Job Search Self-Check - How Do You Measure Up?

When you're job searching, it can be hard to know if you're doing everything right. Why aren't you getting interviews? When will an offer come?

How long is this supposed to take?

For this week's blog, we're listing four ways you can self-check your job search efforts. Treat this blog as a checklist, and use the following four tips as "job search success" metrics.

Have someone review your resume

Have you gotten a second pair of eyes on your résumé?

Reach out to a friend (or career coach!) and see what they think. Do they clearly understand what job you are trying to land?

Did they find any typos? Proofreading is SO important for résumés. Employers can dismiss your application for just one typo if they want to!

Your résumé should be able to sell people on your talents in 20 seconds. If any of those 20 seconds are wasted on clarity or typos, you could be out of luck!

Record yourself answering interview questions

We always sound better in our head.

To check that you're giving quality interview answers - record yourself! Stand up and try answering a few common interview questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Why did you leave your last position?

3. Why should we hire you?

4. Tell me about a recent problem you solved.

When you listen back to the recording, self-check the following:

• Did you answer the question?

• Did you ramble?

• Were you clear?

• Did you connect your skills to the position?
  

Look at that - instant interview practice!

Take some time to reflect

Think back to your past couple positions. What did you like? What didn't you like?

Are there patterns?

Sometimes, when my clients take the time to reflect and self-check like this, they notice something: they're chasing down the wrong opportunity.

When we look at the roles we really want and really don't want, we sometimes see that the role we're chasing falls into the latter.

Don't just look for a job.

Look for a job you want to stay in!

If you're not self-reflecting and finding your ideal work culture, you might be chasing the wrong job.

Look to your peers

Ask your closest friends and coworkers the question:

"What three words would you use to describe me?"

They'll identify strengths and skills that you didn't realize you had.

If you let yourself believe what other people say about you - you'll be able to do amazing things.

These words from your loved ones will invigorate and focus you. Perhaps you'll see a transferable skill you didn't before. Maybe a new career path will become clear.

It's amazing the things you could accomplish if you let yourself be the person the world believed you to be!

If you really feel stuck:

You might benefit from speaking with a career coach. Here are five signs you might need one.

What help from a professional career coach?

Schedule your (FREE) career strategy session today.