How to Get Career Traction in Uncertain Times: Young Professionals Take N.O.T.E.

Does it feel like you’re blindly shoving job applications into the void and hearing nothing back?

If you’re looking to make your next career move – whether you are currently unemployed or unhappily employed– but you’re not sure where to focus or what to do, I got you.

You don’t need me to tell you that we’re living through some wild times. I get it, which is why I’ve come up with the following time-tested tips for young professionals to N.O.T.E. if they want to get career traction, particularly in today’s uncertain economy:

Network to Give vs. Get - Do you avoid attending professional networking events because you haven’t memorized your elevator pitch when people ask, “What do you do?”

Then I have good news for you!

The truth is, most people don’t care about – or aren’t listening to – what you say; rather, they care about how you leave them feeling. (Thank you, Maya Angelou.)

The most important thing about networking is making human connections. Building lasting relationships and being a helpful resource for others are much better reasons to network than asking someone right off the bat if their company is hiring.

In my experience, when you are authentically focused on giving vs. getting (in networking and in life), the Universe has your back. (Thank you, Gabby Bernstein.)

Own Your Job Search (and Your Life) - When we look at the headlines, life can feel heavy and even depressing– like we have no prayer of making a difference.

While we cannot control much of what happens in the world, we can absolutely choose how we respond and where to focus our precious life energy and our unique gifts.

Take a breath, figure out what you’re grateful for, and choose to be positive and proactive vs. reactive and negative. Don’t be waiting for things to fall into place. Instead… be the light, be the change you wish to see. (Thank you, Mahatma Gandhi.)

What could happen if you shared your light big and bright? If you’ve been playing smaller than what you’re capable of (been there!), might you actually fear your own success more than failure itself? (Thank you, Marianne Williamson.)

Keep rolling, my friend. YOU. GOT. THIS.

Think Like a Business Owner - Imagine you are the employer when you are applying for jobs and during your interviews. Consider that nobody owes you anything.

I’ve often thought if everyone had to be self-employed for a year after high school, things would be quite different.

Growing up in a blue-collar family, my dad talked about a college degree like it was our golden ticket to anything in life. When I earned my college degree– and then my master’s– I realized the hard way that my degrees were only a small part of the success equation.

I needed to think like the business owner (my employer) who would be investing in me because of the tangible value I can add to his/her organization.

You’ve probably heard the expression, “It’s not what you know, it's who you know.” I understand this can feel especially frustrating if you worked your butt off to earn your college degree, but what if the real question you should be asking is, “Why should people know you?” In other words, how will you add value to others’ lives, and how will they know that?

Explore new possibilities - Have you considered creative options like volunteering, interning, or consulting that could serve as a bridge to your next career opportunity?

What kind of project can you volunteer to lead? What new skill or experience can you gain as an intern? What value can you add as a temporary consultant?

These ‘stepping-stone’ opportunities allow people in the world to see you in action making a positive difference– a critically missing element in today’s digital job search age.

When you are willing to replace your worries with curiosity, even for a day, you will likely be pleasantly shocked by the many doors that start opening up for you.

To Your Success!

Amy

P.S. If you are looking to supercharge your career, join us for the 2nd annual Career & Leadership Conference for Purpose-Driven Young Professionals IN-PERSON Friday, June 20th-- the first official day of summer, woohoo!