A good friend of mine circulated a very detailed, very engaging email about her friend who just moved to DC and is looking for a serious boyfriend. She notes that her friend has tried online dating, and that sending this email to people in her DC network couldn't hurt. The email is full of descriptors surrounding her friend, from likes to dislikes, values, and even political leanings. So this led me to thinking about the similarities between marketing yourself for a spouse and marketing yourself for a job:
- Using Your Network. Did you know that most people who get the job they WANT find it by using their network? In other words, when you have people looking for you (doing the work) you discover hidden opportunities. Opportunities will also be sent your way since your network of friends, family and colleagues will be seeking out opportunities for you and sending them your way.
- Don't Forget the Details. Being clear about what you are looking for, whether in a spouse or a job, is extremely important, especially if you are asking your network to help you. If I want a job "that lets me use my skills and talents, has good benefits and a great work environment" what am I saying? Not much! BUT, if I say I am looking for a job "where I can contribute my 10+ years of experience in human resources, apply my leadership and team building skills, and utilize my innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit" then that brings much more clarity and detail to the picture, thus allowing someone to get a better sense of who I am and where I might fit.
- Asking for Help! If you don't ask, people can't help. If you don't ask, some people WILL help, but it might not be the kind of help you are looking for. Since I am talking about comparing job-hunting to spouse-hunting, I have to include an interesting anecdote here. I remember being on the fence about registering for gifts when I got married, or I should say, registering for so many detailed gifts. My friend said, "if you don't register for what you want, people will give you what they think you want, or worse, give you what THEY want". It proved to be SO TRUE!!! So sharing what you want and the details of what you want should be included when asking others to get the word out for you.
Putting yourself out there is not easy for most of us. It's awkward both in terms of finding a great spouse AND finding a great job. Asking people to help, asking them to listen to what you want and seek it out on your behalf can be tough, but using your network is by far the best way to do this, since you are likely to get the BEST results possible.
As for my friend's friend....well, I haven't heard anything yet as to a potential match but I am awaiting the results. As for you....I encourage you to open your mind to the possibilities and potential that comes from putting yourself out there. Without people to help us, really...where would we be?
