The job search process can be a trying time. There are so many considerations that you have to weigh and decisions that have to be made. Plus, there’s the pressure of finding the perfect position that will be your dream job.

All of these preconceptions make the process anxiety filled and stressful. However, it does not have to be that way and by implementing a few tips you can maintain your sanity during a stressful job search. 

Use these five tips to have a successful job search:

1. Be Open Minded

The quest to find the perfect, dream job is often unrealistic and seemingly only sets you up for failure. In your job search, if your goal is to find the perfect position, you will likely be disappointed.

Instead, it is much more beneficial to be open-minded when it comes to your job search. While a specific job may not scream “Dream Job” at first look, it may end up being your perfect, dream job. Therefore, keeping your options open and not discounting positions because they do not appear to be exactly what you want can open the door to many opportunities that can benefit your career in the long run.

2. Seek Advice & Make Connections

Recognizing that others in your field have a wealth of knowledge that could potentially help you land a position, is the best tool at your disposal. In the age of social media, professional platforms help you connect to other in the same industry and build relationships with those people.

Use those resources to seek out advice and make connections with people in who are in the industry, companies, and positions in which you are focusing your job search.

3. Listen

As you navigate the job search process, it is imperative to your success that you listen to the advice and feedback you are given. During interviews, practice the art of listening without interrupting and using what you hear to help you build on your responses to questions.

Demonstrating your ability to listen not only helps you fine-tune your interview skills but also helps you stand out as someone who is a team player.

4. Research

Before applying for a job, take the time to research the company. Research the organization’s mission statement, values, and people in the decision-making positions. If you decide to apply for a position with that company, take the time to reach out to the decision-makers to communicate how you would be asset to their company to help you stand out before a job interview.

5. Build a Strong Personal Brand

As you send in your job search materials, your personal brand speaks for you; therefore, it is crucial that you build a strong personal brand. Your responses to common behavioural interview questions need to also align with your personal brand so the decision-makers recognize the value, experience, and expertise you will bring to the position.

I have seen so many job searches prolonged or failed simply because of that person’s attitude. Yes, I agree, it can be very frustrating. One step forward, two steps back. It can be like a mine field scattered with issues and circumstances that will test you to your limit. It’s okay to share your frustration with your coach. I encourage that within this confidential environment. However, airing that frustration out in the open, or when in dialogue during networking, or during the be-all-and-end-all, the interview, will bring you down and bury you.

Positivity radiates. Positivity rules. Positivity relays a powerful message. Even when you are constantly rejected and you feel like you are wasting time and your efforts are fruitless, don’t feel down, because most others have also been through the same emotions. When you are positive and upbeat you are inclined to put in more effort, learn new skills and deliver a compelling and resounding message.

Here are some tips to portray a positive approach and attitude:

#1 Stay Focused and Organized

Ensure that you have all the necessary attributes when completing job applications. Ensure that you are ready for the interviews — research the company inside and out, up and down. Ensure that your day is organized and that you know how to use the social media platforms that are so abundant today to help you with your search. Time management is very important. Don’t waste time on fruitless things. Place an emphasis on the things that will bring you the maximum return on investment and on networking.

#2 Seek Assistance

There are always going to be people who want to champion you. They will listen to you when you are down. They will have ideas for you to regenerate your excitement and engagement. Ask them to periodically review and discuss your job search strategy if it is going nowhere. Ask them to facilitate networking meetings with their acquaintances and connections.

#3 Establish Achievable Goals

I see so many people set abnormally high goals which is good, but when they don’t achieve them, they feel down and out. Be realistic, but don’t go the other way and set low goals. As a job search expert, the perfect day in a job search is 12 hours, of which five hours should be spent on social media with the bulk of that time on LinkedIn. And, yes, this is possible –meeting three new people every day, in person.

#4 Network

Don’t solely conduct your job search from a desk in the basement. Get out and network, network, network. Utilize Meetup.com and other local or industry related groups to attend meetings and be ready to articulate your elevator pitch. Don’t be frightened to tell people you are in career transition. It’s not an illness. It’s a fact of life today.

Wrapping it up, I agree it may be difficult to stay positive. But, being organized, seeking assistance, setting reasonable goals and engaging in networking can boost your morale and help you to maintain a positive and robust attitude.

As a career management practitioner, I believe you should always be ready for a job search for many reasons. Today, tomorrow, or next week, an executive recruiter could call you and say they have the perfect opportunity for you. Today, tomorrow, or next week, your employer could terminate you. We are in a very fluid society where there is no loyalty to your employer and where you should be ready to take advantage of opportunities offered.

Here are 10 tips you need to embrace to prepare for a job search:

1. Brag Book

We live in a performance-driven society. You will be employed because you can make money, save money, streamline operations, eliminate headcount, introduce new technology, and for many other reasons. Keep a brag book at home to document your accomplishments.

2. Update Your Resume Frequently

The resume highlights your full career hard skills, soft skills, personal brand, and education. Utilize your brag book to trigger your memory to build stories around your accomplishments. The more up-to-date your resume is, the less work you will have to do if a tap on the shoulder comes today for a decision maker to see your resume.

3. LinkedIn Profile

Like your resume, your LinkedIn profile should be current. If you are in career transition you should change the headline to reflect your job search situation with a striking message.

4. Connect, Connect, Connect

We are in a society where networking and the use of connections can bring significant value. If you are gainfully employed networking need not be as furious as when you are in career transition. Don’t negate connecting with people 24/7/365.

5. Career and Professional Development Plan

These two go hand-in-hand. Updating your education and skills are important. If you haven’t been on any courses or attended community college or university recently, you need to review that. Continuous education is part of the screening process that decision makers use before calling you for an interview. Incorporate your professional development and continuous learning into your career plan which is a directive highlighting your ambitions and goals. Where would you like to be in two years, five years or ten years?

6. Professional Associations

Most vocations have professional associations where you can learn from others in your industry or profession and network with your peers to understand industry trends and uncover potential vacancies. If the association offers a website or magazines, make yourself available to write articles or blogs. This is an ideal way of bringing your name to the forefront of the membership. Another important and engaging tactic is joining the leadership of the local chapter or national board of the chapter. Being voted by your peers can say a lot about you.

7. References and Recommendations

A professional, sensibly managing their career, will maintain a list of references. If you are in a search mode, you need to keep those references up-to-date with your search activities and potential calls from potential employers. LinkedIn also affords you the opportunity of receiving and giving recommendations. Don’t wait until you are in disaster mode (i.e., career transition) and need to rapidly bring yourself up-to-date before soliciting recommendations.

8. Review Industry Trends and Job Listings

Although job boards show only a small percentage of jobs available in most countries, go ahead and browse through to see who is hiring and what they are hiring for.

9. Job Satisfaction

Sadly, I see so many people who are unhappy in their careers. A job consumes so many hours of your life. Why should you be unhappy in it? If you feel unhappy, are experiencing burnout or stress, maybe it’s time to activate that job search plan. Or, bolder still, quit your job.

10. Career Alternatives

Today, it is encouraged for people to transition industries or sectors. It is less frowned upon than it has ever been in my 25 years of helping people attain their career goals. What are your transferable skills that you can take with you to a new industry? Look how those skills can fit in with that sector’s job trends.

No one likes rejection.  It’s hurtful and full of emotions!  However, in a job search you must come to terms with this word and learn how to combat negativity.

A job search is like a minefield with the potential of explosions which could cause damage to your reputation.  The mind set when planning and executing a search to find your next challenge, should be to view this project long-term.  If it turns out to be short-term, then halleluiah! 

The moment the checkered flag drops in a job search, you are in a race, a competition where there is only one trophy!  How many competitors varies according to the position, geographic location, economy, skill set and many other factors.  You don’t need to do arithmetic to see that there are going to be many people by-passed in the hiring process and even the second and third best candidates don’t win a silver or bronze medal.

Be in the positive mind mode, thinking that you are going to win and take that gold position.  Imagine that medallion hanging around your neck.  Gold will look good on you!  Also, cast your mind back to other races in swimming, athletics and Formula 1 where great candidates still perform well but drop short of a win.

In today’s hiring processes very rarely are you told why you didn’t win, mainly because time doesn’t permit the hiring authorities to call the other candidates.  They must assess in their own mind why they failed and were rejected.  It can rattle even the most confident and calm professional after a long job search. As hard as it may be, be prepared for rejections.  However, the more rejections you receive, the closer you are to the gold medal and a win!

As you prepare for an executive job interview, there are many things to consider such as your attire, your body language, and mastering your handshake. Making a great first impression is a critical part of the interview process; however, anticipating and preparing your responses to interview questions can prove to be a game changer that helps you stand out throughout the process.

When you know the message you want to convey about your skills and expertise, it boosts your confidence and that will shine through in your executive job interview. In your executive job interview, be prepared to reflect on the past, focus on the present, and speculate about the future as well as behavioural interview questions that illustrate how you would respond in specific situations.

With that in mind, you can anticipate some form of the following questions:

Reflecting on the Past

Hiring managers want candidates to reflect on the past and tell stories demonstrating their ability to resolve business barriers  and create better processes going forward. Your responses to these questions paint a picture of how you use your value, skills, and expertise to think outside the box to find successful solutions.

• Tell us about yourself.
• To what do you attribute your success?
• Describe your leadership style. How has your style worked for you in the past?
• Consider your limitations. Describe a time you’ve had to overcome a limitation.
• Tell us about a situation where you didn’t get along with a colleague or board member. How did you resolve it?
• Describe a time where you were part of a project that failed. How did you react? What was your takeaway?
• What legacy did you leave at your last employer?

Focusing on the Present

These questions give  hiring managers a picture of your current job search strategy and added value and ultimately provides insight into whether or not you’d be a valuable hire and fit for the organization.

• Why do you want to work in this industry?
• What makes you want this position?
• Why do you want to work for this organization?
• What makes you an asset to this organization?
• What is your unique promise of value?

Speculating About the Future

These types of questions provide insight into how your specific set of skills and work ethic will strengthen and serve the company.

• Which of your strengths would prove most valuable if this company were to hire you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
• How would you use your skills to create a strong team?
• How would you use your past success/failures to help you in this position?

Your answers to these questions help you stand out. They create an image of your value as an executive on the team, and they help you show the hiring managers how you’d be an asset to that team and the company as a whole.

While it is illegal for companies to discriminate against older candidates based on age, it does come with a few stereotypes. Employers have fears that you are not as open to new ideas or new ways of doing things, are just biding your time until retirement, and/or are stuck in your own ways unable to change to fit the organization’s culture.

While all of those assumptions likely do not apply to you, it is beneficial to combat them in your presentation of yourself on your professional social media profiles and in your interviews.

Dress the Part

It is important to ensure your look coincides with today’s style. Therefore, make sure your clothing is current and appropriate to the job and employer culture  while still being age appropriate. Avoid the temptation of wearing the same suits you wore 30 years ago. Invest in modern business attire. Additionally, style your hair in a way that evokes the image of youth. Through your appearance, you can be perceived as years younger than you are while also emitting a youthful demeanour.

Present Your Experience as an Asset

While employers may be seeking candidates who are youthful in their approach and outlook, your experience is unparalleled. You have witnessed change. You have seen companies evolve. You know what works and what does not. Your age does not diminish that experience or the value that experience brings to a company. Therefore, present that as an asset and make it front and centre. Create a compelling story around your background and how your experience has benefitted companies in the past, and how it will bring value to any potential organization for which you work.

Be Technically Savvy

A lack of social media presence sends the message that you are not with the times because we live in a society in which technology and social media plays a significant role in our professional and personal lives. Therefore, even if you are resistant, force yourself to learn it and embrace it. Likely, you will find that professionally social media has the potential to make you a stand out candidate and motivate potential employers to seek out your experience and expertise.

Focus on Your Professional Future

Throughout the process of your job search, particularly on your social media profiles and in your interviews, demonstrate your commitment to a professional development plan. This plan shows that you actively seek out new ways of doing things, that you are open to change, and that you are committed to finding the best approaches to ensure the success of a project and the company.

Show You Are Young at Heart

With the right image and strong social media presence, you will clearly demonstrate that you are modern and savvy. However, your presentation and perspective can make the difference between landing a job or being overlooked. It is essential that all your communications reflect you are open and willing to see new perspectives, and not stuck in your own ways of doing things. Employers view candidates who perceive their ideas and techniques of doing things as the only way as a high-risk choice. Show that you are a team player, demonstrate your flexibility, and let your experience shine!

Tips to Create a Compelling Story to Illustrate Your Value to Hiring Managers:

In a job interview, you are primarily selling yourself. The company has a position that needs to be filled and, as a result, is a potential buyer. Therefore, you—your skills, experience, and expertise—are the product.

The interview is the opportunity for the interviewer to get a sense of who you are beyond your resume and cover letter. The purpose of the interview is for hiring managers to gain insight into your character and alignment with the company’s culture. They have the task of determining if you are someone they can trust to professionally and competently fulfill the position while being a great fit for their organization.

At the executive level, it is likely that all the candidates have a resume full of impressive achievements. Therefore, in your interview, you need to sell yourself. You need a story that illustrates your value.

Tip #1: Consider the Standard Interview Questions

When you are asked the question, “Tell me about yourself,” in an interview, it is tempting to give a one sentence response that sums up where you have been and how you got to this point. Think about the difference it would make if you could create a narrative around your career marking essential points along the way that eventually led you to the moment you are sitting in the interview chair.

Consider the standard interview questions, including behavioural questions, and create short, descriptive narratives around them that draw from your experiences, accomplishments, and viewpoints.

Tip #2: Make a List of Your Career Achievements

Think about those STAR stories you included on your resume. Prepare stories around them that illustrate how they came about, the impact they had, and what you learned from them. The effect is significant when you can communicate the long-term value those achievements had not only on the company you were working for at the time but also on the progression of your own career. Therefore, it is a bonus to exemplify how your achievements have influenced your current career trajectory and goals.

Tip #3: Turn Negatives into Positives

Conversely, you can put a positive spin on situations that did not go as planned by creating a narrative around it. Often, hiring managers want to know how you handle adversity. Think about something career-related that you have had to overcome. Maybe a product that did not turn out as planned or a strategy that did not work. Create a story around that negative experience that communicates your realization of why it failed, what you learned from it, and how you continue to use that knowledge today to inform your decisions and practices.

In a nutshell, your story is so much more compelling than merely stating your experience, achievements, and goals. Stories elicit emotions, create connections, and make you so much more memorable. Your story demonstrates your character and your value. Thus, hiring managers will recognize you as an asset they cannot afford to pass up.

When a recruiter or other hiring influencer schedules an interview for you, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask what type of interview it is. In order to prepare, you’ll need to know if you’ll be competing directly with other candidates, facing a group of interviewers, or answering a few questions over the phone. Each interview type demands a different kind of practice or planning to make your best impression.

1. Phone interview. This kind of interview is used to pre-screen you for skills, including your communication skills, and to determine if you’re a good fit for the team, position, or organization.
2. One-on-one interview. One hiring influencer asking questions of one candidate. This can be a single interview or one of a series of interviews where you are speaking to a group of decision-makers one at a time. This is the most personal, and often the most significant kind of interview. Final interviews are almost always one-on-one.
3. Panel interview. One candidate being interviewed by a group of hiring influencers who take turns asking questions. This is a great way for companies to judge how you’ll get along with a close-knit team, an efficient way to include all hiring influencers in one meeting, and a great chance to show off your communication skills.
4. Group interview. A group of candidates being interviewed by one or two interviewers. This is a way to see how candidates interact with a group, who has leadership potential, who doesn’t play well with others, and a host of other items on a screening checklist.

It’s worth noting that some Career Coaches will list a fifth, the behavioural interview. This is based on behavioural interview questions about what you have done in certain situations at work in the past. They’re used to gauge how well you learn from experience, how well you adapt to new or difficult situations, and how you’ll fit into the organization’s corporate culture. These questions have become a part of modern interviews, so you’ll experience them in any of the above interview types as standard questions.

The best way to prepare for these is to search online for lists of common behavioural interview questions and pull a few experiences from memory that can be used to answer many of these questions. Difficult interactions with customers or colleagues are often times when we feel we have failed. There’s often a lesson we have learned from those times, and of course we’ve behaved differently on subsequent occasions! Three or four examples, considered and practiced in advance, are enough to see you through even an extensive interview. Practice also engenders confidence, too!