Waiting game continues

I feel like I am close to landing a great job. There are numerous ones that I am being considered for right now, but two that seem close to coming through for me. I have interviewed for one and the meeting ended with me being told to expect an offer as early as late this week. It is a job that is interesting and full of potential, but not without some career risk. The second job is a dream position that really fits my experience. No fewer than seven people who know the hiring manager have recommended me to her. One received a reply letting them know I would be interviewed  soon. So now the waiting game continues with the hope that I get the dream interview before the first offer. At least there is optimism entering the holiday season.

Keeping up hope

A job hunt is a trying time for anyone. You have times where there is hope and it seems you hear of an opening and several interviews are forthcoming and then there are dry spells. I think the process itself is designed to make the hunter stronger.

Right now, I am coming off a month long dry spell and things are heating up. I keep up hope and know there is the right position for me and a reason I have not found it yet. For those out there like me keep up the faith and hope.

Advice is always welcome.

If anyone is actually reading this blog then my guess is you are, have been or understand the stress, anxiety and frustration of a job search. I welcome advice on new approaches, strategies or how to deal with feelings that you are just not wanted in the job force.

I spend a lot of time online searching for openings. I ask most people I meet about potential openings. I network possible companies that are hiring. I think I do all but beg for someone to give me a chance. The hard part of being a trained professional in a specialized profession is that many human resource professionals seem to pigeon hole you into that one area. It is difficult for non-lawyers to understand all the diverse attributes and talents learned as a practicing attorney. I also have found many find it hard to believe an attorney wants to leave the legal field.

If any HR person happens to this blog please keep two things in mind: 1) many attorneys are dissatisfied with their careers (especially those in litigation who have fought for more than ten years); and 2) these skilled individuals are great at reading people of diverse backgrounds and ethnic origins; usually have above average written and oral communication skills; are proficient at researching and developing strategies for complex projects and work well under constant change, extreme pressure and stringent time deadlines. Finally, most are used to working long hours and have dealt with employee issues throughout their careers. These are many talents I see when I respond to various openings that the employer is looking for in a candidate; however, it seems I seldom get past the initial phase of the hiring process.

The final attribute of a skilled litigator is they never give up. I will continue to look and network until I find someone who is willing to give me a shot. I can only promise that person will be glad they took the chance.

Network, network, network

My job search involves a lot of networking. If you do a lot of reading about how to tackle and be effective in a job search one common theme is the importance of networking. I think this is especially true when you have relocated to a new area. This is also where I found networking to be both difficult and personal. It is hard to bring up your job search with each new professional you meet; however, the fear of missing on a possible great opportunity usually overrides my anxiety of having to mention I have no current job and am in the market for employment.

Although, I am in what would be considered a small market there are three Fortune 500 companies who have their home office within 20 miles of my house. These companies are supported by hundreds of vendor teams which creates an active job market even in these tough economic times. Based on where I live and the market I think networking may be the key to landing the right job. For this reason I continue to ask for help from each new friend. I have been very lucky that most people in the area are friendly and more than happy to offer assistance.

A September push.

I love the internet as it opens up a wealth of information at your fingertips, but I also hate it becasue it allows so much room for over-analyzing your problem. If the self-proclaimed experts are correct then Septemeber is a hot month for corporate hires. I plan a big push this month to make sure my networking is in high gear so my name is fresh in the minds of these corporate hiring managers for open positions.

Will it work? No one knows but at least the articles give some positive feedback in a situation that calls for the patience that I am seldom able to possess.

The waiting game

I think most of us who have gone through a job search hate the waiting game more than any other part of the process. Make no mistake about it as it is definitely a process. I get up each day and devote hours to surfing or networking to find a few jobs where I think my experience, education and personality meet the hiring criteria and apply for those jobs. After applying I began the networking process and try to find someone who can mention my name to the recruiter and/or hiring manager in hopes it might get my resume a closer longer review.

Then the hard part begins which is the waiting game. During down time you sometimes catch yourself staring at the phone trying to will it to ring. Sure, it is uneasy after an interview to wait for the response but that wait is at least filled with hope. The wait for the phone to ring is filled with nothing but anxiety. However, you have to face the fact that in this economy you are not alone and this is just part of the process to finding the right job.

Years of developing skills

One of the hardest parts of starting a job search that could result in a transition of careers to first determine and then communicate skills that you have developed throughout your life. I think some skills are developed outside the workplace which do not necessarily show on a resume.

For example, I think I have excellent leadership qualities that I began developing in high school. I was a pivotal player on two state championship basketball teams, the high school student government president, president of the political science society in college, president of my fraternity pledge class and served as chair of the local and state bar young lawyers section which serves as the public service are for both bar associations. I believe each of the above positions provided me with lessons on leadership. I also think they show others tend to view me as a leader. The problem is at best only the bar association positions show up on a resume.

The second hurdle is showing a non-lawyer that a lawyer is capable of being effective in many non-legal positions. Essential skills such as working well under stress and pressure and with constant short deadlines is a part of most attorneys everyday life. We also have to learn how to effectively communicate with people from very diverse racial, social and educational backgrounds. Successful lawyers are usually very adept at reading people. Everyday we sell our trade to our clients. We must effectively negotiate with other attorneys, adjusters and most of the time our own clients. We wear many hats at the negotiation table. We are used to solving complex problems and adapt well to quick changes. We use metrics to keep up with what types of cases and clients are best for our business. We operate under strict ethical rules and our word is our bond. All of these are traits many employers look for in most upper management positions, yet they do not always jump out to a recruiter on a resume.

As a business owner for nine years I constantly dealt with employee relations, human resource issues, finance and accounting practices, marketing of the firm and developing new business ideas. These are traits needed for most sales, marketing and human resource positions. However, no where on the resume will you find a single job listing only one of those talents as my main responsibility at a job. They were all bundled together in my business along with having to be an effective leader and attorney. In my opinion this makes me a well rounded applicant for many positions. The real issue is finding the right recruiter and hiring manager who will look outside the box and see those skills in a resume and interview. Right now, I am still looking for that person.