How Looking For A Job Is Like Selling Your House

As you might expect, I was thinking this morning about all the people being released from their jobs these days. This economy is driving every company to reconsider the minimum staffing required to succeed and it may have already affected you.

So, what’s the impact on the market for jobs?

Of course it is a study of economics (supply and demand). Right now (and it’s likely to get worse) there are more people who want to work than there are good jobs available. This is a cyclical thing. Remember all the fun incentives being offered to job candidates back in the late 90′s?

So, as you may have figured out, I am big on analogies. They help me identify new ways to think about and approach the job search challenge. Today’s analogy is the real estate market. Like in the job market, today’s real estate market includes a lot more sellers than buyers. As a result, sellers of real estate are providing incentives and offering homes at better prices than they originally budgeted. Those who listed their homes based on historical prices were not getting offers. The only homes moving were those that were aggressively priced. Painful, but less painful than foreclosure or being forced into dual ownership during a relocation.

So, if this job market is company friendly and the real estate market is buyer friendly, what strategies and tactics are being successfully used to sell homes today? Yes, some are selling.

I looked around on the internet for 5 solid tips to sell your home in this economy. Here’s a good list from a site called “miamism“:

1. Understand exactly what a down market really IS.

2. Price it right from the very beginning.

3. Make sure your home shows like a model.

4. Find a listing agent who tells you the truth about the current market.

5. Make sure your home is getting comprehensive exposure on the internet.

Now let’s see how these tips can be re-worked for job search:

1. So what is the job market really like where you are and specifically what industries are struggling? When you are able to get a phone or in-person interview what can you learn about what the hiring manager is struggling through and how can you position yourself as the solution?

2. How do you price yourself right from the beginning? Should you tell companies what you make today? I recommend honesty because (1) an untruth will be found out pre or post offer and (2) you may look “too expensive to interview” if you try for too much of an increase from job A to job B. On the flip side, don’t give in. While you may eventually decide that you can take a pay cut to get back to work, it is not the place start. Prove your strength first and let your skill, experience and communication skills show off your value.

3. Every part of your personal brand needs to be polished and professionally prepared. Your cover letter (if necessary) and resume need to deliver your credentials in a way that make you appear as a desired guest – not an intruder. Model homes are clean, new and include modern upgrades – it’s easy to see yourself moving into one, right? How do YOU fit that description? How have you been upgraded and readied for show?

4. What is the “agent” in the job search world? Recruiters? Probably not in most cases. A career coach is likely a better example. A career coach can help you understand the market and, more importantly, can help you understand yourself. This can include preparing your personal brand (you) for interviews and perhaps providing some powerful introductions in your industry. If you have never worked with one, do me a favor. Call one and ask for 30 minutes to understand how they can help you. If you do, buy the coffee or lunch and say thank you.

5. Exposure. How do people know you are available? As soon as possible, make sure everyone you know is aware of your availability to begin a new role. Network with everyone – not just with recruiters and the spiders at Monster or Career Builder. Make sure your well-crafted profile is up on Linkedin and the other networking sites so people can find you. Google yourself regularly to gauge the quality of your exposure.

Now, not every analogy delivers a spine tingling new perspective, but maybe this one will at least give you a new way to think about your job search effort. I hope that this blog adds that kind of value each and every time I post. Let me know how I am doing, OK? Comment below or send me an e-mail.

Also, do you have a question about this blog or the ideas I’ve described? Ask! There’s a good chance I will answer… Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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