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Reactive vs. Proactive Job Search Strategies



There are two kinds of job searches: reactive and proactive. Most people use reactive job search strategies, which means they look for job openings and then apply for the ones that interest them. So, when you send your resume to recruiters and respond to job board postings, you are really at the mercy of what comes up.

In a proactive job search, you pick the companies and the jobs you are seeking. This way, you get the job that you chose and worked to get versus just hoping a good job comes your way through the recruiters and job boards.

Before you start your job search, make sure you have a well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile, since employers will use these to see if you're a great candidate for the job. Once you've updated those, you're ready to begin your proactive job search.

Here are four key steps in a proactive job search...

1. Identify Which Companies Interest You


Young woman writes something down while researching companies for her proactive job search

There are a number of ways you can identify companies. Start by making a list of 10-20 companies that you think you would love to work for. This is your interview bucket list.

Talk to your friends and colleagues and see who they recommend as well. Note that LinkedIn has a very strong company search feature that can help. Go to LinkedIn, click on the search bar, and hit enter. Then select the "Companies" filter at the top of the page and search. If you find a company that might interest you, click on their profile and see if you're passionate about a product or service they provide, or their mission.

If you are, then you should probably add the company to your list.

2. Research The Companies


Man researches companies for his proactive job search

The next step in a proactive job search is to learn more about the organization and determine if it is a place you really want to work. There are a number of ways to do this. The first thing to do is to visit the company website and go to the "About Us" section. You can review the company history, products, and services, and make sure you check out the "News" and "Press Releases" sections to see the latest newsworthy events.

Make sure you look at their blog, too—if they have one—as it gives you a good idea of their areas of expertise and corporate culture. Also, check out all of their social media accounts to get a better idea of the company culture, and remember to follow them.

Also, there are a number of excellent tools like Glassdoor that provide anonymous reviews of thousands of companies, salaries being paid, reviews of the corporate culture, and evaluations of top executives. Sometimes they will even show you questions that are asked in an interview. It's a good idea to research companies on this site and on similar sites during your proactive job search.

3. Leverage Your Network


Woman leverages her network during a proactive job search

Go back to LinkedIn's company search capability and enter the name of the company that interests you. Note that when the listing comes up, it will tell you how many people in your network are employed there. This is a good place to start and you can reach out to these people for assistance.

Tip: People respond much better when they are asked for advice versus being asked to help someone get a job.

A good message to send to your connections on LinkedIn might be: "I am looking at XYZ as a potential employer and was wondering if you could tell me about the corporate culture there?" You can also send this type of message to your extended network.

4. Reach Out To Hiring Managers


Father conducts a proactive job search

Now that you have identified companies that interest you, it is time to identify people who work there. Again, LinkedIn is a great tool here.

Start by identifying the hiring manager and staff in the area you wish to join. Look for people who would be your peers and their managers.

Now see what LinkedIn Groups they've joined. This is important because if you join the same group, you can now communicate with them for free without updating your LinkedIn account.

Look to see if they have participated in any group discussions. This is a great way to enter the conversation and start showcasing your expertise. And remember to keep your comments upbeat, positive, and professional.

Do the same for Twitter. Select the contact button under their profile and see if they have a Twitter handle. Follow them and see what kinds of tweets they have put out. Again, a terrific way to join the conversation.

Now look to see if you have people in your LinkedIn contacts that can provide an introduction to them. Ask what they know about the company and if they recommend them as a potential employer. Ask them what they think is the best way to get introduced.

Note that you did not ask them to introduce you, but rather you asked them for advice on how to get introduced. You're not asking for a favor.

Finally, reach out to the hiring manager. Make sure you have a good 30-second elevator pitch that briefly describes your background and value proposition. And remember that people hire people they like so try to build rapport.

A proactive job search takes discipline so set weekly goals for yourself. The benefit is you will end up in a job that you chose instead of in one you got through happenstance.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Reactive vs. Proactive Job Search Strategies

Why You Should Embrace Networking (Especially If You Hate It)



After a long day at work, sometimes all you want to do is sit on the couch, eat a bag of chips, and zone out watching television. The thought of attending a networking event seems so daunting. Not only do you have to give up free time, but you also may have to talk with strangers.

With this type of mindset, it's easy to see why so many people are apprehensive about the concept of networking. However, when you avoid networking, you miss out on so many great opportunities.

While networking can feel uncomfortable at first, it's actually a huge investment in yourself. Many people avoid networking simply because they're not used it, but like anything, practice makes perfect.

Here are the top reasons why you should embrace networking:

Take Networking As A Challenge


Building networking skills not only builds confidence but it also plays an important role in professional development, career planning, and potential job searches down the line.

The best way to build these skills is to embrace networking as a challenge. Like going to the gym to reach a fitness goal or taking online courses to further a career, you take on this challenge in order to achieve a long-term goal.

Flex Your Networking Muscle


Young woman networks with colleagues at work

When you're working out at the gym you don't see instant results. You have to put the work in. Networking is the same way. The results won't be instant but every step you take puts you in a better position.

Make networking a habit. Try to attend some sort of social function each week to keep those networking "muscles" flexin'.

Make Networking Part Of Your Routine


Man networking on LinkedIn

A simple change of attitude could go a long ways in changing your outlook about networking. The hardest part is getting started!

Put Yourself Out There


Man at a networking event

Start by putting yourself out there and attending local networking events reach out to a well-connected colleague to help introduce you to other professionals both in and outside your field.

The more this is done, the easier it becomes. Soon, you'll see your network slowly grow. Having a large professional network can lead to new friendships and mentorships.

Most importantly, this network could eventually turn into future job references, LinkedIn endorsements, and job opportunities.

You never know when you'll be looking for a new job. So, get off the couch, meet some new people, and see where your network takes you.

Rethink Your Networking Strategy


Woman networking on LinkedIn

Don't be a selfish networker. While networking can work to your advantage, remember that it's important to help others, too. This is especially true when connecting with someone on LinkedIn. Don't ask for favors right away. Show your value as a connection first.

How's Your Networking Etiquette?


Man networks with people at work

Take inventory of your networking habits. There may be simple ways to improve.

No matter where you are in your career, you shouldn't pass up networking opportunities. We hope these tips help you embrace networking, instead of fearing or dreading it.

Need more help with your career?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Why You Should Embrace Networking (Especially If …

Networking Masters



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Networking Masters

10 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Career TODAY



Your manager is not responsible for your career. You are. They are responsible for your output. So waiting until annual review time to determine your goals and accomplishments is not the best idea.

Here are 10 things you can do today to improve your career.

1. Set Small Goals Regularly


Man writes down his career goals

When it comes to annual reviews, there is so much focus on goals for the year. A year is a long time—too long in fact to set tangible, achievable goals. Therefore, it is far wiser to set smaller goals throughout the year.

Think about your day-to-day work. What could you be doing to elevate that work? Are there skills you could learn to help you advance? Think about this for a bit and then make a list of goals that relate to these items. And then, once you've set the goals, give yourself a deadline to have learned these things.

When you've hit the deadline, give yourself a grade. Seriously. It works. Did you do it? Did you do it well? Then ask someone else how they would score or grade you on these new skills. Then rinse and repeat.

2. Stretch Yourself


Woman goes out of her comfort zone to present during a meeting

The smartest of us say that success is just outside of our comfort zone. So it goes without saying that you must stretch beyond your area of expertise.

Do something that scares you. Don't like public speaking? Start signing up for presentations at work or networking events. Does it terrify you to put your industry thoughts out there? Ask someone for the opportunity to guest post.

Whatever gives you the collywobbles, sign up for it—today.

3. Get Feedback


Woman gets feedback on her career from her boss

While self-assessment is important, it is also important to get feedback. And it is important to get feedback all the time.

For example, at the end of each and every meeting I lead, I ask the following questions:

  • "What really worked for you?"
  • "What would make it even better if?"

You can learn a lot from these two questions. So much about your work product and performance can be gleaned from these two questions. Give it a try and see what you learn.

4. Curate Your Work


Man tries to improve his career

Do you have any idea how many amazing things you've done this year? Probably not, because you aren't curating that great work anywhere to revisit it.

There are countless places for you to store this work in a cloud. When you've got a great portfolio of work you've produced and are proud of, it's like writing your resume as you go.

It is also easy to share with your manager at review time. You're better prepared to wow them when you've got yourself visual proof of your awesomeness.

5. Be Curious About Your Industry


Group of professionals improving their careers

Spend time each and every week as a student of your industry or company. Study your industry and company as if you'll be tested on them. Ask questions of people in your space. Ask your manager and colleagues questions. Ask your company's customers how they feel.

Develop thoughtful insights about the industry and your company. And don't be shy about sharing those insights.

6. Read


Woman reads to improve her career

Spend time reading blogs, big and small. Spend time reading books about your profession. Read business books that stretch your thinking.

At the end of the day: read!

Reading new things can start conversations when you're networking and can also build your own career with new ways to do things and different work and life hacks to make life flow a little more smoothly.

7. Network Brilliantly


Man networks to improve his career

Never, ever, ever send a standard LinkedIn invite. Ever. We cannot stress this enough. Personalize the message and tell the recipient what you have in common, and how you'd like to help them. If you do not know someone, ask someone in your network for an introduction.

Networking brilliantly is about leaving a positive impression. And it isn't just LinkedIn. Attend industry events and local events and meet as many people as you can. This will also help in being curious about your industry.

8. Get A Mentor


Man mentors a woman to help her improve her career

Mentors are great resources for all of these elements. Need feedback? Ask your mentor. Need to bounce off industry or company insights? Looking for ways to stretch? Mentor!

9. Get A Protégé


Two coworkers help each other with their careers

Conversely, a good protégé can also be a tremendous resource to learn from as well. A protégé can bust some of your paradigms. They can also expose you to new thinking and present you with new ways to solve problems and look at things.

10. ABL (Always Be Listening)


Man listens during a meeting at work

Even if you are really happy in your current role, it never hurts to listen to other opportunities and build relationships with new people in the industry. In fact, that's what you're supposed to be doing if you want to grow and improve your career.

Always be open to new opportunities and new connections with people, plus it feels really good when you get noticed!

Improve your career today by following the tips above! Remember: If you want to win, you've got to work it daily.

Looking for more ways to improve your career?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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10 Things You Can Do To Improve …

How To Make Friends With Ambitious People



If you’re trying to take yourself and your life to the next level, it makes a lot of sense to aim higher when it comes to making friends. The right friends will support you emotionally and provide practical help along the way.

If you have exciting friends that aren’t as ambitious as you are, chances are that they’re unconsciously holding you back. You don’t have to stop seeing them; your best bet is to focus on building friendships with new people. If you want to make friends with ambitious people, read on.

In this article, I would like to share with you three important steps. These steps will help you go to the next level in your social life, meet many ambitious and interesting people, and have them stick around for a long time.

Step #1 – Take Control Of Your Social Life (Don’t Leave It To Chance!)


People seem to leave their friendship life to chance, more often than not. While that probably worked well when you were a kid, it most certainly won’t work for you as an adult. With no college or school to facilitate new friendships, you need to be proactive about it. This means that you get conscious and curious about friendship and how it works—consciously make time, every week, for meeting new people, staying in touch, and hanging out with them.

Studies have shown that the influence other people have on you is strong; your destiny literally depends on the people you hang out with. This is why it’s important to have a clear idea of the kind of people you want to have in your life. All you have to do is make a general list of qualities, attributes, or activities that you want in your future friends. It doesn’t have to be definitive; it’s just a guide for your mind. You can start by listing qualities like "healthy," "ambitious," "honest," "productive," "fun," "interesting," etc.

Step #2 – Adopt These Winning Social Habits


Man shakes someone's hand while networking

Success in your friendship life means that you don’t only use the tips once in a while; it means that you adopt the easy new habits that will work on a consistent basis. The first habit is to go meet new people every month. The way to do that is to join a local community that meets up once or twice every month. Try a few that you can find on meetup.com and decide on the one that has the kind of people you'd like to get to know better. In general, go where meeting people is easy; focus on places like trade shows, cultural or charitable events, seminars and talks, and so on.

The second habit is to dedicate at least one hour every week to reaching out to people in your network. You can put it in your calendar; it can be something like every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Early in the week is better. Contact and network with important/strategic LinkedIn connections during this hour. This habit will make sure you don’t lose touch with your existing friends, and follow up with the new people you meet.

The third habit is to decide what you’re going to do over the weekend ahead of time. When it’s time to reach out to people, plan ahead and decide on what you want to do; suggest that plan to those you want to see. This is why it’s important that you contact people early enough in the week, when they haven’t already decided what to do on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Step #3 – Build A Social Circle


Group of friends eat dinner together

Making friends can be time-consuming if you don’t optimize your efforts. If you’re always the one calling and making plans, then you’re not going to be doing it for very long. The best way to tackle this is to focus on forming groups of friends, instead of having a bunch of friends that don’t know each other. I recommend that you always introduce the people that you know to each other, especially if they’re of the ambitious kind. After they meet once or twice, a new group emerges, and you now have a circle of friends. When that happens, they start to call and make plans as well, which means you’ll have more time to contact and make plans with people that you don’t know that well.

As you meet new people, introduce them to the existing group, and make it bigger. If you prefer to meet in small groups, this is a great strategy as well; you can still meet two or three people at the same time, even if your social circle has dozens of people in it.

These three steps will get you started on having ambitious, resourceful friends that will help you succeed, introduce people to you, and emotionally support you when you need it. What’s really important is to open your mind to learning about friendship, how it works, and how you can apply that information to your life.

We understand how difficult it is to make new friends, especially as an adult. The good news is, at Work It Daily, we provide you with a safe and supportive place where you can meet new people and network with like-minded professionals!

If you're struggling to make ambitious friends, we'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

Join our FREE community today to grow your professional network and make new friends!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Make Friends With Ambitious People