I understand the job market can feel impenetrable right now. Opportunities are scarce, competition is high, application processes are lengthy, and job offers may not reflect the cost of living. It's no secret that job searches are taking longer in this labor environment. It's natural to feel disillusioned or even desperate, but approaching your search from that mindset will only prolong and worsen the process.
As a career coach, my role is to guide people to their next opportunity, regardless of economic conditions. Now that we're past the "Great Resignation" boom times, I advise my clients to adopt three overlooked strategies to gain an edge in their job search.
1. Focus on quality over quantity. Mentally prepare for a longer job hunt and be proactive about managing your energy. Sprinting to apply to as many jobs as possible can deplete your reserves, leading to burnout and making you want to stop searching altogether. Instead, be selective and apply only to roles that genuinely align with your career goals and aspirations. Submitting fewer, high-quality applications that highlight your unique skills and achievements makes it more likely you'll land interviews.
2. Use the right shortcuts. Creating top-notch application materials is time and energy-intensive. While AI tools can enhance efficiency, generic prompts can make your applications blend in. Instead, write your initial draft, then use AI to review and improve it. Avoid one-click apply options, as these are often seen as low-effort. Instead, build a bank of relevant keywords, phrases, and bullet points to customize your applications.
3. Leverage your network. When opportunities are scarce and competition is fierce, strong relationships are more important than ever. Reconnect with former colleagues, friends, and acquaintances to let them know you're job hunting and what you're looking for. Join professional associations to connect with others in your field and build your reputation. Reach out to recruiters, hiring managers, and other interesting contacts on LinkedIn, but be thoughtful and specific in your approach.
Remember, it's natural to feel overwhelmed or discouraged in a tough job market. Stay focused on your goals, listen to your needs, and don't hesitate to seek additional support if you need it. Most importantly, don't forget that you are more than your employment status.
Here is my rewrite of the response in English:
Congratulations on receiving a verbal job offer and making it to the final round of interviews with another company! This is a great position to be in, but it's important to navigate the situation carefully to ensure you get the best possible outcome.
First and foremost, focus on the actual offers and interviews you have, not hypothetical scenarios. You have one verbal offer and one late-stage interview, not two offers. While the late-stage interview sounds promising, you don't want to count your chickens before they hatch.
My advice would be to:
1. Hone your interview skills and continue researching both companies so you can ask intelligent questions. This will help you turn the late-stage interview into an actual offer.
2. Slow down the verbal offer you have received, while trying to speed up the timeline on the late-stage interview. Let the late-stage company know you have an offer, but would prefer to work with them if possible. This gives you more leverage.
3. Use the verbal offer to negotiate key priorities, whether that's location, compensation, benefits, or something else. Don't just accept what's initially offered - advocate for what you want.
4. Try to get the hiring timelines in sync, so you have multiple offers to choose from. This gives you the most leverage and prevents you from having to make a premature decision.
The key is to stay focused on the actual opportunities in front of you, not hypotheticals. With some strategic maneuvering, you can put yourself in the best position to land the right role on the best terms. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Here is the response rewritten:
Assuming the best, but preparing for the worst is a wise approach when negotiating a job offer. While you may expect things to go well in your new role, it's prudent to consider potential downside scenarios and seek appropriate protections.
Given the account executive's reference to "anticipated, incoming business", it's reasonable to be concerned about what might happen if that business does not materialize as expected. When negotiating your offer, you should request downside protection provisions, such as:
- Guaranteed severance if your role is eliminated through no fault of your own
- Immediate vesting of any bonuses or incentives if your employment is terminated prematurely and without cause
These types of protections don't cost the company anything, but they can provide you with valuable security should the unexpected occur. By planning for potential challenges, you can accept the role with more confidence, knowing you have safeguards in place to mitigate risks.
Ultimately, it's wise to assume the best, but also prepare for the worst when negotiating your employment terms. Seeking downside protection is a reasonable and prudent approach that can give you greater peace of mind and financial security.