Feeling A Little Stuck Post-Graduation?
Does it seem like everyone but you already has their dream job? And knows what their “passion” is while you still haven’t found yours?
The truth is that the average time from graduation to landing a job is 7 months and that passion is often the result of putting in the hours to discover what you really love to do.
Here is a four-step process to help move you forward:
STEP 1: IDENTIFYING YOUR PERSONAL O.S.
Start with these 3 key questions to understand how your personal operating system works best.
Question #1: What are your top 3 areas of professional interest? Think about what you’d like to be doing if you could just wave a wand and make it happen. Or think about what fields or sectors - healthcare, sports, fashion, or music, for example - you’d like to be working in. List your answers on a page, and try not to judge your responses!
Question #2: What are the 3 skills and talents that you bring to every role, that are part of what makes you… you? Digital and programming skills? Relationship building? Project management? Great communication skills? Thinking fast on your feet?
On a separate page make two columns:
In the first column, list the skills you know you have, highlighting the things you do best and leave you engaged and energized. Include role-specific skills (programming, writing, etc.), as well as non-role-specific skills (creativity, tenacity, etc.).
In the second column, list the value and benefit each of those skills can offer an employer, i.e., your digital skills can help an organization elevate its online presence, your strong relationship building techniques can improve customer engagement, etc.
Question #3: Now dig deeper. What are the 3 words that describe your values, your motivation, the reason “why” you do what you do? Not sure? What would your best friend, partner, or mom say about you?
What and who inspires me?
Where have I been the most motivated, and what was I doing?
What difference do I want to make through my work?
What accomplishments have I been most proud of?
What matters to me? Is it self-expression, helping others, streamlining systems, developing solutions, being part of the action, building wealth?
What experiences have you had that have satisfied that motivation?
List your responses on a third page and look for themes or common threads.
Pro tip: Many clients have professional or academic mentor, sports coach, or family member who knows them at their best. A trusted resource can often offer insight and wise counsel. Schedule a time to discuss your thoughts, findings, and ideas with them. Here is a piece I wrote re some other tools on this topic.
STEP 2: NAILING YOUR TARGET JOB DESCRIPTION
Experts agree that people with specific, measurable goals have a greater chance of achieving them. This isn’t magic: it’s a fact that the more specific and clear you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it.
That means the best first step to future success in a job search is creating and using a Target Job Description. Having a TJD allows you to take control:
Opportunities are NOT confined to job boards and search firms. With a clear idea of where you’re heading you can search more efficiently.
It is an essential talking point in your networking efforts. Communicating your targets gives key contacts something specific to focus on to support you.
It will guide you in making sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are optimized for your specific job search.
It will support the depth of the conversations you’re having with those in a position to hire you.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect or your forever job, just the right direction for you now.
Using the answers to the questions in Step 1 above as search terms, gather 4–5 target job descriptions from LinkedIn, Google, Handshake, Indeed, or other job search platforms. Find something that is in the fields you’ve listed, doing some of the things that you would like to do right now.
Be realistic about where you are in your career trajectory: ideally you need to hit 7 out of 10 skills needed.
Pro tip: the key to success here is to make sure your resume & LinkedIn profile matches the requirements for the jobs that match your perfect job description!
STEP 3: CREATING YOUR SELLING STATEMENT
This is the answer to “tell me about yourself,” the question asked in almost every interview and networking conversation. Being prepared - with clarity and confidence – to outline your own Professional Value Proposition is the key to successful interviews and productive networking sessions! It’s an opportunity to give a two-minute advertisement about your background, your accomplishments, and the importance of what you do, especially as it relates to them.
The goal is to turn the question into the beginning of a deeper conversation and a deeper relationship. So, keep these three key objectives in mind: engage your audience, establish credibility, and tell them why they should care. Tailor your reply to the person who is asking and find ways to connect your experience and expertise to their needs and interests.
Pro tip: If the brand name of your current company or your university will pop, mention it up front. If your life experience, awards, or projects demonstrate your value-added, make sure to include them.
STEP 4: EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK
The bottom line: networking works. Here’s why you should seize every opportunity:
The 1.2% return rate for online job application submissions means that searching online is not an efficient way of getting noticed and landing a job
80% of jobs are never advertised
Today’s automated and algorithm-driven Applicant Tracking Systems are designed to benefit employers looking to eliminate - not find - candidates
Networking is 3 times more likely to get you a job than applying directly
The college-to-career process is a daunting one. You can pre-game it though - and lay the foundation for future professional success - by learning how to work the key relationships you have and identifying the knowledgeable professionals you’d like to know.
Finding a job is all about “warm” contacts who can refer you: people who are familiar with your skills, strengths, and professional goals and will answer a phone call or email. You actually have more contacts than you realize! I suggest to clients that they think about:
Academic & alumni contacts and networks
Charitable organizations and community service
Sports club and gym friends
Religious or spiritual communities
Extended family and friends of friends
Even clients who say they know “no one” often find they have a robust network after this exercise. Remember, these contacts have their own circles of influence; it’s this extended reach you are looking to tap into. Here are some suggestions re outreach.
Pro tip: always be on the lookout for possibilities to expand your network through volunteer roles you find stimulating. I have many clients who found roles this way especially in the areas of not for profit, government, and education sectors.
CONCLUSION
You don’t need a crystal ball to launch your career more quickly or successfully. You need a process. Finding a job IS your job now so consider 9-5 “office hours.” Start with finding your inner compass, developing a thoughtful marketing plan to identify your target and how you can articulate your value to a perspective employer or contact, and then maintain a disciplined, consistent plan of action moving forward.
Yes, there will be bumps on the road that you’ll learn from, but there will also be plenty of wins and rewards for your focus and hard work.
Use your resources, find your cheerleaders, and remember: