Human Connections
Since 2010, I have emphasized making human connections for background-challenged reentering job seekers. This came about out of frustration as I watched person after person try to navigate the job search gauntlet, assuming that casting a wide net (that is, internet “shotgunning” resumes and applications) would do the trick. It rarely did, and it still doesn’t.
Now, fifteen years on, digitization (the internet, smartphones, apps, and here comes AI…) has taken things to a new level, which is only the beginning. This “progress” keeps the temptation alive and well. Sit back and push out your app materials, and if you cast a big net far enough, you will snag one here or there. You might.
Then what?
If you make it to an interview, you must decide whether to discuss your background. The interviewer may already know via a simple internet search or may not, pending the results of this and other interviews, possibly to come before a formal background check is made. It depends on how each employer interviews and manages the hiring process. But one thing is universal and crystal clear: if they want to learn about your background (and, of course, most do), they will find out sooner or later.
Rather than “wing it,” plan for it. Build your search approach around meeting people in person whenever possible, looking for those who could become what I refer to as “People Links,” individuals who can assist you in getting your first reentry job, keeping it, and moving on from it. Good things can happen if you show up and make a good impression by being forthright and authentic. Most people want to help other people. So give yourself an opportunity for this to happen.
However, as critical as the first reentry job is, the next one is even more important—two points to note here:
Job seekers not burdened by background baggage can bounce back quickly if their first job doesn’t work out—but not you. You tumble back to square one, making climbing up extra tricky. Progressing to job number two, when you are trying to get back in the saddle of your FIRST job, now seems like a bridge too far. It can be demoralizing. Many folks fall off because of this. You may not even get to the next job, especially if you haven’t developed People Links to help you retain your first. That’s point number one.
The second point relates to moving to your next job. Keep in mind that your first one is rarely your forever gig. And here’s the truth: moving on (and up) when you have background snags is much easier when you have people in your corner because People Links are more than references. They know you, have seen what you have done and can do, and are willing to continue assisting you by being on your team, even if it means seeing you leave after doing a good job. If someone isn’t cheering you on or wishing you the best in your next endeavor, they aren’t your People Links.
All this starts with you meeting people face-to-face, the first step in developing professional (working) relationships that will be invaluable to your forward movement and overall success. You may not want to do it out of fear of rejection or moving too far out of your comfort zone. If so, plow through it because the digit is not your friend, and its morphing offspring, AI, won’t help make things better for background-challenged job seekers.
If connecting with people is done right, rejection is rarely a factor. Developing People Links is a deliberate process, not a random or willy-nilly undertaking. The same goes for selecting your Job Search Objective and all the other reentry job search steps; planning followed by thoughtful, intentional action leads to success.
And the common denominator?
People, not digits.
Onward!