One evening, a dear friend and I were chatting about past career goals and current achievements. Some years ago we talked about our plans for the future and what we hoped to accomplish by age 40. After comparing notes of then and reality, there was talk of our potential to do more. My friend phrased it in a great way: “We need to take a hard look at ourselves and figure out how to turn our potential energy into kinetic energy.” “Wow! How profound!” I thought. Later, I did a Google search to refresh my memory on the subject of potential vs. kinetic energy. Don’t judge. I’m sure I’m not the only one. For those of us who may need a refresher on potential energy vs. kinetic energy, I’ve taken the liberty to refresh you. Potential energy is energy that is in a stored form. It isn't being used at the moment, but is waiting to do work. Kinetic energy is energy that is in motion. This energy is performing work. Immediately upon “remembering” this, my thoughts went to job seekers.
Having been in the recruitment field for over 10 years, I’ve had my share of interaction with all types of job seekers. Active, Passive, Lazy. Ok “lazy” may be a bit harsh given the PC environment we live in. Perhaps “the less enthusiastic job seeker” (TLEJS) is a better title. Being a TLEJS doesn’t mean you are not doing anything, but that you keep doing unproductive things over and over. If your actions aren’t creating new opportunities then it is time to change what you are doing.
Turn that potential energy into kinetic energy. Seeking employment is a full time job.
Simply posting your resume on a job board and waiting on someone to call should not be your only strategy. The unemployment situation in its current state requires candidates to be far more proactive than in the past. Because there is so much competition, candidates must leverage the resources and connections they have and create more. We recently hired two great candidates via Twitter – Trish Freshwater and Marguerite Granat. Both candidates took advantage of the opportunity to connect not only with our recruiters but with our more senior level staff as well. And to talk about exposure, Trish was featured on Good Morning America on the topic of using Social Media to find employment. Sodexo offers many options to connect with our recruiters – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, this blog, and our Industry Microsites to name a few- all there is to do is start a conversation.
All candidates have the potential energy needed to get noticed; you have to make it work for you.
Job searching should not be all about virtual connections either. You have get up get out and do something. Think about all of the organizations and groups of which you are currently a part. If you are not active, become active. If not a member of a group or organization within your profession or of your professional interests, become a member. How might you leverage those contacts and connections for your job search, other than asking for a job? (That’s another post) Gain information, seek advice, and offer advice. Good old fashion networking has its advantages – online and off. A healthy combination of the new and the old are likely to yield favorable results.
Job searching should not be all about virtual connections either. You have get up get out and do something. Think about all of the organizations and groups of which you are currently a part. If you are not active, become active. If not a member of a group or organization within your profession or of your professional interests, become a member. How might you leverage those contacts and connections for your job search, other than asking for a job? (That’s another post) Gain information, seek advice, and offer advice. Good old fashion networking has its advantages – online and off. A healthy combination of the new and the old are likely to yield favorable results.
One has to exert the energy – the kinetic energy to make it happen.
Share your creative tips and strategies to make your job search work for you. I'm listening!
Share your creative tips and strategies to make your job search work for you. I'm listening!
After more than 10 years of sourcing and recruiting top talent for Sodexo as a Sr. Recruiter, Darla Mayse most recently accepted the role of Sourcing and Recruitment Marketing Specialist. She looks forward to continuing to brand Sodexo as an employer of choice through exciting and innovative marketing initiatives. Connect with Darla via Twitter (@dmayse), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
4 comments:
Nice post, Darla. When I spent half of last year as a job seeker after being laid off, I certianly went through 'lazy' periods. Period where i was spinning my wheels, applying to a couple of jobs, and spending long days at the coffee shop checking e-mail. It certainly true that you have to jolt yourself out of a routine adn try some different things - especially in terms of networking -- to avoid the pitfalls of what can quickly become a dreary routine.
Great post Darla! Sometimes as job seekers, one can tend to be content with just posting to a job and thinking that they will get a call back because of their resume. It's good to remind everyone that sometimes you have to take that "extra" step when trying to obtain your next job. Networking is a great "extra" step - virtually or otherwise.
I love your post I almost gave up looking for a job until I stopped filling out the apps and started networking with differnt people now I'm at a My manager offered me a managment job but it fell through in the end I felt like I was so close to getting it.He won't tell me why I didn't. Get the promotion how can I find out without bugging him about it I just want to know so I don't make the same mistake.
I truly enjoyed your posting, Darla. I too in the past got used to just posting my resume and waiting for a callback. I went to a seminar the past week in which the topic was about entrepreneurship. I met so many people with the connections I needed and I was able to help them as well. Im kind of not using my kinetic energy because I haven't contacted any of them yet, but I am first thing tomorrow. Your posting has been an inspiration. I'm still very active with my job search and are currently working a temp job. Thank God for it, because something is better than nothing at this point. I've applied for Accounting Clerk and Admiistrative Assistant jobs since my layoff in January. Eventhough, I feel so beat up from going interview after interview and not getting the job. Again, in the beginning, I was lazy with my job search. I probably went online twice a week to respond to any job postings. Unfortunately, I've experienced that when you apply online, you rarely get a response. The last three months, I've been applying and calling the companies to follow up with the application status.
As far as my business, I'm gonna use my kinetic energy to build my company. I now have connects to help me build from networking at the seminar last week. I was also offered a part time position from the Director of the seminar.
I agree with you 100% that networking whether face to face or PC to PC is a great way to use your kinetic energy.
Post a Comment