Is it possible to get a job in three months in this economy?
The answer depends on so many variables, it’s hard to say “yes” with confidence. Even so ... I’m going to do just that. And then I’m going to lay down a challenge to all job-seekers within the sound of my keyboard to secure an offer by June 21, the official start of summer.
Why summer? By some accounts this is an awkward time to start a new job, what with the kids home from school and the competition from college students. And some would argue that companies slow down their hiring then, or that summer is their least favorite time to be at work.
The thing is, there’s going to be something “wrong” with any season if you think about it, so one of my first edicts for this job search challenge is to stop thinking.
When it comes to a job search, too much thinking leads to living in one’s head. I have known job-seekers to delay making calls because they imagine the other person is in meetings, or that he or she is overwhelmed because it’s Monday or exhausted because it’s Friday. Pretty soon an entire week has passed with no calls made, but lots of thought on the subject.
Hence, the first rule of this job search is to do more acting than thinking. Rule No. 2 is to create a schedule that emphasizes daily productivity, which leads to rule No. 3: Take no days off from the search, even if you’re not feeling well or get an “emergency” request from a friend.
When these things happen, ask yourself: Would I have stayed home from work for this? If the answer is no, you need to stick to your job search.
That said, you do get to stop at the end of the workday, and take the weekends for yourself. The goal is not to work to exhaustion at this, but to work productively every day, no exceptions. I’m not being sarcastic when I say that this is a project, not a lifestyle. You’re trying to finish the project, not make it more bearable by doling it out in small parts.
So those are the rules; now for the steps. In the next week, you have some preparation to do, so you can jump in with both feet on March 21, the first full day of spring. That will give you three full months, and a very symbolic “new start in the springtime” besides. To prepare for the new start, you need to: a) evaluate your past process to identify what has worked and what hasn’t; b) create your daily action plan, including quotas.
To evaluate your past search, start with troubleshooting: Are you getting interviews but no offers? You may need to increase the number of interviews in order to improve the odds of getting an offer. Or you may need to improve your interview performance.
Perhaps you’re not getting interviews. That suggests you’re going for the wrong jobs, using the wrong resume, not reaching the right people, or not reaching enough people.
If you have absolutely no idea what’s wrong or what to do about it, it’s time to see a job search strategist to get some advice.
Let’s assume for the sake of this 90-day challenge that you have a job goal, a resume that demonstrates your ability to perform that job, and a reasonable hope of telling your story once you get an interview. Those are your basic ingredients for a job search. Now it’s time for the action plan, which I will outline in next week’s column.
I might as well tell you right now that this plan is all about getting on the phone and going out the door to connect with employers directly. If you think that won't work, ask yourself if you have evidence that it doesn’t. Because I have two decades of experience with job-seekers to tell me that it does.
Assuming you’re willing to give this a try, you can prepare by developing a list of at least 50 companies within commuting range that could conceivably use a person in the position you are seeking. To find 50, you may have to check phone books, trade groups, chambers of commerce, or even drive your territory with a clipboard. Small or large, they all go on the list.
Important: Do not make any assumptions, including whether the company is hiring, pays enough or offers benefits. Such assumptions fall under the category of thinking too much, and you know which rule that breaks. Ready, set, go -- I’ll see you back here in a week.
Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com or at 626 Armstrong Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.
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