Guest: How I Turned My Job Hunt into a Team Effort

Posted on April 22nd, 2010 by Keith Ferrazzi

Nothing like a good employment success story to brighten a Thursday.

Andrea Goldstein started a Who's Got Your Back-style lifeline group focused on her job search. Read what happened below!

How I Turned My Job Hunt into a Team Effort
Andrea Goldstein, Digital Marketing Consultant

andreaEvery week, I take about two hours out of my day to meet some friends at a local coffee place. We’re not there gossiping about our social lives or the latest episode of “The Real Housewives of NYC,” (although that occasionally comes up in conversation!) but to talk about our search for meaningful employment.

The group is composed of a few women I’ve met through mutual friends or volunteering with various non-profit organizations.  Due to the state of the economy, I have not had any problems recruiting people to join.  Our first meeting had eight women, now we are down to five. Some have found full-time employment, contract work or internships, so it’s always bittersweet when someone “graduates” since each person brings their own insights, energy and experience to the group.

I saw Keith speak during his book tour for Who’s Got Your Back.  What resonated with me was when he spoke about the importance of having people around you who want you to succeed but are also candid enough to tell you when you are getting in your own way. I was lucky enough to find a group of like-minded women who were willing to take Keith’s four mindsets and put them into action each week.

1.    Generosity – Each week, we take the time listen to each others’ progress, issues we’re facing, or do tactical things like review resumes.  We show our generosity by offering advice, contacts and tips. For example, one of our members told us she had met an influential woman in her target industry at an event several weeks ago.  She asked her to be a mentor and she said she was willing to help.  Soon after, our member became busy with a freelance project and did not follow up.  She was worried that she might have waited too long to follow up and wasn’t sure what the correct approach was.  Each person gave her advice on what to do and she is now excited to reach out to arrange a meeting.

2.    Vulnerability – Each week, we let down our walls.  Nobody feels pressured to put on a happy face and constantly be upbeat.  Job searches are trying even for the most optimistic person. When one of our members did not get the position she was excited about, we gave her advice to keep her search going, rather than letting disappointment derail her from her goal.

3.    Candor – Along with being vulnerable, we are also candid with each other.  One member tried an unorthodox way to get a hiring manager’s attention.  Without going into details, her method failed and she was trying to understand why it happened.  While her idea was creative, it might have been perceived as unprofessional and we were able to get her to see that.

4.    Accountability – This is the primary reason why I started the group.  I needed an organized way of keeping track of the jobs I was applying for, and more importantly, following up.  I created a spreadsheet, updated it weekly with my progress and shared it with the group.  Some have adapted my tracking system to their needs.  Each person has their own way of being accountable – one sends a weekly email with her progress, another created an action plan and sticks to it by giving her verbal updates during our meeting.  There is no “one size fits all” approach; each person does what works for her.

If you are looking for a new opportunity, why not start your own job search group?  Ask your friends or use social media to find others who are willing to take the time to exchange ideas and offer support.  You never know what might come from it. As for me, my job search ended with a gig at FG!

Andrea Goldstein is a digital marketing consultant with Ferrazzi Greenlight, who is currently enrolled in RMA.  She can be found on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/andreagoldstein.

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One Response so far | Have Your Say!

  1. I really appreciated reading how you're putting the 'dream team' concepts into action. Thanks for taking the time to post about it.

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