on the possibilities to come.
Accept the fact the time to make a job change is never going to be perfect – In the midst of a major project? Is your team short-staffed? Are you expecting a bonus in a few months? Are you about to close a big deal? There will always be an endless list of reasons as to why the timing is utterly terrible. And, news flash: that list won’t go away. So accept it and commit to the fact you will do everything in your power to support the transition if/when it happens.
Know your must-haves and nice-to-haves when it comes to compensation, benefits, relocation assistance, etc. and stick to them – This might seem like a no-brainer, but this is critical. Know exactly where you need to be from a compensation perspective to support your existing financials and what luxuries you might be willing to live without if considering a decrease in pay. Many job seekers say that they are flexible, are looking at the full picture of the opportunity, etc., but do yourself a favor and be specific in explaining where you need to be. Do you have a medical condition that requires costly treatment? Request the healthcare benefits earlier in the process. Remember, great healthcare coverage contributes to your overall compensation, so make yourself educated on the differential between your existing and potential healthcare costs.
For candidates considering an out-of-state opportunity, be upfront in your first phone interview and explain what relocation would require. Do you have a house to sell or a lease to break? Do you have a significant other who would need to potentially find a new job? Do you have children you would need to pull out of school? Paint the full picture from the start, and start doing research to make that vision a possible reality. To make things that much easier for you, write down your must-haves and nice-to-haves to ensure that you are being consistent. In all, the last thing that you want to do is to make an eleventh hour request when negotiating a job offer. So simply know what you need and what you would like as early in the process as possible to make the consideration process that much more productive.
If you can successfully keep these in mind when searching for a job you will undoubtedly enter the process with the right mindset. And a properly adjusted mindset is a big factor of your search. It shows in your confidence when interviewing that you know exactly what you want. Keep your head on straight when navigating all the open jobs out there, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect fit for you.
