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The First Month of Not Having a Job
Hey there, Finessing Financiers! If you caught my last post, you'll know I recently made a move to Houston and am currently in-between jobs. So, what’s been filling my days? A mix of networking and, honestly, a whole lot of fun! This unexpected break has given me the chance to dive headfirst into my passions without the usual 9-to-5 hustle getting in the way. From mastering pickleball to taking swings at golf, I've been exploring new interests and uncovering skills I never knew I had time to develop. I like to think of this period as my personal "work sabbatical."
Diving into these new hobbies has reignited my love for marketing, reminding me of the power of storytelling. It’s easy to get caught up in the metrics and buzzwords when you’re constantly chasing performance goals in ad campaigns. But let me tell you, marketing is so much more than that—it’s about making a real impact and connecting with people on a deeper level. It’s a timely reminder to stay true to what drew me to this field in the first place.
Who’s In Your Corner?
As I’ve navigated through my first month here, networking has been front and center on my agenda. I’ve often found myself pondering a question that’s really struck a chord with me: “Who’s in my corner?” It’s a simple yet powerful question to ask, especially when you’re navigating challenging times. Take a moment to assess your “life” team—the people who are genuinely cheering you on and checking in on your well-being. Trust me, the impact of having a supportive life team can ripple through every aspect of your life, from your mental and emotional well-being to your financial success.
Now, let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t about cutting ties with friends, as some influencers might suggest. Quite the opposite, actually! It’s a reminder to lift up and support the people you care about, helping each other grow along the way. After all, success is sweeter when shared, don’t you think?
My Thoughts on Networking
One question that keeps popping up from my team lately is, “So, Jordan, when are you going to land a new job?”
Now, I could easily dive headfirst into a frenzy of job applications, sending resumes into the vast abyss of online job portals. But let’s be real—where’s the strategy in that? Instead, I’ve been channeling my energy into expanding my network here in my new city of Houston. I’ve been hitting up marketing events left and right, connecting with some truly amazing people in my industry and soaking up their stories and insights.
By immersing myself in these events, I’ve gained a valuable inside perspective on how my new network ticks. And guess what? It’s already starting to pay off! Thanks to some solid referrals from my new connections, I’ve made significant progress in my job search during the latter part of this month.
So, here’s the takeaway, folks: when it comes to job hunting, it’s all about building genuine relationships rather than just chasing numbers.
Cold Emails
Let’s talk about the current job market—it’s been a wild ride, hasn’t it? It’s like the world hit the pause button and now we’re all stuck in this weird limbo where nobody’s leaving their jobs, but nobody’s really hiring either. Sound familiar? It’s a story I keep hearing over and over again in my conversations with fellow job seekers.
But here’s the thing—when the going gets tough, the tough get creative. To stand out in this stagnant job market, you’ve got to be willing to go the extra mile. And let me tell you, cold emails have been an absolute game changer for me in this journey. Here’s my tried-and-true process:
Find the Hiring Manager on LinkedIn: Start by doing a little sleuthing to identify the person who’s likely to be your future boss.
Hunt Down the Email Address: Head over to the company’s website and do some digging to figure out the email address format they use.
Craft a Killer Intro Email: Once you’ve got your target’s name and a potential email address, craft a personalized email introducing yourself and highlighting what makes you the perfect fit for the role.
Now, don’t get discouraged if you hit a few email server roadblocks along the way—that’s all part of the game. Just keep tweaking those email variations and sending them out. Trust me, persistence pays off!
So, there you have it—a little peek into my strategy for navigating this challenging job market. Remember, sometimes you’ve got to create your own opportunities, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box and make those bold moves!
Conclusion
Let me paint you a picture of my journey so far: The first few weeks were a bit of a rollercoaster. I was sending out application after application, only to feel like they were disappearing into the black hole of the internet. Sound familiar? It was frustrating, to say the least.
But here’s where the plot twist comes in—I decided to pivot my strategy. Instead of spraying and praying with a flood of applications, I shifted my focus to crafting fewer, but much more personalized and targeted applications. And you know what? It’s made all the difference!
So, what’s next on this wild ride? I’m going to keep sharing my job application journey right here, so stay tuned for more insights, tips, and maybe even a few more success stories along the way.
If you’re finding value in my journey and want to join me on this ride, don’t forget to hit that share button and subscribe to my blog. Your support means the world to me and helps keep me motivated on this adventure.
Have a great week,
Jordan