When it comes to the job search, everyone’s with the lists: how to get a job; mistakes people make; ways to ace an interview; things you need to do today.
Enough.
There is a problem with all these lists. The problem is not that there’s not some good insights in some of them. It’s that no list will ever get you a job. Ever.
Know what’ll get you a job?
One thing: action.
Let’s do an experiment:
Right now, open a new browser tab/window. Go to your social networking site of choice. Think of a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile—someone you don’t have anything important to talk about. Take however much time you need… when you think of that person, send him/her an invite to connect and a note that reads something to the effect of: “Just thinking of you; would love to connect when you have a few minutes and hear how you’re doing.” Then come back to this page.
I’ll wait while you go do that…
OK, now let’s review the experiment: did you actually do it? What would you have learned from a list, awareness that you should call? Hey: this ain’t “life appreciation class,” this is life itself. If you want something, you’ve got to move!
Others may care, but personally, I don’t give a hoot or holler about the proper etiquette for re-introducing yourself to an old acquaintance. I don’t give a flying fish about thank you notes or emails, either. Nor do I care about how awkward this all must be for you. All I care is whether or not you act. Because when you act, messing up doesn’t matter. (As much.) When you mess up in your head, you stress; when you mess up in real life, you try again and improve. It happens without thinking about it whenever you refuse to give up!
I recently called a friend I hadn’t seen in 19 years. Out of the blue, just to say hi. That was awkward… for about a minute. Then we clicked and now I’ve 200 more people in my network. I called another friend, too… that conversation didn’t go as well. So? I lost nothing on that one. Ten minutes, maybe.
Now it’s your turn again: put down the list and go make that call. Bungle it. In fact, try to mess it up. You know what you’ll find? You’ll find you can’t. No more thinking about it, go do it!
Because they only way to guarantee that you get a job is to go out and get the job!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Great idea. We have so many “friends” out there on all these social networking sites we’re on, but how often do you actually connect with people? It goes farther than just updating your status that you don’t have a job. Like you said, get active and it will make a world of difference.
Wow!
This blog posting “hits the nail on the head!” The key is action in your job search. Any action. Take the first step. Even if you goof – it’s better than no steps taken at all.
After working as a career specialist for almost 5 years with over 40,000 adult learners, it is good to see someone finally stating what I’ve been talking about for so long (it also let’s me know that I’m not nuts **laughing**).
Once again, thank you for writing this article! It’s truely refreshing!
Yours,
Kirsten Grant
Career Specialist, Kaplan University
TwitterID: Kgrantcareers
It doesn’t get any clearer than that. If you want something, you’ve got to do something about it. Reaching out to others is a simple tactic that everyone can use.
Good stuff, Jason. Happy Friday!
Great call. The world rewards action and nothing less. I admit I had to read this a couple times before hopping on Facebook and reaching out to connect – thanks for the call to action Jason.
Great stuff as always. As I begin my coaching career I’ve learned the old addige you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. What’s the difference between people who take action and people who sit and let life happen to them?
Like the saying: If its to be … its up to me !
Yes, its tough today – this job search business … To make it easier, check the Job Seekers Blog – key tips for all job seekers: http://tinyurl.com/ctlpsb
Ron Proctor
http://www.linkedin.com/in/ronproctor