The Olympics are fully underway now and the enthusiasm is contagious. You can’t help but be inspired by these athletes who’ve dedicated their lives to their sports and overcome all sorts of obstacles to get to this moment in their careers. As job seekers, we’re also working to reach certain goals in our careers. Here are a few tips that apply to the job search:
1. Go for Gold
Many athletes train their entire lives with one goal in mind: to compete in the Olympics. However, you don’t become an Olympian overnight. These athletes train for years and compete in various tournaments to work their way into the upper echelons of their sport. They set smaller, incremental goals that will put them on the right path to the Olympics.
The same can be said about your job search. Finding a job is a job all in itself. It requires dedication, patience and a whole lot of work. As a job seeker, it’s important to take a moment at the beginning of your search to determine your career objectives. Write down your goals and post them near your computer so you can’t forget them. When you’re feeling down about the job search, go back to those goals to remember what you’re working towards. Remember that each application, networking event and interview is a step closer to your goal. And depending on your goals, there may be a job or two you take along the way to help prepare you for your ultimate career.
2. Cross Train
Cross training is an important part of every athlete’s regimen, including our Olympians. It has been known to improve performance, increase power, build stability and increase motivation. In short, utilizing different training methods and exercises makes the athlete more effective.
As a job seeker, you should utilize multiple channels when pursuing job leads. These include: applying to jobs directly, networking with those in your professional and social circles, and working with recruiters. By using all of these channels, you’ll increase the number of published and unpublished opportunities available for you to pursue.
3. Utilize Experts
The wise athlete surrounds him or herself with a team of experts to help reach his or her fullest potential. Trainers and coaches with expertise in body conditioning and sports strategy are brought in to help the athlete overcome weaknesses and play up strengths in order to be the best competitor possible.
The same strategy should be applied to those entering into the job hunt. No one expects you to be an expert in job search – frankly, you don’t look for jobs often enough to ever become great. Not to mention, it’s hard to be objective about your own resume and job goals. That’s the beauty of hiring experts – you receive professional, unbiased advice and support. And we’ve found that you’re 40% more likely to land the job you want when you have a professionally written resume.
While all job seekers may not be gold medalists, we can still learn from an Olympian’s perseverance. Keep your eye on the prize and remember to utilize these tips as you face your fiercest competition and the toughest Hiring Managers.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
US Olympic athletes, swimmer Ryan Lochte and gymnast Jordan Wieber, both had some not-so-great performances over the last couple days.
Lochte didn't medal in the 200-meter freestyle, and Wieber, who was the defending world all-around gymnastics champion, didn't make it into the finals as an individual.
But for both of these athletes, the Olympics aren't over yet. Ryan has more races today. Jordan will compete in the women's team competition.
There's a good lesson in here for all you job seekers out there.
You're going to have an "off" day. You're going to send out an application and realize you referenced the wrong company in the cover letter. Or you'll think you left plenty of time to get to an interview, and the rush hour traffic will interfere and make you late.
But in either of these situations, you have to shake off the bad performance and look towards the next event. That's what great athletes do. And as a job seeker, that’s what you need to do.
There are other applications to be sent. And you still have to pull it together and wow the interviewer. You can't let one mistake shake your resolve. In the world of job seeking, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
You’re looking for the right job that will ultimately help lead you down the path towards your ideal career. There will be tons (ok, maybe not tons, but lots and lots) of job applications, networking events, interviews ... hey, there will probably be a few actual jobs added to your work history during your pursuit for the dream job.
So shake off your bad performance. Take a deep breath. Go grab a cup of iced coffee. Or take a 20-minute break and watch the Olympics. Or do some crazy yoga poses. Or break out the drum set for a quick instrumental solo. Whatever you need to do to (safely and healthily) blow off some steam.
Then come back to your computer and get back to work. No one said searching for a job would be fun (in fact, I’ll be the first to say it isn’t fun). It’s a job. And it requires steady, consistent activity from you each and every week. Just like an athlete in training.
But it will all be worth it when you start that new job – keep that end goal in mind!
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
If you have an abiding interest in the 2012 Olympics in London, you’re not alone. Over 4 billion people are expected to tune in to the opening ceremony on July 27th. Of course, the real excitement is what follows: days packed with the high drama of international athletic competition. It’s too bad you’re going to miss most of them by being at work.
Or are you?
Streaming coverage makes workplace viewing possible, but doing so is more complicated than just tuning in and minimizing it when your boss walks by. With a little foresight and a lot of self-discipline, you can watch your favorite events from your desk without disrupting your productivity. Take these tips to heart and you can watch the pole vault until your heart’s content.
Don’t be sneaky. Be sure to clear any Olympics viewing with your supervisor. Unless watching online entertainment is an acceptable practice in your office, you don’t want to be caught streaming the Women’s Shot Put Semis when you should be finalizing that budget.
Be mindful of bandwidth. Streaming online content tends to eat up substantial bandwidth, so check with your friendly neighborhood Helpdesk folks and find out if your office’s infrastructure can support a lot of streaming without causing outages on your network. After all, you don’t want to interfere with productivity.
Be aware of the example you’re setting. If you have direct reports, it’s likely they’ll notice that you’re following your favorite event. Invite them to do the same, but set a firm policy regarding time and productivity. A simple email will do the trick, but don’t give the impression that you’re taking a lax attitude to watching TV while working. What begins with the Olympics may end with The Jersey Shore.
Don’t be a distraction. If you’re watching at work, remind yourself that you’re neither at the bar nor at home. Pounding your desk and shouting, “There’s no way that was a foul!” or high-fiving officemates to get them pumped for Mixed Dressage is inappropriate, distracting, and downright rude. This doesn’t mean you can’t be excited. Just be excited quietly.
Consider using the Olympics as a reward for great performance. This is another pointer for those of you with direct reports. If there’s a TV in your kitchen or a conference room, consider offering unfettered Olympics access for a specific time period as a reward for exemplary work.
Since the Summer Olympics only come around every four years, many employers are willing to treat them as a bit of a special occasion and are willing to make allowances for workplace viewership. Know your company’s policies and don’t abuse the privilege. That way, you can keep up with your favorite events while keeping your boss and peers in awe of your own gold-medal performance.