Refocusing your job search with the ABC strategy
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 04/09/2023
Searching for a job may feel unrelenting and unforgiving at times, especially if you've faced any applications that didn't reach the next stage or rejections. you'll need to take a pragmatic look at what hasn’t worked so far, and adjust your plan. Thankfully, there are three simple elements that can help you establish a foundation for success:
- a positive Attitude
- Branding
- a Campaign strategy
The ABC strategy explained:
Attitude Regardless of how well prepared you are, or how efficient you are in conducting your daily search, setbacks can knock your confidence and potentially sabotage your success in becoming unproductive and not seeing the results you’re hoping for. So how do you shift your attitude? First, reflect on your experience thus far and identify what it is about job searching that you haven’t enjoyed or hasn’t worked well. From here, you can schedule a meeting with your Career Consultant to talk through any difficulties you’ve faced and explore ways to reframe your thinking to take a more positive approach to the process.
Branding Your personal brand plays a crucial role in job finding as it distinguishes you from other job seekers and showcases your unique value proposition (USP). Start by defining your career goals, determine what sets you apart from others in terms of your skills, experiences, strengths and then drill down into what makes you unique and valuable in your chosen industry or role. Create your personal brand statement which communicates your USP and clearly articulates who you are, what you do and the value you would bring to a future employer. Use effective branding language through all communications and in your CV, covering letters, LinkedIn profile, and during interviews. Also, ensure your professional image and online presence represent you in a way that aligns to your personal brand and grow your network by connecting with likeminded peers, communities, and industry groups. Remember that both our LinkedIn LinkedIn guide and webinar have been designed to help you build an impactful profile that enhances your brand. Plus, there are some excellent articles and videos available in myCareerPath
Campaign Strategy An effective job search should be planned and executed with intent and precision. Yet, in a rush to find work, many of us overlook the necessity of putting together a strategy with clear targets and goals. Pinpoint the industries and companies that you are interested in working with once leaving the military. This can help you focus your efforts, but also customise your approach to each application. With these targets in mind, set yourself daily, weekly, and monthly objectives that are SMART and allow you to track progress and success throughout your search; acting as goals to aim for and keep you motivated.
The move from the Armed Forces to civilian employment is a major life change, and for some, searching for a job is the most time-consuming element of resettlement. It’s a process that cannot be rushed and must be approached with clear thought and planning.
So, if you’re not having the success you’d hoped for, it might be time to step back, reflect on your approaching to the job market to date, and reboot your job search with a new strategy.