Your Next Job Search Doesnt Need to Be Painful - CareerEnlightenment.com

Here’s what that means in practice:Attend networking events: There’s no easier way to connect with other professionals (and prospective employers) in your field. Meet a dozen or more quality contacts in an hour!Do informational interviews: Connect and learn from influencers in your field of interest. You can uncover huge opportunities in just a 20-30 minute meeting.Volunteer: There’s no better way to showcase your passion and skills. Find a volunteer opportunity that allows you to utilize your professional abilities. You shouldn’t expect to get a job from the organization you’re volunteering with; but you’re value will be on full display to influencers in your community.Each of these activities will grow and strengthen your professional network. You’ll be among the first to know about new job openings and become a go-to referral for relevant work opportunities.Remember… eight out of 10 jobs are filled through professional networks. If you’re not constantly building your network, you’re missing out on 80 percent of all the jobs out there!Why aren’t you doing what works?When I share this information with job seekers, I often get one of three responses. I’ll share these with you, along with my typical rebuttal.“This isn’t fair. It’s not meritocratic.” I empathize with this sentiment. It’s true that a well-connected candidate is often better positioned than one who is perfectly qualified. But these two qualities are not mutually exclusive. In today’s job market, you need to be both connected and qualified, otherwise you’re just another anonymous resume.“I’m too shy to network. Networking is only for extroverts.” This is 100% not true. Networking is a learned skilljust like riding a bike or learning a new language. There are some basic rules and it takes practice, but anyone can become a good networker.I know this because I was not a born networker. In fact, I was painfully shy until my mid-20s, when I learned strategies to excel in professional networking. (Believe it or not, I now LOVE to get out there and meet new people.)“I don’t have time to do what you’re talking about.” Again, I understand this feeling. We’ve all got busy lives! But there are plenty of ways to integrate professional networking into your existing schedule.Here’s just one example. Almost all professionals have some time off for lunch, but many times we end up eating alone our desk. Why not use this time to build a professional relationship over some sushi?More fundamentally, consider thisThe average job search takes between two and six months; and searches generally take longer as you progress through your career.One reason they take so long is because people are stuck in the self-defeating job search process I described above. They only look for jobs online and then struggle to pigeonhole their resumes into any position of interest. They are relying on one of the least-effective methods of finding a job!   Buildi ng up your professional network significantly shortens the length of your job search. You’ll uncover more job opportunities that align with your real interests and you’ll have an inside referral that gives you an inside edge in the application process.If time is an important factor for you, plugging into the hidden job market is the fastest and most-reliable way to find a job you’ll love.In my upcoming online course, Hack the Hidden Job Market, I teach everything you need to know to build strong professional connections that kick start your job search and propel your career.   I’ll take you, step-by-step through the process, from how to make the most of networking events, to conducting informational interviews, to closing the deal with employers.   The course launches November 1.