Starting a job search - these 4 questions will guide you.
Over the years, I find a pattern when individuals start their job search. Most begin by jumping in to “update my resume!” This is an important step, but might not be the most effective FIRST step. For some, the job search and offers proceed friction-less. We work with many individuals, students and early career professionals, who wrestle with some common challenges.
To tackle this, let’s build a better foundations with the 4 things to do first, to begin your job search right.
As I was sitting this weekend and reflecting on some travel plans for the end of the year, I was reminded that the first planning steps are key.
When you go to plan a a vacation…the first step is not to book your hotel, plane tickets, or pack your suitcase! Typically not…although I did once book tickets to Fiji before any other plans were made to get to fly on miles! But, I’m talking here normally.
To plan our end of year travel - I need a general plan. Where to go? What is our vacation interest - active, relaxing, beach, city, new place, familiar place, drive, fly, etc.
Let’s say for example, I asked you to give me advice for my vacation and I say, “I’d like to go west.” That is a direction but wow, from where I sit in Chicago, there is a LOT of space west. Do we go to Canada, Seattle, Portland, California…you get the point. And, I might not yet know even if you ask me - because I’ve not thought out what might be fun for us.
This is what many individuals do in the job search. “I want to look for a new job!” That is the equivalent of “I want to go west!” It makes it hard to fine tune your plans (in a job search, it is preparation) to be effective. For those who want a change of scenery or adventure (aka, a career change), this upfront planning is crucial.
4 planning questions to head your job search in the right direction.
Goals // Best professional fit
Current experience // Alignment and gaps
Current state // What is missing right now
Ideas // What do you want to do next, without constraint
Question 1 // What is your best professional fit?
I like asking this question because it gives you a sense of clarity. If you can speak easily - “I want to engage with teams, solve complex problems, work with customers, and work in X industry” you have a strong foundation. If this does not come easily, then note you want to do more thinking, reflection. It is different for different people.
It is better to be specific here. To have criteria. To start to align to the requirements of a job. Here are some example criteria/prompts:
Functional area: Marketing, research, policy, law, accounting, marketing, recruiting
Industry: Technology (Software, hardware, e-commerce, etc.), healthcare (providers, med devices), automotive (e-vehicles, suppliers), Consulting (strategy, technology), etc.
Location: City, State, Region, Country - how close/far to family, are you open to travel?
Compensation: KNOW YOUR MARKET VALUE ($$$). Too many people leave this to the end and then, “negotiate” from an offer. Define this upfront, saves a lot of time and frustration along the way!
Company culture: Focused on sustainability, high performing, contribute to an issue in our society, etc. Define what is important to you.
Kind of work you want to do: Do you want to advise, make stuff, run numbers, bring ideas to life, finance things, pursue scientific discovery. This need not be complicated, but put ideas down!
Personal needs: Commute, hours, remote work, child care/elder care, strong benefits, cultural awareness, visa sponsorship, and more. Know yourself!
The key here is to put this down on paper. Grab a notebook or your favorite electronic writer.
Job fit is unique to you
Think about your situation. Others can influence this assessment. Just be conscious about your needs and the needs of others you are trying to satisfy.
Question 2 // What is your current experience?
It is valuable to get a current assessment of your skills, experience, expertise, and education. Often, we work on recency theory - the stuff now (last week!) is what is most valuable. Your experience, academics, and training are like a quilt. The pieces form a very important presentation of who you are as a professional and your value to a future employer.
Also, there may be stuff you DON’T want to do going forward. Thus, an inventory here is valuable.
I was speaking to someone recently and we did this assessment:
What industries have you worked in?
What roles and titles have you held?
Have you been promoted, have you moved internally?
Your education, what is special/unique about it (Some schools are hidden gems!)?
What are you known for - what problems do you solve?
What technical skills do you have and rate them (1 to 10)?
What would people say are your super powers?
What do you NOT want to do in your work going forward?
What do you do that is both challenging and interesting for you?
What is the profile of people around you, above you, in roles you might look at?
The great part of these questions —> what you do with the information! Put the quilt together. What pattern does it create? Don’t tax yourself but, ask what does this mean. Also, it can be valuable here to talk with a friend, mentor, business manager, career coach. What does the pattern say about potential opportunities?
Here is an example. I was speaking to someone who works in Higher Education, in Financial Aid. There are great skills and experiences developed in this role. What are the patterns? Academic advising, roles at a company like SoFi, university recruiting, roles that involve auditing skills, etc. The value here is to think about what you do vs. purely your job title. This is particularly important for those seeking a career change (role and/or industry).
Don’t be defined by your job title.
Every organization has different job titles. Focus on the KSAs you have (Knowledge, skills, and abilities). What is your quilt of experience!
Question 3 // What is missing right now?
This can be a hot question. Many of you might be raw with emotion, grievances, and wanting to make up for sins of the past. Fair. Get it out, talk to your BFFs, and go get some air. Now, sit down and do an analysis.
Put what is missing into categories:
Fulfillment and impact // How does what you do connect to a bigger picture?
Advocacy and support // Do your boss and bosses boss see you advancing or moving?
Compensation and reward // Are you paid as you should be? Do you have solid benefits?
Team culture and spirit // Are you working as we, do you know what your team goals are?
Learning and growth // Are you getting better, gaining experience, growing how you want to grow?
Flexibility and need // Do you have what you need to excel at your job? Again, this is personal.
I am going to take a clinical view here. Business is business. On the employer side, I want you to be engaged and productive. I also have business to get done and might not be able to focus on your fulfillment each and every day. Employers are imperfect…to say the least. Some better than others.
Don’t over-build your situation. Evaluate it. Even the “best” employers don’t retain 100% of their people. We as individuals change, want new things, see new opportunities. I believe in mutuality of employment - we are good together when aligned. But, it is not a “forever” commitment. Just saying…
At times to, we think the grass is greener. The greener grass is at a new company! That can be hard too. I can speak from my own career experiences - grass is different, sometimes greener, sometimes weeds too, they just might be hidden.
Take time to think about what is missing. Dig in and understand what you are solving for in your next role. In a later step, we will ask if what is missing can be found in the current organization?
Inventory what is missing
This becomes the criteria for your job search - what you are seeking. To allow you to clarify and focus.
Question 4 // What ideas do you have for your next job?
This is a fun but also challenging step!
Rule 1 - Don’t eliminate at this early stage. This is not the time to add the dark cloud to your job search. The aim is to pull out ideas, opportunities, exciting roles, and possibilities. Dream a little. At this stage, be a little less practical because you want inspiration. My view is - if you are going to change your job, make it worthwhile!
It can be challenging if ideas don’t immediately come to mind. Do this in a couple phases.
Phase 1: Scale of 1 to 5, what do you want?
Example from a recent conversation…
Stay in higher education? Answer 3
Work in nonprofit? Answer 3, based on compensation
Ideal compensation increase? Answer 5 (which is 25% increase or higher)
Willingness to take a career risk? Answer 2, husband’s job is 100% commission
Willingness to get more education? Answer 3, depends on what it is an cost
Walk through a few things.
Phase 2: Time boxed job posting search
There is value looking at job postings! I was curious about the hiring of Imagineers at Disney. My son loves engineering and architecture - thus, I did some early research to plan some summer and school year activities (I am not a helicopter mom, I swear!). The idea is - take a look! Just time box it. Spend 15 minutes on dreamy roles, far reaching opportunities, long shots. Do a summary - education, experience, technical skills, etc. Find 10 things in the posting that stand out. Then…move on!
If you know what you want, look at 5 postings for a similar role. If you have an idea - look at 7-10 postings with 2-3 different job titles. If you are truly exploring, be broad initially and look for patterns.
The key here is to do the “duck swimming on the pond” approach. Spend a few minutes head down, under water, then, come up to breath. Keep swimming across the pond - dunking head, coming up.
Summarize what you are finding. What roles jump out. Tie these back to your self-assessment from Steps 1-3. Start to define what your focus will be!
Don’t get stuck, time box your work
Thinking about a new role can land you in job search paralysis. Or, jumping forward too quickly. Dig in, do your research, set time limits. Key as well: Make notes, draw out patterns.
What is next?
Ideally what is next is to summarize your assessment. and, do some networking. Start with an outreach that says,
“I’m beginning to think through some career options, would love to run a few ideas by you.”
Getting started is often one of the toughest parts. Getting started the RIGHT way is even more important. Why? The more focused your job search, the more you can control the process. You can be ready for networking conversations and interviews. Roles you discuss are strong in terms of fit and your interest. You can get ahead of the hiring instead of being one of many candidates. You can de-stress the process by navigating things like compensation, title, scope of role, and other important logistics.
Planning…benefits you before, during, and after your job search.
By the way, our software, Archer Checklist is designed to help you with this planning. Our Job Search Checklist provides a step-by-step guided path. Curious, want to stay focused, check it out!
Good luck and would love any comments, tips, thoughts!
EdTech founder
Human Capitalist
CEOmom