17 Job Search Tips That Work For Everyone

The conundrum when giving job hunting or career advice is the fact that there is no one size fits all solution. But nearly every client we meet starts with the general “so … what should I do?” question. It could be advice for someone looking for a job, trying to get a promotion, changing careers or for someone who likes their job but who wants to move up. Here’s 17 job search tips that work for everyone

During the last two years, I have noted down the best advice from coaches I admire and, together with my own insights, often share some of this with my own clients. These job search tips should help you get started. Admittedly, a lot of this is focused on managers and general white collar industries, but much of it is generally applicable to anyone who is job hunting or in the market for a career change.

So, here are the job search tips:

• Listen, then listen more

  Successful people tend to be good listeners. You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that ratio. You learn more when you listen than when you talk.

• 80/20 is the ultimate success formula

  Stop being busy: instead be effective. Always look for the 80/20 – 80% of the value is delivered by 20% of the product/service. Focus on that 20%.

• If you don’t have any passion, you will struggle to find work

  Real leaders look for people to work in their business on the passion criteria first. At its most prominent, this key criterion could even mean finding somebody who would do the job whether they would get paid or not (or accepting a lower salary than they might be able to command elsewhere).

• Be likable 

  People who are liked have the wind at their backs. So be liked.

• Luck is something that comes to you because you work on it

  People who are lucky make their own luck and you only make your own luck by staying in the game.

• You don’t have to be a leader to lead

  Put on ‘the cloak’ of leadership.A large part of your role is to inspire and motivate your peers, co–workers or employees and people will look to you for confidence. If you were on a plane with engine problems, you don’t want the pilot to say “I am exploring a number of options and hope that…”.  You want the pilot to say, “I will do whatever it takes to land this plane.”

• Everyone can negotiate! Negotiation is not sales  

  The outcome of a negotiation is largely a function of your alternatives.Know your next best option.

• No one buys a complicated story

  If you want to get hired, stop making things complicated. That includes your resume and your interviews. Keep it simple – reduce it to the max. The best scientists can explain complex issues in simple terms. Pretty good scientists can explain complex issues in complex terms.

• A’s hire A’s. B’s hire C’s 

  Smart employers always strive to hire people better than they are and if they can’t find A’s , then they look out to hire B’s (people who can be A’s).

• Real opportunities are all about change

  When considering an opportunity, look for change. What inflection point are you taking advantage of? Without change, there is rarely opportunity.

• Humility wins – be humble  

  The job market can be brutal to those who are arrogant and over confident.

• Have a sense of duty and practice self-discipline

  Employers, small and large, are fed up with people who just want a job. Set targets, have timetables and have clear unambiguous goals. Life passes quickly – days, weeks, months, years, a lifetime. “Regret for the things we did, can be tempered by time. It is regret for the things that we did not do that is inconsolable.”

• Say what you think. Do what you say. Be what you do.

   In any setting, with individuals or in a group, you usually serve everyone best by thoughtfully, and perhaps tactfully, expressing exactly what you are thinking – not necessarily what people want to hear.

• Chill – it’s really not that hard

  Learn to relax.Employers are easily turned off by tense characters. Often overachievers are passionate about many things. Yet it’s important to learn not to always care so much. Try being indifferent to things that aren’t that important.

• Give two before you ask for one back. Not the other way around.

  You’ve got to give trust to get trust. Treat people as you would want to be treated. Sometimes people will take advantage of you. That’s fine, just don’t do business with them again.

• Be hungry – be gutsy – have goals

  Maybe even shoot for the moon. To be successful, don’t follow the pack. If you want to win, don’t hedge.

• Advice: nd, here is some final advice:
  

  Show your appreciation!   

Appreciate the people you work with.  Show gratitude and genuine commitment to those who give you free advice or help.  Always take care of the people who back you up.  Celebrate successes along the way.  Communicate lavishly – good news and bad news.  Tell the truth, don’t try to maximize everything, and stop to smell the roses. Life is pretty short and most of what really matters doesn’t happen at work. And always remember to hunt wisely!

Uli