Job Seeking the Second Time Around

When you go around the block a second time, you know where the potholes are

Unlike the song that says “Love is lovelier the second time around,” looking for a job the second time around may not be so sweet.

One thing that is becoming increasingly evident, according to one job coach, is that there is no such thing anymore as a “permanent position.” One study shows, when you find a new position now, you’re 2.67 years away from having to look again.

It’s painfully obvious that this is not good news. It’s certainly not any news that you were hoping to hear. But there may be silver linings nonetheless.

Finding the silver linings

As you go through your job search today, if you’re mindful of the fact that you may have to be doing this again in the not-too-distant future, you may approach your search today very differently and begin laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s search, today.

As our coaching friend notes, what you learn now, very likely you will use again later. Take good records and keep copious notes. Note who was helpful and who was a waste of time. Take note of what techniques were most useful in getting past the gatekeepers and the automated systems, and getting in touch with the people with whom you want to speak. Note those companies that seemed like good fits for you and those that didn’t.

Make note of where the good places are for breakfast, lunch, coffee, an after-work drink, etc. Take special care to note the job search groups that are most helpful. Be sure to record the names of the moderators or leaders of those groups.

Whatever notes and records you keep – especially your contacts and their contact information – make certain to store that data electronically and save it somewhere where you know you will find it. It wouldn’t hurt to make a back-up copy of those files either. It’s important too, to name those files in such a way that they can be easily retrieved and not inadvertently deleted.

Speaking of contact information, it’s critically important to, not just maintain that data, but also to keep it as current as possible. People do tend to be job transient. Although networking is essential to finding a job, it’s no less important after you’ve found one.

All those relationships that you begin during your job search may prove to be beneficial when you’re in your next job. And, they may become quite valuable if you ever find yourself in a position where you’re back in the job market.

The job-search habits that you develop today, the relationships that you establish now – over and above how valuable they are to you now – they may be even more valuable down the road.

More tips.