Job You Want Is on the Other Side of the Work You Are Avoiding

Image Credit: Ortega Ulloa

“The life you want is in the work you’re avoiding,” – Sahil Bloom, American writer.

Bloom’s words hit because they’re true.

During my early adult years, I was eager to find shortcuts. As I matured and shed my sense of entitlement, while observing those who achieved the success I aspired to, I realized that I could only attain the fulfillment, success, and personal growth I sought by confronting and completing the difficult or uncomfortable tasks I’d been avoiding.

Landing a job in today’s highly competitive job market requires more than just talking about it, which is all many job seekers do; you need to do the work you’re avoiding. Now more than ever, you have to roll up your sleeves and tackle the unglamorous tasks that’ll benefit your job search.

The Habit of Networking

The importance of networking can’t be overstated. As I’ve mentioned in past columns, right now, there are job opportunities all around you. The catch: they’re connected to people; therefore, start talking to people! Learn to initiate meaningful conversations. The best networking tip I know is to ask yourself, “How can I help this person?” when you meet someone for the first time. Who can you introduce them to? What can you suggest? What can you offer in terms of sharing knowledge, expertise, or ‘tricks of the trade’?

Applying to online job postings is essentially gambling; you’re depending on a stranger to hire you. Yes, strangers do get hired; however, they aren’t hired as frequently as those who are known to employers and recruiters. Networking builds familiarity, which recruiters and hiring managers rightfully believe mitigates hiring risks.

Indeed, cultivating a professional network can be uncomfortable, and rejection is inevitable. Networking is most effective for people who already have established connections or strong social skills; thus, identifying two actions you should take if you’re committed to your job search and career management.

1. If you are currently employed, start building and maintaining a professional network. Networking only when you need a job is asking a stranger for a favour, which you’re not entitled to, and often comes across as begging.
2. Develop your social skills, which’ll serve you well in both your professional and personal life. Hiding behind the limiting belief that you’re an “introvert” does you a huge disservice. We live in a world built by extroverts for extroverts; therefore, you need to adapt to this reality, as it won’t adapt to you.

Four books that’ll level up your social skills:

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (If you only read one book, read this one. It’s foundational and covers all the essential social skills that are crucial to becoming socially adept.)
2. How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People, by Les Giblin
3. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
4. The Laws of Human Nature, by Robert Greene

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is active 24/7/365. In contrast, your resume only makes an impression when someone looks at it—likely just a quick glance—making your LinkedIn profile more influential in your job search than your resume. Yet, many job seekers avoid fully optimizing what is essentially their digital handshake and naively believe their subpar profile isn’t hindering their job search, or, with many feeling entitled, think it shouldn’t be.

Spend a day with your LinkedIn profile and nail down the following:

• Professional Photo: A high-quality headshot where you look approachable (smiling helps).
• Background Image: A custom background image that reinforces who you are and what you do.
• Keyword-Rich Headline: Use the 220 characters to highlight your expertise, unique value, and the problems you solve.
• Story-Driven “About” Section (Summary): Write in the first person and share your professional journey, motivations, and skills through a compelling story.
• Detailed Experience Sections: Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and outcomes in each role. (Simply listing your duties doesn’t demonstrate your value.) Include links to projects, presentations, or publications to create a visual portfolio of your work.
• Relevant Skills & Endorsements: List at least 10 relevant hard and soft skills, prioritizing the top three as the most important.
• Recommendations: Ask current and former colleagues, managers, and clients for testimonials to show social proof of your work ethic and skills.
• Customized URL: Customize your LinkedIn URL to boost visibility, appear more professional, and strengthen your online presence. (e.g., https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkossovan).