A Job Search is Like Gardening
Your job search is a bit like gardening.
I planted 72 seeds in the basement in prep for my spring garden. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash. Every seed pod in this tray received:
Soil (nutrient-rich)
Lighting (the special blue/red grow lights)
Warmth (from a special heating pad)
Water (always just the right amount)
Sweet talk (I talk to them every morning)
Research (studying about the plant, the variety, what to expect)
Patience (so much is out of our control)
Job searching tips from The Me-Suite
Despite all this care and feeding, so many of the pods yielded NO SEEDLING.
A job search is similar. You find open roles. You apply. You network. You interview. You wait. Some companies decide not to fill the position at all or delay the timing. You progress…or not. Some offers are not exactly what you want. Some offers are exactly right. Some of our applications are the perfect fit. Some have something lacking. Just like these seeds.
Think of your job search like these seed pods. You need the right mix tailored to the needs of each role. You’ll need:
Soil (your foundational message: why this role, why you, why now)
Lighting (highlighting the relevant experiences in the resume, LI, stories for each role)
Warmth (networking and personal connection)
Water (follow-ups, consistency)
Sweet talk (showing genuine interest and gratitude; positive self-talk)
Research (know the players and find connections to their interests and needs)
Patience (so much is out of our control)
This takes work and patience. The average role search is taking 6-9 months for most in the current environment.
Everyone knows to update the resume and LI. What is most often lacking is great, compelling, verbal prep—your messages, your stories, your tone. A coach can help.
