A Checklist for Transition

The Success of Your Job Search Depends on How Well You Do Your Planning

Any trip we take usually starts with planning – and so should your journey to your next job. Unfortunately, I often see individuals attempting to jump straight to the destination without the proper planning and preparation. They rush to update their resumes without taking the time to consider options. They frantically start "dialing for jobs" - calling friends and colleagues to see if anyone knows of a job opening - without a clear message of what they have to offer. Yes, an updated resume will be required. And yes, networking is key to finding a job. But should these be the first activities on a job seeker’s To Do List? I say no, and here’s why.

Reflection

Before rushing out to find the new job, it’s important to take the time to consider your current state. Did you get laid off and are you still in shock or dealing with anger? If you are, this is certainly not the time to be on the phone trying to land an interview. Who knows what an interviewer can get you to say under these emotional conditions?

Have you just learned that your division has been acquired by another firm and your new employer is planning to eliminate your position? Not the best strategy to update your resume with a focus on only looking for a job just like the one you just lost. What’s the market like for this position? Are employers hiring in this area, or should you be considering transitioning your skills and experience to a different industry or line of work?

Job loss comes with a certain degree of trauma and chaos. But it also provides an equally important opportunity to step back, reflect on what you know about yourself, your skills, and your work preferences in order to put together a successful strategy for achieving your purpose: navigating the journey to the right job.

Planning

Proper planning can help you address your job search needs while managing the emotional rollercoaster that usually tags along with the announcement of a job loss. Consider this checklist of To Do’s as you prioritize what to do when:

• Finances – Review your financial situation and consider your options. Do you need to take on a part-time job while you’re looking for your next career position? How can you stretch your savings to supplement your unemployment benefits or severance? How can you fund some of the job search expenses you will have? Clarity about financial needs will also help you determine and orchestrate the intensity required of you in managing your job search activities in order to achieve the necessary results.
• Computer - All job seekers need access to a computer. So if the company’s computer was your primary computer, you’ll need to decide if you can buy a new one or get access through your local library or State Labor Department.
• Phone - The same is true for your phone as your computer. You can live without a mobile phone for a while if you still have a land line. Just make sure that you have reliable phone service and that your recorded message sounds professional and reflects the image you want to transmit.
• Email Address – You need a personal email address that is professional. If you don’t have one, get one. Don’t use the company email system for sending and receiving job inquiries. Take the appropriate steps to establish yourself as a serious job seeker who has planned and implemented a professional job search strategy.
• Self-reflection – While you’re dealing with these technology issues, begin to think about the competencies you have been acquiring over your career. What relevant skills and experiences do you have to offer? How can these talents and skills transfer into a new line of work – opening doors you might not have considered in the past? Don’t assume you want to look for a position just like the one you just left. Focus on what positions the market is seeking and how you can reinvent yourself to fit.
• Image – Do you have an appropriate interview outfit? If not, start looking for sales. Remember, you can’t "redo" your first impression. Make sure your image sends the right message: "I’m professional." You’ll probably need two interview outfits as well as few appropriate "business casual" outfits for networking.
• Business cards – Finding a job is a job! You now have your own company and the product you are selling is YOU! Every salesperson has a business card. You can easily design and print cards from companies such as Vistaprint, or work with a graphics designer at your local office supply store. Your business card should contain all the usual contact information, as well as a few bullets highlighting your key skills, certifications, type of work you’re looking for, etc. They don’t have to be expensive – just professional. Link your card style with your branding.
• Network – The first step in networking is organizing who you know. One way to think about contacts is to think of the people you know by categories: co-workers (present as well as former), neighbors, family members, people you exercise with, the parents of the children your children go to school with, etc. List names along with phone numbers and email addresses. Build this list in WORD or Excel so it will be easy for you to keep notes on who you talked with and what follow up actions you need to take.
• LinkedIn – LinkedIn is certainly recognized as the professional networking site. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, establish one. Again think about how you are branding yourself, and keep the information professional. Utilize the features of LinkedIn to help you connect with others, get introductions, and share appropriate updates. Be careful with what you post and don’t forget about managing your privacy. .Identity theft is a serious and real problem.
• 30-second commercial – Now you’re ready to start reaching out to your friends and colleagues. Develop a brief overview of what you have to offer, what help you’re looking for, and include a request for the names and contact information for others you should contact. Be able to say all of that in about 30-60 seconds. Don’t get too detailed that you lose the interest of your contact, but be specific enough so they understand what you need them to do. Once you have scripted your commercial, and this will probably take a few versions, practice it until you can say it in a conversational style without referring to your notes.
• Research - Now it’s time to consider the geography in which you want to live and commute. Research the job market within your identified radius and consider how your passions, experiences and competencies align with what those employers are looking for.
• Armed with your market research, together with what you’ve learned about yourself through self-reflection exercises you are now ready to update your resume. Once you’ve got a solid draft prepared, it will be appropriate to begin calling your friends and colleagues to let them know you are in transition, that you’d appreciate their feedback on your resume draft, and can they spend some time brainstorming with you about other people they know that you might be able to talk with about your job search. Remember, you want to speak with anyone that might know someone who, on occasion, hires someone with your skill set.

Hopefully by the time you get through working on your resume, as well as your checklist, you will find yourself spending more time looking forward to the future, rather than being angry, depressed, or frustrated with the past. This is now the time to start practicing your interview techniques by answering traditional and behavioral interview questions.

The journey to your next job can be thoughtful, enlightening, and purposeful, or it can be an unfocused, chaotic trip. Take the time to do your planning; and then work your plan. Just like any business, you need a strategic plan, systems, supplies and a good product in order to attract customers. Be kind to yourself on this trip. Make sure you are purposeful in setting your daily and weekly goals, but also manage your time by including exercise, fun events, and time for stress relief. Job search can be challenging. Be patient, focused, and look for ways to learn more about yourself with every passing mile. You’ll be a better employee when you reach your destination if you do. Best of luck!

As always, I welcome your comments to my article. Please share your thoughts below. If you found this article helpful, I appreciate you sharing it with others. Have a great week.
　

This article was written by Deborah A King, SPHR, CEO and Career Coach with Evolution Management, Inc. Debbie and her team are energized about helping individuals plan and navigate their journey to a new career and can help you plan for successful change. Contact Debbie for more information: debbie@evolutionmgt.com or 770.587.9032.