7 Ways to Gain Ground on a Job Search

Ralph Barsi -

If you’re still on the market, the slog doesn’t need to drag on.

1. Know precisely what you want.
2. Be specific and give context.
3. Ask smart questions.
4. Fix your self-talk.
5. Follow up and follow through.
6. Put your agents to work.
7. Pick up the pace.

Since January, the tech industry has laid off 138,000 people. Over 500 different companies have let people go. (January-September 2024, Layoffs.fyi)

If you’ve commenced “Operation Get a New Job Like Right Now,” consider these steps. Ask for help, but help others help you.

In order to resume your work, you need to get to work.

1 - Know precisely what you want. Are you after one opportunity or many? In the famous story, Alice asked, “Which road should I take?" The Cheshire Cat replied, "Where are you going?" Alice said, "I don't know." So the cat responded, “Then it doesn't matter which road you take.” What is it you want?

2 - Be specific and give context. The resume, for example, can say you “worked closely with different business functions,” or it can say you “met weekly with finance and ultimately lowered expenses by 8% across 3 regions.” You pick. Crafting a 30-60-90 day plan? Let every action earn its place in the plan. Specificity is paramount.

3 - Ask smart questions. We’re not judged by answers we give, but questions we ask. Open-ended questions: “How does this compare?” “What have you noticed?” “Why do it this way?” Yes-no questions: “Good time to talk?” “Can I pick your brain?” “Will you consider this?” One prompts dialogue and one limits it. Sharpen the questions you ask.

4 - Fix your self-talk. The easiest of the steps. Think you’re too old, or unqualified, or incapable, or lazy? YOU’RE RIGHT. That narrative snowballs as it’s repeated in your head. Let go of “where you were” and look forward. For life to improve, YOU must improve. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Add positive actions and service to the mix and you’ll walk tall. 

5 - Follow up and follow through. When job seekers ask for help, they sometimes neglect to say how the story ends. Help requires time, and time is precious. A note about how you applied tips and tactics, or how your conversation with a referral went, or about the offer you received (or accepted) goes a long way. “I haven’t forgotten but want you to know I’m on it” keeps us rooting for you.

6 - Put your agents to work. When you’re not in the room or on the call, how can hiring teams learn about you? This is where your resume, LinkedIn profile, blog, or portfolio become delegates working on your behalf. They represent you when you’re not in the room or on the call. Make sure they represent you well.

7 - Pick up the pace. One of my favorite quotes is from Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink: “Motivated? Doesn’t matter. GO!” Too many of us wait for inspiration, wait to be told what to do, or wait for a good day. Instead, you’re the one that must inspire action, tell yourself what to do, and create good days. Hear the snap of your fingers? Move that much faster.