Taking Control of a Job Search
Advice for getting started and staying motivated, wherever you are in the search
The job search can be daunting, confusing, and weird. It may seem like it’s bringing you to dead ends or spiraling directions. On the other hand, some days, it can bring you validation, confidence and excitement. How can we focus on controlling what we can, and accepting that everything else is part of the learning experience and the job search journey? How can we stay motivated and maintain momentum through the process?
Whether you are getting started or whether you’re already in your job search, the first thing to recognize is perfection does not exist, therefore the the perfect job does not exist. Searching for the perfect job is a difficult and frustrating search for the impossible. Nothing is permanent, and it’s possible to switch jobs after 1–2 years.
When considering focus areas for what you can control, check on the mindset you’re bringing to the job search process, the tools you have at your disposal, and the actions you can take to advance conversations and connections to your next job.
Mindset
Recognize the job search may be a roller coaster of highs, lows and other emotions. Accept this, and practice being kind to yourself along the way. It’s easy to think, “I should have done XYZ” or “I need to do more of XYZ,” but that type of language is not kind when you are already exerting a lot of energy and effort into a process that demands you to be “on” when you’re emailing, talking to and meeting people in your job search.
You can develop a values-based mindset that’s a fit for you at your career stage (e.g. entry level/early-career or mid-career). Here’s an overview from Indeed on what this means.
What do you value right now for your next job? Here are some examples:
- a role that combines something I’m good at and something I enjoy doing
- a role on a team that creates net new projects and delivers them, rather than contributing to existing processes
- a salary that enables you to live the way you’re comfortable with in the near future
- a small organization that encourages individual contributions and generalist operational efforts
- a large organization that grooms specialists in certain areas of business opportunity
- a role that allows you to learn from peers
- a boss whom you can collaborate with in strategic ways
- a commute or a work from home/remote policy that aligns with your lifestyle
- a civic-minded workplace that welcomes progressive thinking and strategy for working with clients
There are different ways to decide on your values- from journaling to speaking to friends/family to seeking a professional career coach- you can frame your job search based on your highest priority values, which will help you cut through the noise of opportunities and eliminate ones that don’t fit your search, because you’ll be able to identify what you truly want and why.
Tools
To execute on your job search, you will need to feel confident about the way you are presenting yourself and your story, online and in real life. Here are some tools you can create for yourself:
- a LinkedIn profile that aligns with the way recruiters search for you. Here are tips for a great LinkedIn profile.
- a short blurb about yourself for emails you will send to people when you ask them to make an introduction to someone you want to meet. Here is an email template.
- a 30 second verbal pitch about yourself for the many conversations you’ll have with people while networking
- a resume that multiple people you trust have proofread — you may have different versions for different jobs
- a cover letter template that you can version for different jobs
- a tracker (e.g. Google Sheet) including target companies, jobs, people you can reach out to. Here are tips for tracking.
Actions
The highest priority actions to take are submitting applications and talking to people so they know you’re looking. The job search is a volume game, especially at a trickle, not at a deluge. It may better to apply for 1–2 jobs every day for a month than to apply for 5 jobs every weekend. Also, 1–2 jobs every day is easier for accountability for yourself in terms of breaking down job search tasks to check off. You never know when a recruiter will get back to you. Though you can try to influence a recruiter with a referral, you cannot control when a recruiter will get back to you. So, if you keep your funnel open at a consistent trickling pace, it’ll help you keep your candidacy out there for consideration.
Sometimes, luck and timing will work out in your favor. Perhaps you have no referral but you applied “the normal way” through the company website or through LinkedIn, and the recruiter really sifts through hundreds of applicants, finds yours, and calls you, months after you originally applied. You thought that job was no longer open, since you applied so long ago. Perhaps timing of that recruiter’s outreach and the hiring manager’s goals lined up with your interest and availability. This scenario is a true story, and it could happen to you.
Don’t be bashful about networking. Research people and their bosses and their direct reports on LinkedIn and on their websites company pages. If you notice words in their title or job summary that you don’t understand, look up those words. Learn about the organizational structures of the workplaces that interest you. Then, try to speak to people who work at those places. See where you can get an introduction from someone, whether from the alum network or from friends and family. You can also reach out cold to people on LinkedIn, or email them yourself- this is normal, don’t worry about feeling like you’re a stalker or you’re intruding. Just be mindful of what you’re asking for and why when you ask to connect. It takes time (e.g. could be multiple coffee chats, could be years of keeping in touch) to build relationships with others so they trust you. Attend events to hear people speak about their work experiences, follow the companies you’re interested in on social media, and sign up for their newsletters. Check out this repository of recorded workshops and webinars on career development from the Barnard Alumnae network and Beyond Barnard. Absorb and evaluate the information you’re getting from your meetings and from your research and link everything back to your values for your job search- this should help you align on a path to using the mindset and tools you have to secure a job.
A Final Thought
As you go about your job search, here’s a way to think about the different steps of your career. Since graduating Barnard, you have been blooming like a flower in various environments. Perhaps you had unforgettable classes that impacted the way you think about the world, and perhaps you had compelling experiences in your internships with meaningful work. Perhaps there were also job experiences where you didn’t necessarily “bloom” but you still grew and developed your skills. Now, imagine the next “flower pot environment” you will get replanted in when start your next job. How will your next flower pot allow you to grow in a new way, towards blooming in a new direction? How can you apply a values-based mindset and a set of polished tools to the actions you will take in your search for your next flower pot?
Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out within the Athena Alumnae Network. Your success is the Network’s success!
About the author
Amy Chen is the Founder of the Athena Alumnae Network. She has had a non-linear career path from studying Economics at Barnard to working in the technology sector. She wrote this piece to offer guidance to alumnae who are seeking structure and control in their job search. Thanks to Victoria Gordon, Anna Ward, Kate Bergin and Stephanie Estey for reviewing this piece and providing feedback before the piece was published.
