Reflections on a Successful, Often Sleepless, Job Search

My protracted season of underemployment is coming to an end. The people in my life are relieved to hear that I will soon be employed full-time. To them, this is an encouraging sign that the economy is turning the corner.

 

Reflecting on these past months, I think: What have I learned?

 

The Power of One

 

Throughout this job search experience, I’ve learned that often it’s the one tip, one idea or one contact packing the most value. Even just one of these factors can make the difference. Here’s an example: I just finished reading a lengthy book about interviewing questions. In it, I found an invaluable nugget: a single paragraph that addressed a particular question I had been struggling with: Why do you feel you can be successful in this position? Serendipitously, this very question came up in a recent interview.

 

With a little reflection beforehand, I outlined my interest in the company’s industry and its market vision. Then, I capped it off with a concrete example, aligning my product development skills with the employer’s needs. 

 

Embrace the Unknown

 

Allowing yourself to be open to possibilities is another significant takeaway. In the employment search, you might dismiss different industries or types of jobs as unsuitable or out-of-reach. But by venturing into unfamiliar areas, new possibilities may present themselves. When I volunteered at a global conference on green matters, for instance, I made networking connections that I never would have in my routine job search.

 

Keep Laughing, or at Least Smiling

 

Approach the whole unemployment process with a measure of humor. True, it is not easy finding humor in looking for work every day, but on the whole, keeping perspective is a healthy thing to do. Finding friends in the same boat helps too. I met many people from diverse backgrounds through my job search networking groups, and I count them as friends well beyond the job search.

 

Keep Your Skills Sharp and Contacts Close

 

Lastly, I have come to terms with the nature of employment in the 21st century. No matter where my work journey takes me, I am basically a long-term consultant, even if I am called a full-time employee. That’s why keeping my job skills and networking contacts current is crucial for any “next” employment phase.

 

Whether mid-stream or close to the end of your job search, what's been your most valuable lesson?

 

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