Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Job Hunting

This is not a typical post for me, but I wanted to share because even in the ordinariness of life there is commonality.

Source
I'm job hunting and I'm totally ambivalent. For so long, approximately 5 years, I've had the flexibility of working from home as an E-Rate and Technology Consultant. I work for a small educational non-profit based in Northern California. Through this opportunity I have learned a lot, but I've reached a point where I'm ready to move on. To that end, I've put in serious work on my resume and have started sending out resumes.

We all know the key way to find your next opportunity is through networking, but when you are relatively new to an area networking is next to impossible. For the past 7 years while working and consulting, I've also tried to build a network.

Professionally, I'm not one of those people who has a straight line to the next opportunity.  Because I've done various things, sometimes I'm not even sure what my next opportunity would look like. So some times, I submit my resume, just because. I've learned that this is not a good strategy, because if you don't know where you are going any road will take you there.

I'm beginning to streamline my options and am getting calls that are more in line with my skill set and also a challenge for me.

Believe it or not, I'm having a crisis of confidence. Every time I express this thought the folks that know me are shocked, and then I'm shocked that they are shocked. But this is where I am.

Job hunting is challenging:

  • You must believe in yourself
  • You must always put your best foot forward
  • You must prepare
  • You must be able to say why you are a good fit for the position
  • You have to want what you're going after
  • You can't entirely be yourself (nerves are good)


There will be missteps along the way; you may have a bad interview, not connect with the interviewer or midway through the process realize this is not what you want. I have determined that I will use the missteps as opportunities for learning and not beat myself up too much.

In all of this, I rely on scripture. You know why? Because people mean well and have nice platitudes of encouragement. But I've found the best encouragement comes from scripture and may even be mirrored by well meaning friends. So I rely on scripture and talking to God.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Are you job hunting? What kept you going? 

22 comments:

  1. I haven't had to job hunt in a while which I am glad for. I've never liked it!! That's very brave of you to not settle for what's comfortable. Your work from home job sounds great but you aren't afraid to get out there and search for more. Best of luck!!!

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  2. You sound like me now . . . ready for your next big challenge. Good for you! I love that. In addition to the things you've mentioned I would also add that you must also know the company to which you've applied and be able to tell them why YOU are the person for their culture. Yes, the job is important for sure but having a broader outlook can often be very helpful. Not for nothing but job hunting is hard work and is akin to a full time job itself. Matthew 6:33, one of my favorite scriptures, will guide you well. When you are feeling ready for your next challenge, the best thing to do is exactly what you are doing. Know that I am praying for your growth and your success in this journey you are taking. All things are possible . . . He says it in His word!!

    It is okay to have a crisis of confidence. You've not been on the market for some time. But just acknowledge it, as you have, and keep it movin' . . . just don't stay there. Practice what you'll say (yes, you can do this even though you don't know what questions will be posed to you). Practice how to talk about yourself, what you offer, why you are good (at whatever you do), what makes you a great team member, change agent, leader, etc. and you will be just fine.

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  3. Completely agree with all of this!
    What kept me going was the fact that I didn't want to be at home anymore. I was getting so bored and it didn't help at all that I had just moved to a new town. It also gives me sense of purpose having a place to work at.

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  4. Good luck on the job hunt, Nylse! I’m sure you’ll be able to find a newer and even better job. I think job hunting is all about patience. It’s always about waiting for the perfect job offer to come along. Anyway, I love the honesty of your advice. Kudos! :D

    Donna Roland @ Epiphany Staffing Group

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  5. Looking for the next big job can sometimes be a challenge. You have give your best effort to stand out from the competition. But there are a lot of ways on how to prepare for all of this. In my opinion, the most important thing to make job hunting easier is knowing what job you really want to have, and not just looking for what is available. That way, you are more keen on getting it when you finally find one that fits your preferred tradecraft. Good luck!

    Jimmy Murphy @ Barracuda Staffing

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