I don’t know about you but I get a number of broadcast emails that say something like,
“I’m looking for a job. Let me know if you hear of anything.”
In most cases, I don’t know the sender and even in those cases when their names are familiar, I’m not aware of their talents or the specific jobs they are seeking. As a result, I’m not a good resource for them in their job search.
The sender has the right instincts: reaching out and asking for help from those in a position to know people they might not know. But when they don’t describe their strengths, skills, and abilities, the people they’re reaching out to can’t help them and that’s opportunity lost.
If that sounds like your story, listen up.
You need to help the helper. You need to be clear about what you do best – are valued for most – by the employers where you’ve worked.
Here’s an example of an email exchange I had with someone who sent her resume, wanting help with her job search. (She gave me permission to share the following with you.)
She: I’m looking for work. Can you help me?
Me: What job are you looking for and what have you done so far to find it?
She: Any job is okay with me. I’ve looked online and sent a bunch of resumes out, but no one’s calling me.
Me: I’ve looked over your resume and read the responsibilities of jobs you’ve held, but you’ve not clarified the kind of job you seek and how you would make a difference if you got it. That makes it difficult for the reader to know where to direct your resume or how to assist you.
She: I don’t want to get too specific because that might narrow my options. I want to be open to everything.
Me: That’s the problem. By not clarifying your preferences and providing examples of when you’ve succeeded beyond minimum expectation, you won’t be in contention.
She: That’s why my confidence is shot. I don’t know what I’m good at doing. I thought maybe testing would tell me what I don’t know.
Me: The test will tell you what you tell the test. And reading the feedback about what you’re telling it may help you in owning what you do best but it might not give you the confidence you need to let others know the truth about your abilities.
She: How do I get that?
Me: Have the courage to ask the people who are in the best position to know: the people you have worked for and with in the jobs that you have held.
She: What do I ask? What do I say?
Me: Ask them to tell you what you did best and how you made a difference. And take notes. You might be surprised at what you hear. Once you know what your references and networking contacts would be saying about you, you can confidently say the same things about yourself and your candidacy.
