The Secret ‘Sauce’ to Any Job Search

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Go out and do a Google search on how to conduct job searches, and you’ll come up with literally a billion different articles and pieces of advice… with a lot of the ideas out there contradicting each other. One person says, “Do it this way,” and then the next person has a different take on what you need to do.

Is it any wonder job seekers are so darned frustrated?

It’s sort of like the dog running around in circles chasing its tail, isn’t it? Round and round and round, and it seems like no matter what, there you are back at square one again after yet another application-interview-rejection cycle.

But the truth is the real secret “sauce” to a successful job search usually is so close to us it is like we literally can’t see our hand in front of our face.

It boils down to some simple, solid strategies:

Be nice to everyone. “Nice guys finish last” doesn’t jive with me. If you are kind, thoughtful, caring, and supportive – people remember that as your personal brand. We are, in essence, more motivated to do things to help others who treated us well, while we are less inclined to even give people (who burned us previously) the time of day.

Have a polished, targeted, accomplishments-driven resume. If you cannot own your accomplishments and demonstrate value to a prospective employer, how on earth do you expect to convince them to hire you?

Don’t hide behind your computer… NETWORK. One of my clients e-mailed me a few months ago with an accusatory note, saying that she had emailed her resume to no less than 64 different job openings, but hadn’t heard anything back. I then asked her: “How many did you contact personally or network with?” “Zero” came the answer.  Unfortunately, hitting “send” 64 times isn’t going to do it, especially in this job market where everyone else is out there pulling strings, making contacts, and cultivating powerful referral networks. An excellent resume is important, yes, but if you don’t have anyone interested in receiving it, you obviously are missing the critical component of a job search.

Never, EVER, give up hope. Believe in yourself. Remember, you are driving this bus… and while the job search can be incredibly defeating when you get rejection after rejection, but once you give up hope in yourself, all is lost. Sure, you have have the occasional pity party, but then you need to grit your teeth and get back on that horse again. Keeping the job search in action is the only way you’ll have a chance of snaring something.

Volunteer… it changes you. As a bridging activity, volunteering can help you keep your finger on the pulse of your industry, or be a way to springboard into a new field. But most importantly, the physiological impact of giving of yourself to help others has an entirely different effect: you get a jolt of endorphin (the feel-good hormone).  Which is precisely what you need to keep your spirits up. So not only are you adding skills, experience, and knowledge, but you are making a difference too. Plus, you are building your network and creating an opportunity to make yourself a known quantity to perhaps your next, future employer!

Manage your personal brand… every… single… day.  I love this quote (author unknown) – think about it:

Watch your thoughts; they become your words.

Watch your words, they become your actions.

Watch your actions; they become your habits.

Watch your habits, they become your character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Keep the faith; never give up, and remember your biggest recipe for job search success boils down to having a focused job search, polished resume, and networking, networking, and networking. And having patience.

Frustrated job searcher image from Shutterstock

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17 Comments

1. 

   Irvin

   April 7, 2013 at 6:24 PM

   Hi,
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   This agency SAVED me after graduate school. After six years in academia, I still had no idea what I was going to do with my life and began temping for Blogstaffing. The application/interview process is easy and friendly and they found work for me almost right away. It was spotty at first, true, but I built my way up and was working all the time after a few weeks. The offices I was placed in were always interesting…
   it’s kind of fun to get a taste for what different people do for a living, from stuffy financial firms and law offices, to super chill design, advertising, and marketing firms. They even pointed me in the direction of the job I’ve had for almost three years now.
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   Reply
2. 

   David

   March 19, 2013 at 7:27 PM

   About Blogstaffing…
   Overall a good service, I’ve always found it is easier to book advertising nearing the end of the month as the discounts are bigger. Had an overwhelming response to my advert, my account manager even threw in an extra weeks advertising for me free of charge.

   Overall a good experience and would use Blogstaffing for future roles.

   Reply
   • 

     Marc

     March 27, 2013 at 7:39 PM

     Hi,
     Dear David! I also used this agency. Yes, they proved their credibility and professionalism. Great attitude and conduct services at a good level. Respect, humility and ability to listen and to apply, for me means a lot. They will find what you are looking for! Good luck
     Thank Bologstaffing

     Reply
     • 

       David

       March 29, 2013 at 4:45 PM

       Hi Маrс!
       this is good. The company where I work is very praises and appreciates the cooperation with blogstaffing. They provided us with the best employees, which are perfect our team and meet our professional requirements. We are very happy with the service we receive from Blogstaffing company.

       Reply
3. 

   Rango

   December 29, 2012 at 3:00 AM

   Blogstaffing not only provided me with excellent work, but also protected me from possible layoffs in the future due to lack of qualifications. My career was just great, and I did not think that one day things can change. Several months ago to the company where I worked, came one just graduated girl. She was aware of all the latest developments and innovations, her education was brilliant.

   On the advice of my former colleagues, I turned to the company Blogstaffing. I will not describe the whole procedure; each of you encountered this and knows that the wait was short-lived. Blogstaffing found me a work, where there is a prerequisite for visiting professional training and personal growth.

   Reply
   • 

     ABDEL HADI

     March 13, 2013 at 4:53 PM

     Agree! Blogstaffing.com is a great opportunity to find the job! Found there many interesting propositions! Recommend

     Reply
   • 

     juan monroy

     March 14, 2013 at 5:56 AM

     I found my current excellent job through Blogstaffing.com, and I would recommend them to anyone. The web site is easy to use, and there are lots of job postings, thanks for the website!

     Reply
     • 

       flavia

       March 14, 2013 at 11:14 AM

       I recently got laid off and was searching for jobs online and there I found blogstaffing.com, really helped me much! Thanks

       Reply
       • 

         vicki pope

         March 15, 2013 at 6:13 AM

         Yes, Blogstaffing.com has been a fabulous tool to use for my job search. Thank you!

         Reply
         • 

           Joey Anderso

           March 16, 2013 at 4:42 PM

           Blogstaffing.com appeared to be very competitive, thank you!
   • 

     Joey Anderson

     March 24, 2013 at 4:22 PM

     Yes, indeed, best tech job agency EVER!.. everybody is super friendly and the make the tedious job seeking process very personal. In a week I had a one year contract set! Thanks guys

     Reply
4. 

   Lynda Doberman Hall

   March 23, 2012 at 1:44 PM

   Excellent information. I have been using some of the key elements of this article. Especially, the polished look. I think it helps to create that positive and strong image you want to present.

   What was funny, after an interview, more people than normal were looking at me because I looked sharp. It does make a difference whether you are on a job interview or out. I also recommend joining LinkedIn and building connections – networking. Connect with friends – who know friends…

   Also, talk to people in a social setting about where they work. Then ask what they do and if they like the company. If it all sounds good, ask do they know if the company is hiring. Then ask for the company’s name.

   Reply
5. 

   Victor Koros

   March 6, 2012 at 6:20 AM

   They are simple but very important.

   Reply
6. 

   Patti Finkel

   March 5, 2012 at 5:41 PM

   Thank you, Dawn. Your points are all well taken and ones that I also try to make with our job seeksers. Your advice about volunteering is spot on and I can usually notice the positive difference it makes for the people who do. I have volunteering to thank for helping me to transition from human resources to career counseling some years ago. It is a move that I am very happy to have made.

   Reply
7. 

   Zach

   March 3, 2012 at 11:36 AM

   I definitely agree with all of your points, especially with volunteering. That charitable feeling can really push you to continue being a better person and help others in any way that you can.

   Reply
8. 

   Lauren Nise

   March 2, 2012 at 11:40 AM

   Well done, Dawn! I will also be sharing this info with my students.

   Reply
9. 

   Rich Grant

   March 2, 2012 at 10:22 AM

   I will tweet this as our soon-to-be grads will benefit from such great advice. I agree with all six bold points.

   Reply