As 2019 turns into 2020, it's out with the old ‘habits’ and in with the new. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective job seekers can help you see into a brighter future.
It’s that time of the year when we have time for reflection. An opportunity to think about where we have been, and where we are going; or least, where we would like to go. Statistics show that there is a significant peak in looking for new career opportunities as the New Year dawns. Am I happy in my role? Is this the best I can do? Maybe there’s something better out there for me? After all, I’m not getting any younger. There’s no harm in just taking a look. But where to start?
Allow me to make a suggestion on the first step of your job search journey. As an advocate of Stephen Covey’s ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, I can show you how these ideals apply to ‘job seeking’. After all, Covey interviewed ‘000s of ‘effective people’, and identified ‘7 habits’ they all use to be successful. All I have to do, is use these principles to help others find a new job opportunity, re-build their career, and even use it in their personal life as well.
So, in a nutshell, here they are…..
Habit: 1 Be proactive – Respond positively to new opportunities
Take complete responsibility for everything that happens to you. Stop blaming others if you're not happy at work. Recognise your situation and take accountability for it. Accept that you have a choice to take, so take the positive one. Choose the right attitude, and surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you move on. Establish a momentum, and take the lead for making it happen by going to ‘work’ every day to find a new job.
Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind – What do you want to do next work towards that end goal
Everyone needs a ‘purpose’ to guide their job seeking decisions. So, think about the right opportunity for your next career move; whether it’s full time, part time, temporary, or self-employed. When considering your career options, swap ideas, thoughts and suggestions with others, so that you build a network and consider all your options. At the end of the day, you're the one who will make the final decision, but there’s no harm in letting others help you get what you want.
Habit 3: Put first things first – Let my CV tell my story....so update it
The most serious job seekers focus on the important things in life, like managing their time, and building effective relationships. Use your time wisely to think of positive examples of what you have achieved and how you’ve achieved it. Make a list of these and back them up with evidence. These will make for great stories for your CV, application form and interviews; so, make sure you understand what worked for you, how and why.
Habit 4: Think win-win – Make sure there's something in it for everyone
Any interaction you have should leave all parties feeling that they have got something out the experience. Your objective is to find the right company, working for the right manager and fitting into the right team. So, prepare a set of questions to make sure you’re on track, and ask yourself these throughout the process. Talk to your network, and let everyone know that you are looking for a new role. They will know people whom you don’t know, and can open up opportunities you didn't even think about.
Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Listen, learn and lead
Typically, we seek first to be understood by giving advice, expressing our opinion, fixing things…..and all before we truly understand the situation. In the job search process, it’s important that you understand how to research, listen and ask the right questions. It’s always best not to make assumptions. So, try to find out what’s involved in the end to end selection process and practice. There are lots of tools and techniques available on the internet to help you to learn and get it right.
Habit 6: Synergy – Get a diverse perspective
You don’t have to look for a new job on your own. Indeed, it’s advisable that you don’t. So, apart from your network, speak to recruitment agency consultants and head-hunters, and use them as a support group. Most job seekers find that partnering is better than working alone. Be prepared to take onboard other people’s perspectives, knowledge and experience. It all enriches the job seeking experience.
Habit 7: Sharpen the saw – Practice, patience, persevere
It’s really important that you keep focused and positive to be effective throughout the job search process. And to do this, you need to take care of yourself physically (exercise, eat the right foods), mentally (read, listen to music), spiritually (relax, meditate) and socially (go out, mix with others). This way, you will keep yourself balanced with a healthy attitude to feed your mind, body and soul. At the end of the day, there is no such thing as failure; there is just a delay in results.
GOOD LUCK!
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