Hate Networking – Love Market Research!

You’ve probably heard the word “networking” a few too many times in your job search.  It scares and puts off a lot of people – creating images of begging for a job.

Let’s change the perspective.  You’re looking for a job, perhaps a new career. You want it to be a good fit for you and you want to contribute to your new employer’s organization so you will be liked, paid well, promoted, kept around for a long time.

Even in a tight economy, you are at choice.  You can go after the same old job answering ads and using recruiters, or you can go looking for something new.  You need to do some Market Research:

• Identify industries and companies that interest you.
• Do online research to find out as much as you can about them, their products and services.  Note their web presence both in their website and in the broader press to make sure you like their image.
• Go to networking events where you’ll meet people who are knowledgeable about the industry or company.
• Ask your contacts if they know people who are knowledgeable about the industry or company.
• Call the new contacts and explain that you are researching a possible career change and would like to get together for 15-20 minutes and ask them about their experiences. 
• Have a good 15-30 second pitch about why you’re interested.
• In your meeting, be curious!  Have a good set of questions about the company, their careers and your area of interest. Do not ask for a job!
• Ask them what additional experience or training you might acquire in order to be considered for a position with this company. 
• Ask for additional contacts.
• Make notes about the conversation – what you learned and how you felt about it.

Follow up!  We like to “buy” from people we know.  Even if a”good-fit”  position  will soon be available, your contact may not tell you about it in a first “information gathering” meeting.

Finally, always have 2-3 target industries or careers that you’re considering.  Evaluate them frequently to be sure you see opportunity and a good fit. If not,  select another target to research.

Fix What Irritates You!

Last week, I finally went to the optometrist and have ordered glasses with a new prescription.  For ages, words have been slightly blurry. Reading had lost its joy. It’s taken longer to proofread documents and I suspect that accuracy has suffered.

I have been tolerating poor eyesight.

“Tolerations” are those things we run up against that are easily fixed, but that also easy to set aside for other priorities. What are you tolerating that drains you of energy and enjoyment? 

• The car battery needs replacing, each time it’s harder to start the car and you get irritated, but you get the car going, so go on your way without dealing with it.
• Your hair needs a cut, but you keep putting it off – and shudder each time you look in the mirror.
• You have a phone call to make that you’re dreading, so put it off.  You get a sinking feeling each time you think of it.
• There are things in the back of the fridge that have been there way too long and are reminded each time you open the door for a snack.

As we go through the day, the things you’re just tolerating, cause you to momentarily stop in your tracks.  Fixing them will give you more time and energy for the things you enjoy.

So…

• Add them, or move them up, on to your “to do”  list.
• Schedule time to address them
• Deal with the easy- and cheap-to-fix things first.
• If they will cost more than you can afford just now, start to put money aside.
• Some things can’t be fixed.  Acknowledge them and choose to accept them as they are, or avoid them if you can. 

Congratulate yourself when each toleration is taken care of!