Inevitable to any job search is hearing the word “no”: “No, we don’t need anyone with your experience”, “No, we don’t have an opening.”, “No, we’ve gone with another candidate”. Don’t let these no’s take the wind out of your sails.
Andrea Waltz, contributor to Success Magazine provides 5 helpful tips to keep you on track toward your goal: 1. “Reframe your perception” 2. “Clarify your mission” 3. “Take action” 4. “Reinforce your activity” and 5. “Keep going!”
You are going to hear “no” a lot. You’ll have to get used to it and have a thick skin. None of us like hearing “no” but it`s inevitable in our quest for that one “yes” that gets our foot in the door for a networking coffee, an interview and a potential job offer. To put it in perspective, sales trainers will tell you that on average you will hear nine no’s before you hear one yes. So don’t give up: you may be only one no away from a great job offer.
Stay focused and believe in your product – that’s You! Take inventory – you have unique talents and abilities, a track record of success, and key achievements that add value to organizations. Take a moment to clarify what you want to do, and what impact you want to have on organizations. Craft a compelling Elevator Pitch, and then get out there and promote your unique value proposition.
Avoid waiting for that ideal job to come to you as this is wishful thinking. Take small steps to move forward – tidying up your home office, updating your LinkedIn profile, reaching out to book a coffee meeting – get busy and get moving. Take one small action each day: “…just one contact a day – will boost your confidence. Gradually increase your activity over the next few weeks.”recommends Waltz.
Along the way, as the boss of Me Inc. (your job search enterprise), ensure you take particular care of your employee. Create celebrations and rewards to reinforce not only your big, but also small successes. I recommend that my full time job search clients work hard from Monday through Thursday, putting in 8 hour days, and then reward themselves by taking Friday off!
Lastly, keep in mind Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “Energy and persistence conquer all things”. The key to job search success is self-confidence and determination. A career coach can help you map out a job search strategy that keeps you on track, devise follow up strategies to turn the “no’s” into “yeses”, and help you land interviews and job offers.
Author: Joanne Loberg of JL Careers Inc. is a Certified Executive Coach and Internationally Certified Career Management Professional. She specializes in coaching professional and executive clients, and providing career advancement strategies. Copyright JL Careers Inc. All rights reserved.
Not landing interviews or getting job offers?
Let’s connect for a complimentary 30 minute telephone Career Strategy Consultation. I specialize in working with professionals and executives to: develop accomplishment-based resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles that grab recruiters’ attention, and devise strategies to ace the interview.
Your consultation will focus on: Determining strategies to support your career goals and help you get promoted; a Resume and/or Cover Letter Critique, or an Interview Audit to determine what you need to do to ace the interview and start landing job offers.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers
Looking for insightful, tailored career coaching or retirement planning? Contact us today to learn how you can fast-track your career and create a life you’ll love.
Wishing you much career success!
Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers Inc
