In the spirit of the World Series, NFL midterms, the start of basketball season, and of course the elections, it’s time to celebrate the merits of teamwork. Teamwork is vital on the field, in the classroom, at home, and at work as well. So it makes sense to value teamwork in the job search as well. Utilizing your network and working as a team can help you secure a job much faster.
The job search can be frustrating when you go at it alone. There are a number of keys to being a team player and getting your team to work together to help get you a job. The first step is recruiting your team. Just like in a basketball game you want to make sure you trust your teammates, have good communication, and share a common goal. Family and friends are great teammates in your job search, and teamwork will give you an edge not everyone has.
After you have a team you need to formulate a game plan. The job search is tricky and going in with a plan of attack is crucial to finding success. Figure out what member of the team will play what role- who has the largest network, who is the best editor for your print and video resumes, who can help you prepare for job interviews, and who can you eat ice cream with if things don’t go so well (or is that just me?). Defining roles helps you know who to go to when you are stuck on a certain area of your job search.
I know we’ve talked a lot about networking, but it really is one of your biggest assets during your job search. Talk to your team. See if they know anyone looking to fill a position, or if they have friends in similar fields who might be willing to help. Just because you already have your team does not mean you cannot call someone up from the minors to help out in a pinch. Often your team will have a variety of different experiences and contacts- giving you a large network to draw from.
Finally, one of the biggest assets your team provides you in the job search is a support system. It can be tough looking for a job, and with no one to support you in your job search it can be easy to become complacent or lackadaisical. When times get rough allow your team to pick you up and encourage you. Working together is what teamwork is all about. If you utilize teamwork in your job search you might just find the winning combination.
What are some ways you use a team or teamwork in your job search? Let us know about it in the comments section below!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by clam113
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