Keep your Options open - What is a Valid Option?

What consists of a "true" option in your job search efforts?  It does not mean "every job lead" that has been reported to me.  It does not mean an application for which there has been no response for 6 months.  Perhaps a good functional definition of an option is "a job lead for which you have had positive interaction with someone who has influence with the hiring decision maker or an employee of the company within the last 90 days." 

Jobs you are pursuing that do not meet this definition ... or a similar definition you create, should not be maintained as options.  Close them or take action to rejuvenate them. 

How do we rejuvenate jobs that have aged out? here are some ideas

• Reach out to the hiring manager by email, a letter, a phone call, etc. indicating your continued interest and asking for an update on the status of the job.
• Connect to a different employee in the company, establish a relationship and ask him or her to hand-carry your resume into HR.
• Watch for a representative of the company at your networking events and seek a 20 minute coffee to discuss their business and employment opportunities.
• Find another job position which would be a fit for you and submit a new application to the company.

Any one of these steps can re-activate the opportunity to be hired.  Also, realize that the employment environment has changed significantly in the past 12 months.  Nashville unemployment is at a new low, which means businesses are having trouble filling positions or in retaining existing employees  who are being hired away to competing jobs.  If you have some options that have "timed out" ... re-pitch yourself to their hiring managers.  

One more word of caution/encouragement.  We have a heavenly Father who has a plan for our career.  Just because unemployment is low, the job He is preparing for you may not quite be ready for you.  Or, perhaps you still have one or two key relationships that need to be established before your Sabbatical ends.  Keep up the networking and the 20 minute coffees.  Keep honing your skills and developing your marketing brief.  Your next assignment will be delivered at the perfect time!

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