Opportunity does not always knock

Looking for a new job/ career can be very stressful. Within the past five years I have changed companies, and have had quite a few friends and colleagues move onto new jobs and careers during this time.

There are hundred different reasons’ you may be looking for a new position. Your reason for looking/ leaving your current position will be one of the first questions you will be asked.

The first step in your job ‘hunt’ is to position the reason you left or looking to leave into a positive light. You need to make the hiring manager/HR feel confident in you as a candidate.

Below are some of the lessons that have been learnt. Many are common sense, yet I feel it is always a good reminder.

Lessons Learnt:

·         Even if you are not looking to change companies, grow your network with companies you could see yourself working for.

·         Decide what is most important to you (e.g. medical, salary, commute, hours etc.)

·         Keep in contact with ex colleagues. They generally stay in the same field, and are excellent resources. (e.g. providing you information about their new company, getting you in front of the right people)

·         Do not apply online! Make sure to get a contact within the organization to send your resume too.

Use LinkedIn to find Managers and HR Leaders within the organizations you are looking to work for. Contact the Manager and HR directly. If they are interested they will have HR reach out to you or the Manager will reach out too you personally. (I.e. send separate emails to HR and Manager)

Ask questions during the interview which are relevant for you, not just what you found on the internet. (E.g. Give scenarios of current situations happening at your current work which you do not like and/or do like and see how they would handle it. If medical is important to you, find out about the coverage available)

·         Research Research Research (What does the company stand for, who are the leaders/ managers…what is their philosophy etc.) With the internet become a ‘stalker’. Google ‘everything’.

·         Discuss salary, benefits etc. with the hiring manager (time it correctly), not only with HR.

·         There can be miscommunication which could make an offer fall through. Make sure everyone’s message is clear  (https://goo.gl/Gu3GdU)

·         Make sure everyone knows what the next steps and expectations are.

·         Salary is negotiable

·         Ask to meet the staff you will be working with

·         Rapport is extremely important.

·         Send follow up email to thank whomever you met (make sure to get everyone’s business card that you meet)

·         Some questions to ask yourself: “Can I see myself having a career with the organization”, “Can I grow, and learn?”, “Are their growth opportunities?”, “Would I enjoy going for a drink with my manager and colleagues?”, “Are the goals attainable?”, “What  can I achieve for the company”

·       

  Remember that it is a two way relationship. What do you bring to the ‘party’?

“Finding a job that is a good fit is as much about you selecting the right company as it is about them selecting the right candidate.” ― Miles Anthony Smith

“When my father was 17, he went to Montreal and found these submarine sandwich shops that were really successful, and weren't in Toronto [his home town]. So he went to my grandparents and said: "Look, you have to give me the seed money to open up one of these places. We'll make a fortune. They've got lines going round the block. There's nothing like that here." And my grandfather's response was: "Look, I'm sure these sandwiches are really good, and if we scraped the money together we could make a lot of money and your mother and I would be really proud of you, but you need to find something that has *magic* in it for you.

It was off of that conversation that my father went to college on a music scholarship, started a film club and became one of the most successful directors of all time.” ― Jason Reitman

Good luck in your search and may you find the career you deserve and are looking for.