Unfortunately, the trend today is for people to polish their resume and submit hundreds of copies via online job sites hoping that they will get a hit.  Many job seekers are applying for anything and everything that is remotely appealing and this technique is not yielding successful results. In reality, job seekers should work backwards visualizing their dream job and then plan a strategy to find a rewarding opportunity in their respective field. It’s true that you can’t get what you want unless you know what you are looking for. The one-size-fits-all resume will never serve you well, and neither will submitting aimless applications for anything that is posted on the job boards. Slow down and take the time to figure out what you really want.

Figure out what kinds of jobs appeal to you first and target your applications accordingly. Focus on your skills and strengths and really consider what you enjoy doing. Taking the time for honest self reflection will save you emotional stress by avoiding a bad career choice that doesn’t match your values, interests, skills and personality in the long run.

Once you know what you want, begin to build relationships with people who do the same kind of work you are pursuing. Chances are you already have these people in your network, or others may know people who can make an introduction on your behalf. By starting with the end in mind and planning from there you can spend your time wisely to build meaningful contacts that could lead to opportunities.

You need to be able to articulate your story about who you are and what you want to do next. Networking is not about asking others for a job. It’s about engendering trust and respect and learning from others so you can move forward with your career goals. Whenever possible, meet face-to-face with your contacts. It’s more personable than phone or email and enables others to see you in action. Strut your professional stuff and make a lasting positive impression. Seek out informational interviews and avoid being a well kept secret by conducting your job search in public.

Research tells us that currently only 4-5% of jobs are secured through job boards and over 80% are found through effective networking. So develop a plan and take the time to meet with people to learn about opportunities, and put yourself out there. There is great wisdom in the philosophy Ready, Aim, Fire! If you do not prepare, you won’t even know what you are shooting for.

Following the career development steps of self evaluating your VIPS (values, interests, personality and skills) it’s time to focus on personality. This happens to be one of my favorite parts of the career reinvention and self reflection journey.  Personality refers to your unique patterns of mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral characteristics.

You may have heard of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator™ (MBTI) an assessment tool that breaks personality down to 4 preferences.

• Where do you draw your energy? Do you prefer to focus on the external world of people and actions or are you energized by ideas and feelings of the inner world?
• How do you perceive information? Do you focus on the realities of the present or the possibilities of the future?
• How do you make decisions? Are you guided by objective, analytical reasoning or subjective, personal values?
• What is your need for order in life? Do you prefer to be organized and planned or spontaneous and flexible?

Your personality preferences play a big role in the type of work you may like or dislike. Very often I’ll work with clients who wish they could be doing someone else’s job on their organization’s team because their position is simply not a good fit.

Know Thy Self and honor your inborn personality type to help you find a career that matches your natural tendencies. There are many fabulous career coaches certified to administer and interpret the MBTI but I caution you to find experienced practitioners who can guide you through this exciting self reflection. The unofficial online versions cannot give you the full picture of the instrument and how personality plays a role in your career world so take the time to find someone with credentials and experience if this assessment appeals to you.

The MBTI now has expanded versions (Step II and Step III) that delve even deeper into additional competencies and personality traits that may help you further discover your ideal career fit.