Create Your Own Luck in the New Work World
Scholars of the ages have long stated that luck is a matter of chance, almost like rolling a pair of dice. Some people might use lucky charms, talismans, or trusting that finding a penny or a four-leaf clover, might grant their much-desired request. As a career consultant, I believe the right mindset and plan allows us to create great things. With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, I think we can make our own kind of magic or luck if we use some strategic tweaks for success in the New Work World. Everything has changed and we must adapt to this new environment and be open to try new experiences.
Scientific studies have suggested that lucky charms might work if you believe they work! This may well be a placebo effect in motion, but if it allows you to achieve great results, incorporate it with new optimistic techniques. Having the right mindset in the work world we are now in is crucial to achieve our goals. We also need the right plan of action to go along with that beneficial mindset to manifest our desires and achieve that job we are seeking.
The third step of the Faremouth Method™ is “Step Out of Your Comfort Zone.” There are things we need to do now that might be different from what we are used to in obtaining our anticipated career results. If we consider combining some good luck charms in the way of a positive mindset with specific applications, we can experience job search success. Our luck might very well improve and allow us to thrive and grow. Let’s review these tips for creating our own luck in the New Work World.
Do a Self-Inventory.
Before you land that dream job, you have to get clear about what is important to you. We are all different with unique criteria for what will be best for us. We may also have different family requirements to be considered. Do you prefer to work in collaboration with others or are you better on your own? Are you more of a big corporate employee or would you prefer a small to medium size company? Do you prefer frequent interaction with your supervisor or to work more independently with a deadline and produce desired results? What type of work culture is important to you? Are you more comfortable in a very formal environment or in a more relaxed one? Are work hours important to you and your family needs? When you have a sense of clarity on the position type and all variables surrounding it, you can more clearly identify the kind of position you want and the type of corporation you want to engage with, as well as what companies or industries should be avoided.
Update your Linkedin and all social media.
Recruiters and company department heads utilize LinkedIn more than ever before. If your profile has not been updated since Pre-Covid it needs to be done immediately. Social media is another area that prospective employers are closely reviewing these days. I have heard from countless employers during the last several months that a picture or posting on Facebook was offensive and what was almost a hire was rescinded because of something the prospective employer found distasteful. My experience this last year has been that employers are looking at information about a candidate under a microscope. My suggestion is to limit personal information on social media that could offend a prospective employer.
Your resume is your calling card.
Think of your resume as being your personal advertising branding card. Make sure you are using keywords strategically when it comes to describing your skills that relate to the job you are seeking. For example, I had a candidate recently who had been a teacher and he was applying for a customer service position. His resume talked about lesson plans, reviewing homework assignments, grading papers, etc., and it was rejected. When he edited the resume a few weeks later and focused more on the student interaction, problem solving, interaction with parents, communication with the student that happened to be in a computer programming class, he was able to land the interview and receive a job offer. The resume has to reflect transferrable skills that are honest and true. If that doesn’t happen, an interview will usually not happen in this New Work World.
Know when to apply online.
If there is a particular company you have an interest in, you need to check often, almost daily in these times, to submit your resume. Experts are now saying that from the time a new job is posted, the candidate needs to apply during the first 48-72 hours to be considered. With supply and demand at the cutting edge, more people on the supply side and not as many jobs available, the candidates need to make searching for new employment a full-time job. You need to check back often and submit resumes immediately to try to get in the hopper for consideration. Waiting a week after the job has been posted may be too late in this critical environment.
Include a customized cover letter for each job.
A cover letter attached to a resume is very important. Skipping this step may be sending a negative message to a prospective employer and might indicate the candidate does not want to go the extra mile. I have heard countless employers tell me they selected a candidate who submitted a cover letter as well as a resume over candidates that lacked one. If you are seeking employment requiring excellent writing skills, consider having someone help you write one. A poorly written attachment could almost be worse in some cases than not sending one at all.
Send a Thank You Note in the first 24-48 hours.
Make sure you always send a thank you note to the person with whom you interviewed. I suggest it be done by email for the swiftness of your intent. A “thank you” always shows follow-up, poise, polish, and gratitude, which can go a long way.
Do your homework on the prospective company and interviewer.
You must know as much as possible about the company before the interview ever takes place to be able to talk intelligently. If you also know who the interviewer is, you might look them up on LinkedIn to investigate their background. I recently had a candidate from a university with a strong student alumni association and bonding network. When the candidate looked up the interviewer and saw that they attended the same university, it was a point of easy conversation and connection. The candidate also had a very solid background for the job, and he did get an offer from this company. Having a “culture fit” with similarities did not hurt his chances.
On St. Patrick’s Day this year celebrate by making your own luck for the New Work World. Step out of your comfort zone with activities and practices that might make all the difference in your success. While luck might be pure chance, solid preparation with the best information available and going the extra mile for the optimum results you desire, is not. My new book, Revolutionary Reinvention, and ongoing workshops may be helpful to you in 2021 to create your own luck and move forward in a way that might offer your own Four-Leaf Clover! When you combine a solid plan of action and a positive mindset, knowing what you want and how you are going to achieve it, your ability to create it makes all the difference in your success.
Mary Ann Faremouth has been a regular contributor to the USA Daily Post since April of 2020.
