There is some truth in the statement that it’s easier to find a job when you’ve got a job. There is no reason why it should be the case and there are many benefits to taking some time out between roles if the opportunity presents itself. Nonetheless it is one of those realities of life.
So what happens when you have a job and you are not thinking of finding another one? What is the point of applying for a job you have no intention of taking? The answer to that question is that most of the activity involved in finding a job doesn’t involve actually applying for them so there is no conflict there.
And as we discussed in last week’s article, connecting with people is the recipe for success in a job search and you can do that whether or not you have a job.
When in a job search though, this can appear daunting for two reasons:
- You have been so busy in your last role that you have lost contact with former colleagues and possibly some friends as well,
- You are unsure what to discuss.
The first reason is simply something to get over. Make a start and don’t worry too much if you don’t hear back. There are so many ways of reaching out to people these days that it could be simply that the person you are trying to contact doesn’t use that particular app that much.
The second reason is a bit more complicated. You clearly want something – a job – but if everyone was hiring all the time, the world would certainly look different. So what’s the best way to make a connection?
The answer is to see how you can help the person you have reached out to. You can connect friends and relatives with each other if they are in a job search too. You may have read an article which you think a connection of yours may find interesting. If you are in a challenging situation, or if you are feeling bad following redundancy, ‘paying it forward’ in this way will make you feel better to start with and then you can move on from there.
Every conversation will provide you with insights which builds confidence and it will help you refine your own message about who you are and what you do, which we’ll talk about next week.
If you are looking for your next IT/Digital role and want to speak to a team who know this industry inside out, then get in touch. We can help you with those connections.
