Job Hunting…How Times Have Changed

I am in search of a job. After leaving Flexera in 2018, some contract consulting gigs through early 2019, and time off to take care of my parents, I am in job search mode. I’ve put out a few networking “feelers”. I’ve updated my resume to reflect what I think is important about my professional background. I’ve even sent my updated resume out through some LinkedIn job postings. Here I am. Ready to go. And then it dawned on me; the last time I actually searched for a job was way back in 2008. I was in a job search process when a recruiter from Microsoft called me after being referred by a friend. Flexera was a known entity as well through a good friend and former manager. 

I am shocked at how things have changed in the job searching world. A few days ago, I applied for a job in my field that had unique interest for me, based upon my likes, dislikes, and interests (I won’t go any further than this as it makes me a bit vulnerable in sharing what new areas I am going after where my perfectionist imposter syndrome sneaks in and tells me there is no way I’d get hired for that job). I clicked the “apply now” button, filled out the information required and attached a copy of my updated resume. I was then taken to a page that asked me a series of questions. As I started going through it, admittedly getting a little “stuck” on some, I scrolled down the list of questions and said to myself, “Jeez, this is an on-line interview”. I was a bit taken aback by this process, as this is not how I remember it being done, but I supposed with the sheer quantity of resumes a job listing receives, this could be the new way to weed people out, although likely not really “new”. As I looked ahead to the last question, I was taken aback again. The last question read, “Name one person you’d like to have dinner with – deceased or alive – and why”? Now I realize in some circles this is designed to see how deep one might go sometimes in a philosophical way, indicating how intelligent (or not) someone is. A “critical thinking” question perhaps?

So I answered honestly, as that is just who I am. My response was, “my late husband who passed away in 2013 because no matter how long you have with the ones you love, it is never enough. You’d do anything for just one more minute, or dinner”. 

Bet they never got that answer before :-)

My #zerofucks attitude kicked in with the remainder of my answers. 

Asking about accomplishments and experiences, I melded together not only the work in my professional career over the past 20 years but also the life lessons that those professional experiences provided me when I needed them most; navigating the medical field, research and patient advocacy of my husband through the end of life as well as my parents in the past year. You see, what I have realized is that all of these experiences, not just the professional ones, are what make me qualified for any role I apply for. And at this moment answering these questions, I had to unlearn everything I have known when it comes to applying for a job. Every professional answer I’ve ever been programmed to respond to, I now said to myself, nope. This is who I am now. Take all of me or none of me as it’s a package deal. You want professional skills, demeanor, and know-how, then you need to also take the resilience, soul building, and compassion. 

And guess what? 

It felt gooooooddddd…..to be wholly authentic and true to myself answering those questions felt AMAZING! Vulnerable and open to criticism? Yep. Risky? Yep. Honest and in line with my values and who I am? Yep. And it actually felt fun to be me and in my own skin. Maybe even a little rebellious. Perhaps Vacation Tracey + Work Tracey = Tracey 2.0?  

Here’s the deal. One of two things will happen when someone reads those answers. They’ll either respond with, “yep, she’s crazy, we can’t hire her” or “wow, this is really open and honest and the kind of person we want to hire”. If it’s the former, I don’t want to be there, and if it’s the latter, then it’s one step closer to finding the right fit for me. All. Of. Me.

Today, I have been asked to apply for a job that requires sharing a private YouTube video to serve as a cover letter. It is said you can send a cover letter but are highly encouraged to send a video. I like it! I can get more of “me” communicated in this vehicle. 

While this new approach to job matchmaking feels awkward and new, I am going to embrace it and have fun with it. Bring on the matchmaking. I’m ready for the perfect – or several small – perfect “fits”.

Here we go…

What are your suggestions for job hunting in this new decade especially if this is your “second act”? I’d love to hear from you on how you either reinvented yourself or if you’re a hiring manager what you are telling recruiters and applicants is the best way to put your best self forward.

Thanks for listening...