Coping with Coronavirus – Part I
Instead of “Positioning” Yourself, Spend Time Knowing Yourself. The Rest Will Come.
The following isn’t just for job seekers.
I’ll admit it: even though I sometimes use phrases like “resume polishing” and “personal brand” in my executive workshops, there’s a problem with this language: the perception. By solely focusing on how you are perceived, you can neglect core issues:
What value do you bring to the table?
What is the state of your self-worth and esteem?
What process did you use to set up your LinkedIn profile, its wording, your resume bullets, or your “brand pitch”?
Perhaps a more important question is this:
On a scale of 1-10, how much time do you spend getting to know the person who should be your number one advocate – you?
How often do we truly evaluate our place in life, our career, our sense of development and self-improvement? For some people, the thought of self-reflection and introspection creates a sense of overwhelming dread.
I should note that this practice doesn’t only apply to those who are experiencing large life changes or facing the ills of today’s job market. Those of us not seeking a new job (either within or external to your current company) still need introspection to maximize their success. If you are currently out of work, underemployed, or struggling with your career path in any way, this article will be especially applicable.
Let’s Start with What's NOT Working
Think like a sniper, not a duck hunter.
DO NOT apply your efforts blindly to a smattering of job openings, self-development sites, or internal transfers. There are endless amounts of information and opportunities out there. Not only can this be overwhelming, you can exhaust yourself chasing too many leads with diminished chance of payoff. Do yourself a favor and focus – not only with your approach, but also with your preparation. Up-front planning and forethought will narrow your focus, and filtering down your options will help you in the long run. To quote Ron Swanson from Parks & Rec: “Don’t half-ass a bunch of things; whole-ass one thing."
Life isn’t scripted.
DO NOT memorize your ‘pitch.’ Life doesn’t happen this way. Under pressure, you may not be able to tailor your pitch to the exact situation, and canned lines usually come off as insincere. If you seem over-prepared, overly slick, or even disingenuous, it can destroy your credibility in mere seconds. I’ve regularly seen blog posts touting the use of the 4P’s of Marketing (Place, Price, Product, & Promotion) for your overall brand. This view of your career and accomplishments as a product can lead you down the path of trying to be something you’re not. It’s not only misguided, but it could send the wrong message. YOU are the product.
Truth over Embellishment
DO NOT embellish your ability to produce results. Everyone serves as a consultant in some capacity, whether your role is a people manager, VP of finance, customer support rep, friend, mother, or clergy-person – at some point, you’re likely to be asked to give advice or be assigned tasks beyond your typical scope, especially in these unprecedented times. Focus on what you actually have done and define your transferable skills. This will help you frame what you are capable of, and help yourself and others see where you’re going. Sadly, building ‘sandcastles in the sky’ is just that – setting yourself up for empty working relationships without solid foundational work.
The Big One
Lastly, and let me be emphatic here: please DO NOT fall into the trap of thinking that adding a few fluffy keywords to your resume, personal or professional website, or Linkedin profile to be picked up by algorithms, AI sorting, search engines, etc., used by large companies as a way to project success. YOU are your success. In all my time in recruiting, looking at thousands of resumes, profiles, and websites, I know first hand that the people who want to hire you will see this as a RED FLAG and it’s much more likely to hurt you than help you.
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We hope this helps you get the ball rolling. Be sure to tune in for Coping with Coronavirus – Part 2.