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Advancing Your CPG Career through Job Search

 

 

Meredith's Insights from her Journey

1. Invest in Yourself

Meredith realized that her initial "shotgun approach" of applying to numerous jobs without a clear strategy wasn’t yielding results. Deciding to invest in herself by working with a coach helped her focus on more strategic efforts, such as networking and managing her mindset, which ultimately produced better outcomes.

2. Manage Your Mind

A crucial element of Meredith’s success was managing her mindset. She learned to handle the ups and downs of job searching by not giving too much power to negative emotions like doubt, fear, or rejection. She focused on staying present and moving forward, keeping the bigger picture in mind.

3. The Power of Networking

Meredith underestimated the value of networking in her job search. She was pleasantly surprised by how helpful and willing people were to assist. Through authentic outreach and meaningful conversations, she developed strong connections that became pivotal in her career transition. Networking taught her that building relationships is essential, not only for finding a job but also for long-term career success.

4. Embrace Rejection and Keep Moving

Meredith learned not to dwell on setbacks. She approached each job interview or networking opportunity as a step in the right direction, regardless of the outcome. Staying focused on her professional energy allowed her to avoid getting stuck on individual rejections and continue progressing toward her goals.

5. Stay Organized and Track Your Progress

Meredith used a detailed tracker to manage her job search, logging every conversation, follow-up, and application. This system kept her organized and ensured that she didn’t lose sight of any opportunity. It helped her stay accountable and follow through on each step.

6. Time Management and Routine

She emphasized the importance of time management, especially while balancing a passive job search. Meredith used a structured approach, planning her week ahead and sticking to a routine, which helped her stay consistent in her efforts and maintain momentum in her search.

7. Confidence in Negotiation

When Meredith received an offer, she worked with her coach to negotiate for what she wanted. She found that having confidence in her worth allowed her to secure a better package, demonstrating the importance of knowing your value during the negotiation process.

8. Resilience and Trust in the Process

Meredith highlighted the need to trust the process. She maintained resilience throughout her journey, understanding that there would be ups and downs but staying committed to the belief that the right opportunity was out there. She compared it to finding a partner, saying it only takes "one yes" to change everything.

9. Carry Forward the Skills Learned

Meredith now feels equipped with a new set of skills, including networking, managing her mindset, and tracking her progress, that will serve her in future job searches or career transitions. This process gave her confidence that she can navigate any career shift moving forward.

These insights reflect Meredith’s growth throughout her job search and offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to advance their career.

 

Aimee shared her experience and the steps she took during her job search, highlighting what worked, the challenges she faced, and the strategies that led her to success. Below are the key takeaways:

  1. Starting the Job Search:
    • Aimee began her job search over a year ago, initially applying to any jobs she found on LinkedIn, but she experienced long periods of silence with no responses.
    • She realized that the issue wasn’t her resume, but her approach. This led her to seek help and implement new strategies.
  2. Implementing New Strategies:
    • Daily Thought Downloads: Aimee struggled initially with thought downloads, confusing them with a to-do list. However, once she began documenting her thoughts and fears, it helped clear her mind and focus better on her goals. This practice also supported her in managing her day more effectively.
    • Monday Hour One: This technique, which involves organizing and prioritizing tasks at the start of the week, was challenging but proved transformative. It helped Aimee realize how much she was trying to accomplish and allowed her to prioritize effectively.
  3. Managing the Mind:
    • A significant shift for Aimee was learning to manage her mind. She was initially in a dark place, unhappy with her job, and spent a lot of time searching for new roles. Through coaching, she learned to balance her current job with her job search, maintaining her responsibilities and focusing on what truly mattered in her career progression.
  4. Networking and Interviews:
    • Aimee emphasized the importance of networking and how reconnecting with old contacts, even after years of no communication, was not as difficult as she feared. This effort paid off significantly, helping her secure multiple job offers.
    • She also discussed the importance of organizing her notes during networking and interviews, which helped her stay on top of conversations and follow-ups.
  5. Handling Offers and Decision-Making:
    • When it came to receiving offers, Aimee initially struggled with stress and anxiety, particularly during intense interviews like panel interviews. Despite feeling she didn’t perform well, she received positive feedback and an offer, which was an eye-opener about her self-criticism.
    • Polly advised Aimee on how to be bold in interviews, leading to positive responses from employers. Aimeealso learned to keep the process conversational, making it easier to connect with interviewers and differentiate herself.
  6. Maintaining Current Job Performance:
    • One critical piece of advice Aimee shared was not to neglect your current job during a job search. She admitted there were weeks where she did no work for her current role, which made it challenging to discuss her achievements in interviews.

Kim's Experience--July 2024

 

Introduction to Kim

  • Kim, a senior sales leader, recently secured a new opportunity and shared her experiences and learnings from her job search, which began in April. Her positive mindset and strategic approach were crucial to her success.

Key Learnings from Kim’s Journey:

  1. Embrace the Process:
    • Kim emphasized the importance of embracing the job search process positively, viewing it as a personal growth opportunity despite its challenges. She likened it to being the hero of her own movie, which helped her stay motivated.
  2. Managing Your Mind:
    • One of the most impactful strategies was managing her mind using the Self-Coaching 101 principles. Initially theoretical, these principles became transformative when practically applied, helping Kim stay positive and move quickly through her search.
  3. Tactical Example - Coca-Cola Interview:
    • Kim shared a specific instance during her interview process with Coca-Cola. Despite initial anxiety due to past experiences, she used self-coaching techniques to manage her emotions and approach the feedback call positively, which ultimately resulted in promising feedback and new opportunities.
  4. Clear Goals and Networking:
    • Setting clear goals for her job search was vital. Kim focused on favoring the future, being specific about what she wanted, and effectively communicating this in interviews and networking conversations.
    • Networking was a significant part of Kim’s strategy. She engaged in over 150 networking conversations, leading to 15 active opportunities at various stages. She highlighted the importance of adding value in these interactions, making them more collaborative rather than transactional.
  5. Step-by-Step Approach:
    • Kim stressed the importance of tracking opportunities and maintaining a structured approach to her job search. She used a tracker to manage her connections and follow-ups, ensuring nothing fell through the cracks.
    • Regular weekly reviews of her goals and progress helped her stay on track and continually improve her approach.

Additional Insights:

  • The importance of negotiation: Kim shared her experience of negotiating for a higher compensation package, stressing the importance of advocating for one’s worth.
  • Balancing personal and professional goals: Kim included personal goals like regular exercise and meditation in her weekly planning, which contributed to her overall well-being and success.

These strategies and insights from Kim’s experience highlight the importance of a positive mindset, clear goals, strategic networking, and effective self-management in advancing your CPG career through a job search. I encourage you to reflect on these points and consider how you can apply them to your own journey.