Purple Unicorns Don’t Exist

by Angela Copeland | Oct 1, 2018 | Career Corner Column, Newsletter

Dear Hiring Manager,

You’re amazing. You’re the gatekeeper to new jobs, and the person who will later help us to get a promotion that will help our careers. But, we have to talk.

The last eighteen years have been great. Unemployment was high. You’ve been able to be picky. You could create a long wish list for your open jobs, and a perfect candidate would appear. They might even take less money than market value. You didn’t have to bother about relocation. They were so happy to have a job, they’d move themselves. And, forget about signing bonuses or extra vacation days. Those things were so 1999.

Landing a great candidate was easy. People were desperate to find work, and willing to put up with just about anything you could dish out. But, the time to rebalance things has come. After all the good years, we are back down to record low unemployment. It’s below four percent.

The good news is, people are feeling excited again. Jobs are coming open that haven’t been available in a while. Things are going well for everyone. You’re probably happy too. You’re able to hire again. You’ll be able to bring new folks into the organization. It will be a great time for fresh, new ideas!

But, there’s one little change since last time you were hiring. The market has shifted to the favor of the job seeker. This isn’t bad. It means that you’re going to find someone who really wants to work for you. They’re not going to join your organization just to escape their current role. They actually like you, and your open job.

This change comes with a catch. You’re going to have to cut back on that big wish list. I know; it’s hard. You want everything in one person. You want someone who understands sales and marketing and technology and operations. They need ten years of experience. They should’ve worked at an organization just like yours. And, they should have used all of the same software that you use.

This is where I have to be honest with you. This person does not exist. In the world of hiring, they’re called a Purple Unicorn (no kidding). As long as you keep searching for the unicorn, your jobs are going to remain unfilled. You are frustrating your company’s human resources team with your unrealistic requests. You’re offending great candidates. And, your jobs are staying open for over ninety days.

So, what’s the answer? It’s time to cut your wish list of twenty requirements back to six. It’s time to look for fit. And, it’s time to look for the person who’s willing to work hard and has the right attitude. That’s the person you want on your team. Not just someone who can check a bunch of boxes. The sooner you can understand this, the faster you will find the right people.

Sincerely,

Angela

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

Getting a Job is a Job

by Angela Copeland | Sep 26, 2018 | Career Corner Column, Newsletter

It’s official. It’s less than sixty days until Thanksgiving. Although you shouldn’t stop your job search when the turkey has been served, hiring will slow down as the holidays heat up. It’s just a fact of life. If you’ve been thinking of finding a new job, this is the time.

But, finding a job isn’t just about wanting one. When you’re passively thinking about getting a job, you can stand to wait a few years until one falls into your lap. But, if you’re hoping to find one now, being passive isn’t going to cut it. You’re going to have to work for it the old fashioned way. You’re going to have to put in time – lots of time.

You may be thinking, “But, Angela, I’m a busy person! I have a full-time job. I have a family. I have commitments! I only have so much time in a week.” I hear you. I get it. I empathize with your situation more than you can imagine. But, at the end of the day, you have to decide. Do you want to find a new job this year or not? It’s up to you.

If it’s important to you, you’re going to find the time. You may have to cut back a little on other activities. You may have to take vacation days to work on your search. You may have to sleep a little less. I know. None of these are fun options. But, they’re the only way. Someone shared with me once, “Look at your schedule and you’ll find the things you value. You make time for those things.”

If you truly want to find a new job, you’re going to have to carve time out. You need time to update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn. You need time to network with your old contacts. You need time to apply for jobs, and to perfect your elevator pitch and your personal brand. And, you need time to interview for jobs.

You can’t outsource this work. Your job search is just that: yours. No matter how high up the food chain you are at work, you’re still in charge of your job search. You’ve got to do the writing, the calling, and the looking.

Remember, once you get into a company’s interview process, it can go fast or slow. It’s hard to predict. It could take just a few days, or it could take months. Putting in the time now is the only way to get there. You may wonder how much time I’m talking about. Try to put in at least two hours each day.

Looking for a new job isn’t going to be fast. It’s not going to be easy. Frankly, it’s probably going to be a painful process. But, it is absolutely worth it to take a risk and put in the time to find something that you truly love.

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach