Meaningful Professional Development | stedtnitz. design your life

I’ve witnessed time and again how even highly qualified professionals don’t have the right tools to properly approach their job-search. Most people go the “how it’s always been done” route: using popular job platforms or reaching out to their personal network. While there’s nothing wrong about these methods, there’s another approach that might lead to success more quickly.

I’ve observed that a shift in focus towards your own needs is much more likely to guide you towards that dream job.

Consider replacing the question, “who might want to hire me?” with “where would I like to work?”.

Clarify your professional and personal interests, as well as your strengths and wishes. This will help you create a clear image of your ideal work-place. It will also allow you to approach your research and your contacts in a more focused way.

Play around with seeing yourself as an “information-seeker”, this will allow you to move from a place of neediness to a place of curiosity and openness.  Many of our clients have quickly expanded their network, increased their professional confidence and landed their desired positions using this approach.

A study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research in Nürnberg (IAB), which surveyed 15,000 German companies, found that interpersonal relationships are not only one of the most important aspects of a job search, they are also most likely to lead to success. Almost two in every three job seekers who used this approach ended up landing the job. These results are likely also applicable to other countries.

Recently an HR manager at a local private bank let us know that a staggering 60% of positions filled at his bank are thanks to interpersonal relationships. Pretty amazing if you think about it.

That’s why this is the takeaway that I want to offer up to you: take ownership over your job search process and create genuine and meaningful connections with potential employers. Also, don’t be afraid to try out an unsolicited application if that’s what your gut is telling you to do. Information interviewing is a win-win for both sides.