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Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job. 

When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one." 

Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity. 

Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade. 

Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me.

Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned: 

  1. There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly. 
  2. There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to people that have asked me to help. 
  3. There are no shortage of people out there looking to take advantage of the situation that you are in and wanting to take your money. When you look at these experts, vet out their results and track record. 
  4. The shear amount of no responses and rejections can be debilitating. There should and will be a point where you are going to say, "f*ck it!," At that point, don't quit. Put that attitude in your resume, cover letter, and communications with your network.
The worst thing about looking for a job is that you have to put yourself out there and have someone judge what you've done or who you are-- from an application. It's hard to keep your self-esteem up when you may or may not have periods of imposter syndrome like I do.

All I can say, is that you know yourself better than anyone, so don't let other people give you some BS about why you can't do a job that you are perfectly qualified for or even over qualified for. 

If a company is looking for a sheet rock guy, don't advertise for a general contractor and wonder why you aren't getting more sheet rock guys. 

The journey of looking for a new job may suck. But the level of self-awareness it brings can be invaluable. 

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