Does the World Know You’re Looking?

The idea that people need know you’re looking for your dream job can be scary for some. Letting people know you are in job hunting mode can make you feel vulnerable. You might have to explain that you got laid off or even fired. You might have to explain to people that you are in this situation because of something you did or didn’t do.

You might have to actually ask for help.

I have found some people find the idea of telling people they are looking for a job and may need help challenging. I have to admit I was surprised when I figured this out. I guess I am so transparent that I didn’t find it difficult to ask for help. But a lot of people do. So after working with a large number of clients, I figured out three easy steps to get you started.

Step 1: Start with your family and close friends. Let the people closest to you know what happened and that you are looking. If you were laid off or fired, it is important that you get comfortable telling your story without blame or shame. I will cover this in detail in another post. For now, just call someone or set up a lunch and tell them you need help finding a job.

Step 2: Tell the world electronically. It is as simple as updating your LinkedIn and/or Facebook profiles to positively reflect that you are seeking a new adventure. It is a low risk—you don’t even have to talk to anyone. Just change your status and you might be surprised who reaches out to you. Go ahead try it!

Step 3: Get in touch with an old boss and let them know you are looking. It can be a little intimidating but it works. You might be surprised what insights they can share about you or your search. They are always flattered and honored to help. I have done it each time I was on a quest for the next step and found their words to be very helpful. So go ahead and look up in your contacts list, search their names on the Internet, or try to find them in the phone book. Reach out to your favorite old boss and touch base. If nothing else, it will be fun to catch up.

The steps are simple. You just have to let everyone know you are looking. You have to stay aware of the possibilities just by sharing your dream.

So who will you call right now?

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