For over 30 years one of the most respected business books has been “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People”.  Could the same principles be applied to job search?  Below is a summary from Steven Covey’s book that I believe can be applied to the modern job search process.

Grow your professional network

Develop the habit of building connections with people who can help you find the career you’re looking for. When it comes to landing a job, sometimes it really does come down to who you know.

Networking doesn’t come naturally to most people and especially when it comes to job search.  But networking properly can go a long way if you’re looking for a new job. Reaching out to people online is key, but ensure you have a networking strategy, rather than just chatting with whoever pops up in your feed. Do you have a couple of dream companies you’d love to work with? 

If you’re working on a career change, you might expand your networking to more generalized groups and work through various networking platforms. Consider your industry associations, trade shows, job fairs, etc. 

Prepare a networking profile which includes a good summary of yourself, a list of key skills, the job titles of positions you are interested in seeking, target companies and target people to share with your network. 

The rest of the principles all come back to job search networking strategies. 

7 Habits: Job Search Networking Strategies

Be proactive – The passive approach of online search, sitting at a computer and clicking the apply button doesn’t pay off enough to warrant spending more than an hour a day.   Job search is a contact sport, you must find ways to connect with those who have influence and connections. Make a list of people you feel can introduce you to the decision makers.  Work the list. 

Begin with the end in mind – If someone asks what you are looking for, your answer must be short, specific, believable, and memorable to be effective.  Envision what you want in the future so that you know concretely what you want to make a reality.

Put first things first – Prioritize your tasks.  Do those job search activities which bring the greatest return and move you most rapidly toward a connection and success?  Connecting with the right people is a priority. 

Think win/win – As you network, you are building mutually beneficial relationships.  Networking that is not win/win is ineffective.  Shaping your job search around the principle of win/win assures a great outcome.  Always ask you network, “how can I help you?” 

Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Successful networking conversations and job interviews are all about fully understanding the needs, desires, and problems of the other person.  This creates an atmosphere of caring and positive problem solving. It is not all about you, but it is about you in the sense you can help others and at the same time help yourself by letting them know what your are seeking to pursue as a new career. 

Synergize – In true synergy there is additional energy produced through cooperation.  For job seekers this is networking at its highest form, finding ways to connect and benefit everyone around you, knowing that those benefits come back to you, often in unexpected or unpredictable ways.

Sharpen the saw – Take this opportunity to become a lifelong learner.  Continue to learn, grow in knowledge and skill even when you don’t have a job.  This is critically important for job seekers, particularly if the search drags on more than a few months, which seems to be more common now.  This is a chance for you to volunteer, take classes (online or on campus), or do temporary work.  These all demonstrate that your skills are current, and you haven’t let them go “stale”.

Your full-time job is job search, use the same management skills and principles listed that made you a success on your job to make your job search successful.