Phrases to Live by During Your next Job Search

After recently surviving my son’s college football recruiting decision, it occurred to me how many similarities exist between that recruiting process and what I do daily, advising my job recruits on opportunities. Keep in mind this round of college recruiting wasn’t my first rodeo: I have an older son who is also playing D1 Football, so you would think I was better equipped to navigate the waters this time around. The truth is that while you are in it, it is hard to see through the “razzle dazzle”. Having an outside advocate by your side is a great key to success. We were lucky to have had several, and both my boys ended up with great opportunities. Some others going through the process were not as lucky. 

In job recruiting, I hear from candidates on a daily basis that they made a bad decision leaving one job for another-only to be let go or not start at all. A bad choice may not only leave you unemployed, but could also look questionable to a prospective employer. Here are two mantras you should live by the next time you're making a job move, or any life change, really:

Don’t count your chickens until they hatch- Simply said-until the ink is signed, anything can happen. People, by nature, want to tell you what you want to hear. As flattering as it may be to have someone courting you, take a step back past the shine and sparkle and dig deeper to understand the opportunity in better detail. 

• Take the time to make a list of pros and cons. A thoughtful decision can save you heartache in the end.
• Ask yourself, “Do they really want me and why?”, “What value do I bring?” and “Where do I fit in?”

Don’t burn your bridges: Remember that as great as you may be, there are always other people out on the market that may be just as good or better. So respect the opportunity, the hiring manager’s time, and what they are offering. Never make them feel like a runner-up, because by doing so you could be eliminating an opportunity before having a chance to fully digest it. Plus, those same hiring managers and HR Directors could pop up in the future at other opportunities/companies. 

• Wait for job offers in writing, and make sure there is follow through on promises. This is the best way to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• If you decide to turn down an offer, do so with class and respect. Be grateful for the consideration. 

A good recruiter can coach you through the hiring process. They will help you weigh the pros and cons. They will encourage you to explore all opportunities and most importantly, help you weed through the “BS” and get to the bottom line.

We all want the same thing at the end of the day-a good fit for the company and the candidate … Let ME be your advocate!