At some point in our lives, we have felt the regret of not getting something we really wanted.
It's time to ask!
Do you ever remember hearing, “I could have done that for you/given that to you/helped you with that if you had just asked?” We then come to the sad realization that not acquiring what we wanted was really our fault!
Children ask constant questions as they learn and grow. Questioning comes naturally to them. The job search process requires a lot of learning and growing! The good news is that it can be simplified greatly by thinking in terms of asking questions.
So as we visit with family members, friends, and other professionals, what should we be asking?
Consider the following questions…
1. What can you tell me about your workplace?
Once again, we discuss the all-important topic of company culture. When we wisely work to meet other professionals in a line of work that interests us, we can learn about company values, treatment of employees, expectations, and potential perks or drawbacks within an organization. People typically love to talk about themselves, and people typically like to help others. Take advantage of every opportunity you can to have real, meaningful conversations with others.
2. How can I help you? How can you help me?
When in the job search, we tend to become focused on our own needs and feeling of desperation. Offering help to others can keep us in a positive frame of mind. Are there family members we can spend more time with? Are there professionals we meet who could use a helping hand? Is there a local non-profit that would benefit from your assistance? Giving in these ways can open doors to new opportunities!
A wise friend of mine once said that the hardest word to utter when in the job search is “help.” So while we are looking for ways to help others, we also need to take the time to humble ourselves and ask for help: help in meeting new people, help on our job search documents, and help with renovating who we are professionally. The job search cannot be navigated alone. It is only when we receive help that we can become who we need and want to be.
3. What should I change?
This may be the most challenging question to ask when in the job search. It could require us to think differently, change an approach, or consider options that may seem daunting. However, others will see strengths and weaknesses we may not see in ourselves. Perhaps a simple tweak to a resume will make us stand out above our competition. Maybe the way we introduce ourselves needs to catch the attention of others more readily. We may need to humble ourselves in order to improve who we are so others see our best professional selves!
Asking questions could be your key to success in the job search. What other questions can you generate? Remember that you are not in this journey alone!
