Looking for a job or a new job is difficult, and frustrating at times, and it is a learned skill. I have changed jobs nine times in my career; some by choice, some because of unforeseen circumstances. In your career, you may have to be a jobseeker for less time or more than me. Regardless of the number of times you experience this process; know that it is a process you can master; today’s post briefly reviews the methodology I use to help the people I help.
- Get help. Even the most experienced job seeker could use a second pair of hands, eyes, ears, and a brain. Plus, it’s free. Just a note: Though all employment agencies are not the same, visit their websites before deciding which one might be best for you.
- Give some thought to what types of jobs you would like to do. Approach your local adult learning center if you are not sure what you might like to do for an aptitude test .. it’s also free.
- Decide if you want full-time or part-time. Part-time is usually 30 hours a week or less and your schedule may vary considerably plus there may not be benefits. Would you work on a fixed-term contract?
- Decide where you would like to work. Do you have transportation? Is there public transit? How long do you want to spend commuting each day? Would you work remotely or using a hybrid model?
- What skills do you have? What transferrable skills have you not considered; it is a common mistake for many people not to think about previous jobs where the skills they learned don’t seem relevant but really are.
- What skills do you need for the jobs that you want to pursue? What are the gaps? When reading job advertisements, note the difference between “required” and “preferred” and also appreciate few people have all of the desired skills and experiences.
- What skills do you want to upgrade? What new skills do you need? This is where having help really becomes an asset. There are many training opportunities and various government funding and/or reimbursements available to assist with acquiring the skills you need.
- As mentioned in step #5, What transferrable skills do you have? Appreciate that it is okay to be overqualified for jobs that you want to pursue, they make you more valuable if presented appropriately.
- Think about what barriers you may encounter in today’s job market. Barriers are more than just obvious ones such as being neuro-diverse or having physical barriers. We live in a time where racism, discrimination, and prejudice are returning after years of society embracing diversity, inclusiveness, and equity; we, more than ever, are depending on everyone taking positive action to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusiveness to make a difference. Your barriers could include ageism, cultural stigma, and even sometimes as basic as lacking the skills to apply online or knowledge of ATS or Marketing resumes.
- Depending on your barriers, are you aware of life stabilization supports you are entitled to from different governments. In Ontario, there is help available from Employment Insurance, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Plan, Passport funding for people with developmental barriers, Free Legal Aid, and many more. Use 211 to access and find out more about what is available in your communities. Make sure you complete your taxes every year; there are free clinics to help and to assist if you haven’t always filed your returns; so many government assistance programs are based on you filing your returns.
- Most communities have additional life stabilization programs to assist vulnerable people with everything from food and financial guidance to help replace lost identification to assisting with mental health and addiction services. In my community this year, one in five people will experience an issue with mental health and/or addiction.
- Do you have references listed on your resume? In small communities listing references on your resume may help you get an interview. Conventional wisdom is to use “References available on request,” don’t wait, as a former employer, I often recognized many of the references applicants used, and that gave them a competitive advantage because it reduced the risk for me.
- Are you using your personal network of friends, family, mentors, teachers, former employers, and co-workers, people you have met to assist you when seeking work? Few people do. Everyone you know should know you are looking for a job. Use Facebook sites, LinkedIn profiles (the free version), professional associations, and network, network, network. According to industry experts, only 20-30% of jobs are ever listed, and the rest are filled through networking.
- Who are your allies? Similar to networks, key allies can be very helpful in providing advice, using their network to expand yours, and providing advice and guidance.
- What accommodations can you request to make your job search, interview, and hiring process more equitable for you? For people experiencing barriers, the Job Accommodation Network website is an excellent tool for researching ideas you may not have considered. Additionally, many organizations with Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity policies are committed to creating a better environment, which again is why it is very important not to let politicians and businesses undo the important work that has been done to provide equitable workplaces for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQ+, and People living with Disabilities.
- Do you understand the difference between a Marketing Resume (for handing out in person) and an ATS (Automatic Tracking System) resume used for applying online? Does your resume highlight your skills, expertise, and expertise without repeating itself or requiring your prospective employer to be a detective to find your attributes? A resume can be tailored to specific jobs much like a cover letter. Also, a resume should be at most two pages and should really only cover the past 15-20 years.
- If you are not using a cover letter; start. A good cover letter can make the difference between getting an interview or not. I use the employer’s job advertisement as the basis for my jobseekers, using as many of the keywords the employer uses as possible. For many jobs, most applicants don’t bother with a cover letter and you will stand out if you do.
- Most people suck at interviews. One of the easiest ways to stand out is to practice interviews. Another key perspective is to answer each question keeping in mind that you want to help the employer “solve their problem.” When asked “Tell me about yourself,” instead of giving them the abridged version of your life story, give them 4-8 key skills and experiences with examples from your experience that address their requirements. Practice, Practice, and Practice; understand everyone is nervous. Bring a notebook with some prepared questions, it is allowed.
- Prepare in advance for interviews. Know where you are supposed to go. Know what is appropriate to wear. Get there early and try to relax.
- Appreciate soft skills and be aware of social cues. Being an active listener, appreciating that if you are a person who lives with a disability, the people interviewing you may not appreciate some of your nuances. While you do not have to disclose your barriers if they do not affect your ability to do the job, it might be useful to address certain points to help yourself.
- Pay attention to your presentation. Dress appropriately when going in for an interview, and use the employer’s website to determine what is appropriate. Be aware of your body language, don’t worry if you talk with your hands, don’t worry if you are nervous most people are, and if you make a mistake, correct yourself and move forward.
- Do “cold calls.” Visiting employers who may not have posted advertisements is difficult, but they are worth the stress as few job seekers do them and the competition for each potential opportunity is much less. Create a plan, practice, after each attempt apply the lessons you learn, and be persistent; you might have to visit more than twenty employers before someone will give you a chance.
- Cold Calling and networking are the best ways to access the “Hidden Job Market,” as mentioned earlier, up to 80% of jobs are never publicly posted.
- When applying online, follow all of the steps. Many employers require you to create an account, and this can be a little frustrating and time-consuming for some job seekers. Be patient and thorough. In addition, upload your resume and cover letter along with digital copies of any relevant certificates.
- Consider the value of asking for a mentorship. Mentorships are a great way to learn more about a career or job without the pressure of a formal job interview. Mentor Canada and MentorAbility Canada are two examples of organizations that can help with this process.
- Job searching is more than just looking at one source. Many websites like Indeed allow you to set search parameters; however, realize that not every employer uses Indeed or other large service providers. Become aware of the search engines in your community and check all of them. Remember, looking for a new job is a full-time job.
- Plan and prepare for the effects on your life of returning to work. New jobs create stress and anxiety because you have to create new comfort zones. Know what will occur and plan appropriately. Onboarding and orientation programs for many employers are improving all of the time, and this is where working with a career advisor can really help; having support during those first few crucial days can make the difference between a successful start and a false start.
- Don’t rely on one potential job, even after having a really great interview; continue to apply for jobs until you have accepted a job that you want. When accepting the job, ask for a copy of the offer and inquire about the “Terms of Employment;” you do not want to be surprised on the first day by clauses or conditions that you were not aware of.
- A good career advisor will follow up with you after you start your new job. No hiring process is 100% perfect; despite all of your preparation and efforts, sometimes a new job isn’t a good fit; if that is the case, it is okay to keep looking.
- Your path is different. When I work with a job seeker; we work at their pace to pursue their goals. We work on the aspects of their job search they want help with. Often I learn as much about them and their perspective as they learn about what I can teach them.
These thirty steps work. They will work for you. You will get discouraged, you will be frustrated, and you will have to overcome many challenges, including pushing outside of your comfort zone. You can do this knowing that you can; use the help that is available, do your best, and don’t give up.
Good luck,
Paul