Why do people stay in jobs they hate? One all too common reason is that the thought of launching a job search is so terrifying, people would rather stay in a role that causes the “Sunday Scaries” when Monday morning is right around the corner. While the rejection part of the job search is one of the worst parts, what if there are things you could do to make your job search less spooky and even. . . fun?
Google works both ways
You know the hiring manager or Human Resources manager reviewing your resume is going to Google you, check you out on social media and see who you have in common on LinkedIn. So why don’t you do the same thing to the companies you’re applying to? Yes it takes time, but there’s a treasure chest full of information online about nearly every company that you’re considering. Not only will this data help you look super prepared when you score an interview, if you organize your search results, you’ll be able to remember which companies you’ve applied to and avoid applying twice to the same opening.
Phone a friend
Okay, you’re more likely to text your friend, but the point is, after you’ve scanned your LinkedIn connections for who works at the company you’re applying to, don’t be shy. Reach out to the person via LinkedIn or see if you have their personal email in your Gmail contacts, or if you don’t have any way of reaching out directly, ask a person you have in common to introduce you over email. Even if you’re reaching out to someone who used to work at the company and is no longer there, they’ll be an asset to you. If your conversation goes well, you might even muster up the courage to ask them the tough questions about why they left.
Again, it’s an extra step, but your reason to get in touch with a current or former employee is to get intel on the company. You want to figure out what makes the staff at the company tick, and this is your chance to ask all the stuff you shouldn’t ask about in a first interview like specifics about benefits, the vacation policy, parking and transportation subsidies, and maternity leave questions. -Of course you can ask about all of that later in an interview process, but wouldn’t it be nice to know all this before you get to the first interview?
Don’t forget about your references
You will be asked for references. This is often the last thing you remember when you’re in the middle of the interview process. Then you’re panicked because you have to start a mean game of phone tag to try and track your references down. After all, it’s been awhile since you’ve connected with them, or needed to ask for them to be a reference for you. If you start tracking down your references when you start your quest to learn everything you can about the companies you’re applying to, chances are, you’ll hear back from your references at about the same time Human Resources is contacting you to set up a phone interview.
You know the easiest way to take the spooky factor out of your job search? You knew this was coming…. work with a recruiter! They take the mystery out of what’s happening at the company they’re sending your profile to, you can ask them all the questions you’re not supposed to ask a hiring manager, and they’ll remind you to start talking to your references. Not only that, if it’s been awhile since you’ve interviewed, they’ll coach you on what not to say when you’re in the hot seat with an interviewer.
You don’t have to go it alone on your job search, but if you do, make sure you’re doing these three things to make it easier. And while these suggestions might not be enough to take all the fear out of your job search, remember, by considering new career options you’ll be on the path to end the “Sunday Scaries.”