Job (or Career) Change: Starter Kit
A few people recently reached out for career advice — either looking for a new job or seeking a career change. Here is a framework with damn-near guarenteed results.
Note: took me ~3 months to find a new job [see blog post], so things don’t happen over night, but this works for any person, in any career or any phase of life.
Step 1: Set-up 1-2 coffees per week with people in your network. This is my top advice. You need ideas and your network are 1000% your greatest asset. Why is this important? It is a low-stakes way to establish connections, generate ideas and develop confidence on your next step. And right now, it’s all about stitching together a series of baby steps toward your next big move. People love to help others and rarely get the chance to talk about themselves — and all you are out is a $5 coffee (or virtual coffee).
1. Scroll through your phone, and you’ll ID 25 people easily.
2. Scroll through your LinkedIn, another 25.
3. Ask your friends and family who you should talk with, another 10.
4. Set your LinkedIn open to work (private), and you’ll get recruiters reaching out for coffee, another 10.
Note: during this time update your LinkedIn profile. This is a pain in the ass but honestly taking the time to articulate what you’ve done + results, will boost your confidence ahead of interviews.
Step 2. Project manage all your coffee dates. Use Calendly to avoid the back and forth of, “hey does Tuesday 12 or Wed at 1 work”? Document everyone you’ve considered getting coffee with, ranked them 1 to 50, then started emailing / texting people. If your social capital is so strong you’ll get a high response rate.
Title of email: I'd like to buy you coffee next week
Email body: Hey XXXX, I am in the early stages of thinking about what is next for me and would love to buy you coffee and pick your brain as I really value your opinion. -Tim
Note: people are busy, and it sounds like over-kill, but always message the night before to remind them, “Looking forward to coffee tomorrow at X at Y time. LMK if anything comes up!”
Step 3: Ask good questions during your coffee date. Like any good interviewer, I like to prepared 2-3 questions ahead of time to ensure the conversation is flowing — and I always end the conversation with "anyone else you recommend I should talk with"?
Step 4: Write down notes and take-aways from all your coffee dates. Reflecting about what got me excited, and what I didn't like, helped me formulate and solidify my near-term plan. See blog post.
Title of email: Thank you for your time
Email body: Hey XXXX, thank you so much for taking the time to link-up for coffee. I really appreciated what you said about “x” and it’s given me lots to think about. I’d love to stay in touch! -Tim
Step 5. Project manage all your job leads. There is too much information to hold in your head so writing it out helps you think clearly and see the big picture of potential future employers. Template.
Bonus points: when you do land your job, reach out to your network to thank them again, let them know where you are headed and how your conversation played a pivital role in your search.