Be Open to Possibilities During Your Job Search

Seeking a new job often becomes a job in itself, as you finesse your resume, compose thoughtful cover letters, research companies and follow leads in pursuit of your ideal position. Remaining focused and methodical is the conventional route to reaching your goal, but being open to possibilities outside of the routines allows alternative paths to appear. While you need not explore every potentiality that presents itself, embracing unexpected options enhances your job search success.

Anyone searching for employment is bombarded by job search advice, both solicited and unsolicited. Guidance on what to include in your resume, what to exclude in your cover letter, how to dress for an interview and how to address follow-up inquiries abound. No shortage of suggestions exists when it comes to finding a new job well-suited for you, and many of the tried-and-true methods are effective, which is why they persist. However, being open to possibilities in your job search that differ from the traditional is good advice too.

Career coaches encourage you to listen to your heart and pursue your passions. Keep your mind open to possibilities that come from your interests and you might be led to a career that you truly enjoy. Take the time to consider your goals and question whether they are aligned with the career path you are following. Perhaps your present profession is not the one you should be pursuing.

Allowing yourself to be open to possibilities that could lead you down a different path does not mean you should allow yourself to be led astray. Even if your professional goal remains constant, keeping yourself open helps you discover alternate opportunities that get you closer to that goal. Conventional wisdom offers excellent advice, and career sites continue espousing job search clichés for a reason, and you should follow much of the job search advice in most instances. Unconventional tips should be used sparingly, but you should use them, if appropriate.

One such unconventional tip recommends you stay open to possibilities beyond the short-term functions of the positions you apply for today. Focus on the position as it might be in five years. Imagine the ways you might benefit from skills learned and shape the job into one more aligned with your career goals. Consider the networking resources made available. Be open to accepting a position that might not interest you today but might grant you access to where you wish to be tomorrow.

Many top executives and leaders of industry traveled unexpected paths to achieve their positions. Very few career paths adhere strictly to a predictable plan. Allow your heart and your mind to be open to possibilities and you might find unexpected connections and unusual conversations that uncover your ideal place and position.

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