To All Ye in a Job Search Panic

Hi there!

I know you’re freaking out because you thought you’d have a job by now. But what’s really happened is that you’re at the bottom of a hill looking up, and you’re not really sure now how you’re going to get to the top because that hill just keeps getting bigger.

I get it.

I hear how you’ve been “networking,” by asking people to coffee and lunch, asking to pick the brains of others (what are you, a zombie?).

I want you to stop a second. Back up. Google Thyself. Do you like what shows up? Have you paid attention to it? Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Are you proud of it? Is there nothing, or not much at all to find? That says something, too, you know.

Here are 12 Things to Do on Your LinkedIn Profile Today. 

What are you doing with your resume? Is it searchable? As in, is there an online version of it? Have you bought the domain that is your full name? Do that. It’s inexpensive. And then put your resume on it. I promise there’s someone you know who can help you with this. Ask a high school kid.

You’ve done all that? Great. Now, start working on what I call the “Five a Day” plan. FIVE. Reach out to (see in person, call, write a letter, send an email, text, bake a pie and deliver it) five people for help in your job search. Five. A day. Seriously.

Expand your thinking. Be open to new ideas. Perfect is the enemy of great and other buzzy workplace platitudes. Just get in there and stop panicking.

There’s a lid for every pot. Go find your lid.

Then come back here and tell me how you found it.