Campaigning vs. Job Search

Campaigning vs. Job Search What can we learn from this years campaigning (or any election year, for that matter)? There are numerous parallels between political campaigning and job search and career management. What Is a Campaign? Your career is a campaign and so is your job search. It is an operation, a battle, a movement, a push and it is offensive! Drive and take initiative. Take a stand. Be heard! Connect, relate and be true to your values. A laissez fair (or indifferent) attitude will result in lackluster outcomes. Win or lose, just give it your best! Image Like it or not, personal appearance matters. From the color of their ties to the shoes on their feet. (And lets not forget what their spouses wear!) We judge and assess people by how they dress and how they look. Does this have anything to do with how they will perform on the job? Nope, but some how, we use this as a way to determine whether we like them and can relate to them. You better believe they have fashion consultants and advisors working with them to get it right! Experience Is there a track record of success? Is the past experience relevant to the industry being sought? The candidates are working hard to earn votes by highlighting examples of success, in case we have forgotten over four years; and connecting the dots so we understand how running a business is like running the country. So is it ever a good idea to bad mouth others? Criticism without providing specific solutions seems kinda lame. Outreach The candidates use websites, town hall meetings, social media, advertising- you name it. They are doing it all. Having an online presence is important, but so is face-to-face, one-on-one interaction. They want to build relationships and connect with as many as possible! Message What is their agenda? What do they want us to know? Well, that is predicated on who they are talking to and what is important to that audience. The candidates and their speech writers work hard to ensure the message resonates with the crowd. The candidates who connect best are the likely to win the hearts and votes. Slogan Do these slogans really represent what we need to hear? Are they solving our problems? Your Next Steps Create a winning campaign for your career. Present yourself with integrity, confidence and authenticity! PS: For the record, I despise what our politicians have become- dirty and disconnected. Let this be a warning to leaders and self-leaders!