Working With a Career Coach

"I want to prevent the March meltdown."

That’s what a new client told me when I asked what she hoped to get out of our work together. 

If you have been through the job search as a college student, or watched your kid go through it, you know exactly what she means. It is that stretch of spring when everyone, including the guy who couldn't remember his own name in class, starts posting about how “blessed” they feel to accept an offer. And you are left wondering if you are the only person on the planet who can't land a job.

The March meltdown can be prevented with three simple things. 

Intention. Organization. Discipline. 

All three are accessible right now, in September.

Intention 

🔸 Build a list of 20 target organizations. 

🔸 Research each one logistically and strategically 

Logistics = What early career opportunities do they offer?  When do applications launch?  What kind of students do they typically hire? 

Strategic = What problems are they trying to solve?  What’s driving their growth?  What threats are they most concerned with? 

Vague interest in "finding a job" gets you nowhere. A specific list gets you moving.

Organization 

🔸 Create a system to track everything. 

I have my clients use a spreadsheet with a tab for every organization, so the full picture is visible in one place. Who they know there. When they last spoke. What opportunities are open or already in process.

Discipline 

🔸 Set aside a small amount of time every single day for networking, research and applying. Not a marathon session once a week. A little, consistently. And don’t forget follow ups.  One conversation is a connection.  3-4 begins to build a relationship. 

September is not too early to start. In fact, it’s the perfect time.

I partner with college students and recent grads to build clarity, confidence and momentum so the only madness you experience in March involves your basketball bracket.