Online dating and job hunting have a lot in common. You do a search for potential matches, make your best case in writing, sometimes get to meet in person, and then hope for the best. It takes stamina to find a fit and you can’t take the process personally. Rejection is part of the game. As a Career Coach, I work with clients to keep them buoyant during their job search. And I’ve recently written about best practices for staying in the game. (Now, if I could only follow my own advice when it comes to dating.) Check my post out here.
Wendy I think I’m like you in I can be persistent in the job hunt but I am not in the game of dating! I’ve never even tried online. My stamina in the job hunt paid off yesterday in an offer for a job in an area I’d been trying to break into for a few years. Network, network, follow up, keep up skills you don’t actually use in current job, . . . exhausting but worth it. This new position should be a game changer for my career. I’ve been in a miserable situation for the past year and I have really looked forward to your blog posts and the FPS community as a short escape during my days.
That’s fantastic news, Claire. And it’s of particular interest to me as a Career Coach. What skills did you keep up that made the difference? And how long did it take for you to find and snare the game changing job?
Second language. The last time I was in a country where it’s the official language was 2004. The last time I had a job where I used it was 2006 and then very briefly in 2011. I could have very easily lost that skill because I’m not a native speaker. I have been in language Meetup groups in two cities (which are awesome ways to practice – in my experience native speakers come and it’s a relaxed environment) and try to listen to a daily podcast for learners of the language. I also follow a few twitter accounts in that language.
Took probably 2 years (or more?) from when I met the person who offered me a job until the offer. Met through a social acquaintance and I continued to try to follow up at least every six months. A position was vacated, he needed to fill it, wanted someone who speaks the language of his main customer base. There’s more details on what I did to make myself attractive for this type of job but that’s the very basic story.
I LOVE THIS STORY!!! And I’m going to repeat it to my clients.
Thank you Wendy! It really was a long game for me. If further details would be helpful to you I’d be happy to fill you in privately. Hope you are enjoying your holiday.
Good to know, Claire. I always like hearing success stories.