The “Reactive Slump” happens when you allow the losses that occur during your job search to get you down. Everyone deserves to be sad, for a day or two, but that’s it! If you’re currently in a “Reactive Slump” I want to help you get out!
First, listen to a bit of motivation.
Then, let’s chat about and work through some common challenges job seekers face that send them into a “Reactive Slump.”
The Networking Roadmap
🚨 Problem: “I don’t know where to go to network.”
Well first, if you’re reading this, that means you care about your professional development! That’s a good sign.
Next, head on over to a platform where people also care about their personal development (i.e. LinkedIn, Elpha, or a Professional Slack Community).
Then do the following:
- Send a simple “Hi, how are you doing?” to 15 people from one of those platforms.
- Next, connect with 15 new people in your industry. Don’t forget to introduce yourself before connecting! This will jumpstart your networking journey.
- Finally, try to get at least 50% of all the people you reach out to via DMs on the phone. And if you’re nervous or don’t know how to do that, don’t worry, I got you. Here’s a networking guide.
After you do the above, sign up for my favorite networking secret network — Lunchclub!
I’m a huge advocate for Lunchclub because it’s one of the easiest ways to build your network. You can sign up for 1-3 virtual coffee chats each week during a time that works best for YOU! Then the Lunchclub tool acts like a personal assistant and automatically schedules these chats for you!
Questions to Ask At Your Next Professional Coffee Chat
Now, if you don’t know what to say during your networking calls or coffee chats, check out some of the questions below:
Career Insights and Experience
- What inspired you to pursue your career path, and how did you get started in this field?
- Can you share a significant challenge you faced early in your career and how you overcame it?
- Can you tell me about a particularly memorable or impactful project or experience from your career?
- What do you wish you had known when you were at my career stage?
- In your opinion, what are the most crucial skills or qualities young professionals should focus on developing today?
Professional Development and Advice
- What key skills or qualities do you believe have contributed most to your success in this industry?
- What advice would you give to someone who is just starting in this field?
- What are some common misconceptions about our industry that you’ve encountered, and how do you address them?
- What advice would you offer for navigating career advancement opportunities within this industry?
- Are there any particular resources (books, websites, courses) you would recommend for further professional development?
Life-Work Balance and Adaptability
- How do you stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in our industry?
- How do you strike a life-work balance, especially during demanding phases of your career?
- How do you handle situations where you need to adapt to rapid changes or unexpected challenges in your work?
- What are some strategies you’ve found effective for managing stress in a high-pressure work environment?
- Can you share an experience where your work and personal life intersected, and how did you manage that situation?
Networking and Mentorship
- Can you talk about a mentor or someone who significantly influenced your career, and how did they impact your professional growth?
- Could you share any networking tips or strategies that have been particularly effective for you?
- How do you approach building and maintaining professional relationships in this industry?
- Can you discuss a situation where networking played a significant role in your career advancement?
- How do you identify and engage with potential mentors or advisors in your professional journey?
- Is there anyone else in this industry or field that you recommend I follow or reach out to?
Turning Rejection into Opportunity
🚨 Problem: “I keep getting rejected because I don’t have enough experience.”
Let’s DIY your experience! Here’s how:
- Identify 5-8 local businesses that you’re obsessed with. (I’ll wait…)
- Now, do a deep dive into the specific area of the business that you need experience with.
- Example: if you want to be a social media strategist, look for ways that you can make your fave business’ social content better. Next, choose your own path.
- Example: if you want to be a social media strategist, look for ways that you can make your fave business’ social content better. Next, choose your own path.
Need help picking a business? Check out the list of typical local businesses you might find in your city or town below.
Local Business Categories (List One)
⭐ Grocery stores
⭐ Restaurants (fast food, casual dining, fine dining)
⭐ Coffee shops
⭐ Gas stations
⭐ Banks and credit unions
⭐ Pharmacies
⭐ Convenience stores
⭐ Gyms and fitness centers
⭐ Hair salons and barbershops
⭐ Clothing stores (both large chains and boutiques)
⭐ Electronics stores
⭐ Bookstores
⭐ Auto repair shops
⭐ Car dealerships
⭐ Hardware stores
⭐ Home improvement stores
⭐ Post offices
⭐ Medical clinics and hospitals
Local Business Categories (List Two)
⭐ Veterinary clinics
⭐ Hotels and motels
⭐️ Movie theaters
⭐️ Museums / Art galleries
⭐️ Bars, pubs, and nightclubs
⭐️ Bakeries
⭐️ Ice cream parlors
⭐️ Florists
⭐️ Jewelry stores
⭐️ Sporting goods stores
⭐️ Pet stores
⭐️ Pet grooming services
⭐️ Dry cleaners
⭐️ Laundromats
⭐️ Taxis and rideshare services
⭐️ Travel agencies
⭐️ Insurance agencies
⭐️ Law firms
⭐️ Real estate agencies
⭐️ Accountants and tax preparation services
Choose Your Own Career Adventure
Now that you’ve settled on a business, it’s time to chart your own career path. Will you choose to further refine your skills, or are you eager to fast-track to success and secure that coveted bag?
Listen to the chill vibes while you make your decision and do the work.
Choose your path below now!
Path One: Develop Your Skills
Develop Your Skills
- Select one of the businesses.
- Pick one (1) problem to solve for this business that aligns with your desired role/skills.
- Put together official documents, briefs, reports, presentation decks, etc. that outline how you would solve this problem. If you need inspiration check out these prompts.
- Record yourself “presenting” your plans as if you were giving a real presentation to the company using a tool like Loom.
- Put all of the work that you do (including the video) inside of a digital portfolio. Mention this work in your next interview!
- Bonus: Send a snippet of your video and a few samples of your presentation to the company that you did the project on (try to find the leader on the team who would benefit most from your solution!)
- Bonus: Ask the business if you can do part-time or freelance work for them.
Path Two: Get To the Bag
Get to The Bag
- Select a few of the businesses you’ve written down.
- Pick one (1) problem to solve for this business that aligns with your desired role/skills.
- Put together official documents, briefs, reports, presentation decks, etc. that outline how you’ve solved a similar business problem before. All of this needs to go inside of a digital portfolio.
- Reach out to the businesses on your list and ask if they would like to try your services. Make sure to attach all of the information they’ll need to easily say yes (your portfolio of past work, your calendar link to set up time to talk to you, your rates, your resume, etc.)
- Keep reaching out to local businesses in your chosen categories until you build up a slate of clients. I suggest taking on 1-3 clients part-time and working with them for at least 2-3 months. This way, you’ll have enough time to experiment and see a few results from your efforts.
- Make sure to document everything that you do, and put it all in a digital portfolio.
- Continue to seek full-time employment if you desire. Mention your freelance work and your results during your interviews!
The Bounce Back: Rejection Recovery
🚨 Problem: “I got rejected from my dream company.”
First things first, that’s okay! Take a day or two to be sad about it, but then, do these things:
- Connect with the recruiter and every person you interviewed with at the company.
- Send them a Thank You Note, thanking them for their time. (I know, after being rejected you don’t want to thank anyone, but trust me, this might benefit you in the future.
Want to use the templates above? Grab a copy of them both below:
Post Interview Connection Request (Recruiter)
Hi [Recruiter’s Name],
Thank you for considering me for the [position]. Though I didn’t get the role, I’d love to stay connected on LinkedIn for future opportunities.
Best, [Your Name]
Post Interview Connection Request (Hiring Manager)
Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I appreciate the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. While I’m disappointed not to move forward, I’d like to stay connected on LinkedIn for future opportunities.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Choose Your Own Career Adventure
👉👉 Path 1: Infiltrate Your Dream Company
You won’t always get what you want, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get what you want.
So what if you didn’t land that exact job, on that exact team, in your dream company? Here’s something you can do instead —infiltrate the company from the “inside,” by building your internal support system. By doing so, you’ll cultivate relationships and allies within the organization. Then, when you apply again in the future, you’ll have a team of advocates ready to vouch for you or provide recommendations.
Here’s How to Infiltrate Your Dream Company:
- Head to Google or LinkedIn and search for three teams that specialize in tasks closely resembling the work you were recently turned down for within your desired company.
- Set up a few calls with the team members that you find to learn more about what they do and how they contribute to the company (and expand your network!).
- During the call ask about ways that you can get closer to the work. Ask to job shadow, freelance, or volunteer so that you can learn more about the work.
- At the end of the conversation, don’t forget to ask your new connection to recommend you to someone else, so that you can continue to expand your network.
- Use the networking guide below to help guide your conversation!
3 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Networking & Boost Your Network
👉👉 Path 2: Take Your Talents to the Competition
This is another one of those you don’t get what you want, but you can eventually get what you want type of paths. On path #2 we’re choosing to be petty.
Here’s How to Take Your Talents To the Competitor:
- Find 2 competitors who operate in the same market as your dream company.
- Explore both companies to identify teams and people who perform tasks similar to the position you were declined for.
- Connect with the team members via virtual coffee chats to learn more about their teams, the company, and any possible openings.
- Bonus Points: If you had to do any assignments in your interview, don’t be shy about showing them a snippet of your work, and saying that you’ve “consulted” with their competitor.
- Check out the “Leaving Here With Something” Guide below that walks you through how to communicate and show off the work you’ve done during past interviews.
Navigating Job Interviews: 4 Tactics to Avoid Burnout and Exploitation
Eliminate Job Search Hurdles with These Essential Resources!
How Do I Stand Out In A Competitive Job Market?
Resume Tools to Help You Edit Your Resume
