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Posted on February 14, 2021 under Career & Work
If not, I'm sending you a Career Valentine to help you find the perfect job match.
The search for heartfelt work is just like the search for the love of your life.
Strategically dating your Dream Job Match can lead you to tie the knot with a great employer for a healthy, long, and profitable relationship.
Awareness of the constant parallel between your professional and personal relationships is a big “a-ha” moment for many professionals.
Therefore, this is no silly little love note – getting in touch with your relational issues is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to solve career challenges.
We’ve all had our share of bad interviews and dates. I’m talking about the prospective boss who asks if you can pick up their dry cleaning on the way out the door and the Romeo or Juliet who talks about their exes non-stop during dinner.
Practicing discernment – meaning being picky within reason – is an exercise in intuition, pride, and wise matchmaking.
What does discernment look like?
Build a Profile of Your “Perfect” Job Match or Partner – Envision exactly what you desire down to the very last detail. This is invoking the power of the Law of Attraction. Creating a clear description will help you know him or her when you meet them!
Have Deal Breakers – Absolutely know where to draw the line. Do not compromise your needs or spirit.
Date Before You Mate – Don’t commit until you have all the facts, run references or background checks, and have observed people under different situations.
Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away – No one ever owns you. You always have the power to say NO. No matter how great an offer or proposal sounds, if your gut says run please lace up your track shoes and head for the hills!
It matters how you present yourself. Having an irresistible brand is how you become the number one candidate for your new job or partner.
You must deliberately design yourself as an attractive package that others will desire, seek out, and commit to. Your assignment is to:
Get Your Story Straight – Know how to talk about your experience. Prepare to answer tough questions, have a short but compelling self description, and be a poised and gracious conversationalist no matter the situation.
Look Your Personal Best – Pay special attention to wardrobe, grooming, and good hygiene. Be appropriate, up-to-date, and flattering for results.
Have Pick Up Lines – This is much more well-known in singles bars but the reality is that job candidates need to get hiring managers’ attention and keep it. Share your top three differentiators as a professional.
Stand for Value – You are a quality man or woman. Articulating the values that are important to you is an important litmus test for what can or can’t work in a mutually committed relationship. What might be ok for a contract gig or casual dating isn’t ok for long-term employment or marriage. Best to be honest up front.
“Getting Out There” has a bit of a bad rap in my humble opinion. But this is really where the magic happens. For many, the mere thought of attending a networking breakfast or signing up for speed dating brings on heart palpitations.
The reality is that you will land your next job or say yes to your mate because you took action to create the outcome.
If you’re sinking deeper into your couch then you must get off it! Your new boss or spouse will not fall through the ceiling.
I want you to do the following in the next 30 days:
Set a Quota – Decide how many events or dates you will attend in the next month. I’m super stern about this. Turn it into a contest with a friend if you must.
Get Visible on Social Media – If you’re not online you simply don’t exist. As a job seeker you have to be on LinkedIn, no negotiating. For you lovebirds, pick a popular app such as Match.com, OKCupid, or Tinder (for the adventurous!).
Reach Out – Make a list of at least 50 of your trusted contacts and let them know what you’re looking for and if they know of anyone who could connect you to the company or “single and ready to mingle” you want.
My 3 Hot Job Match Tips can be deceptively difficult. I’m into prescribing “simple not easy” tactics because that’s how we best get the results we want.
Are you ready to Love Your Work?
-Kelley A. Joyce, MBA, CPC
Kelley is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. Kelley and her partner Josh live in New York City from which she has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work.
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