Naomi’s Q&A Roundup

Written By Brenna Reagan
 

I want this newsletter to be a place where you receive practical advice. This week I’m answering four questions that I have been hearing more often in the past few months. 

I started NRG Consulting Group in 2018. Since then, our client list has grown in addition to the services we offer. That means I am hearing from a lot of you about how you can best set yourself up for landing your next role. 

Here are 4 questions that I have been receiving more recently from job seekers. I included some practical steps you can take if these questions are on your mind. 

A: You don’t need to use AI but if you are comfortable with it and it saves you time, then go for it. However, a few big caveats:

1) Do not just copy and paste text generated by AI for application questions or cover letters without editing first. 

--> We are seeing a trend where people leave in the text: “created by Chat GPT” in their application answers. 

--> Most AI generated text sounds the same so as more people are using it, and if you use a light touch in your edits, then it’s likely that your responses will sound the same as many others. You want to stand out (in a good way) so make sure you are reading through it to craft the text to still be from your perspective.


2) Do use it as a way to break through writers’ block or just to get you started and then make sure to edit it so it is clearly in your unique voice. 

A: More people are asking this question. If you have no idea what the secret job market is, don’t worry. This question is referring to organizations that don’t post the job far and wide (which is NRG’s typical approach). Some organizations are discouraged and overwhelmed by large numbers of applicants and as a result they aren’t posting it on all of the regular websites (e.g., LinkedIn or Idealist). 

What this means for you is that you shouldn’t just rely on LinkedIn as your one stop shop for all openings. LinkedIn is still your best source but it shouldn’t be your only source. I have said this before many times: tap into your networks. Once you start having conversations, you will likely hear about jobs you didn’t know about before. 

Hot tip: Use this list as a way to expand where you look for jobs. If you have recently found a cool new place to learn about openings, email me and tell me about it.

A: I know that a lot of talented people have recently been laid off. I also know that it’s scary to be one of those people.

However,  typically we launch a bunch of searches in early January. Clients typically reach out in early November about launching a January search. This year everyone was in shock in early November so search launches are getting pushed back. In other words, don’t worry if you haven’t seen your dream job come up on a job board yet. Jobs are coming, it just takes time for organizations to figure out their resistance strategy. 

I think a lot of people are ready to get to work and there are others who are still adjusting and assessing what’s next. I have heard from a lot of people in the movement that this time around, they want to focus on defense. They want to see what actions are taken by the Trump administration and then mobilize. So it’s less about anticipating what might happen and more about being in the moment and responding.

What this means for your job search is that we might not completely understand the impact and where talent is needed for a few more months. Keep your momentum going and find your community to keep you grounded whether that’s a job search buddy or a more formal job search cohort.

A: I hear you. Layoffs happen. Also, sometimes people take time off to take care of kids or because they need a sabbatical after an intense campaign cycle (or cycles). Or, perhaps you really want a job but have been looking for a while. How do you explain it?

The “how” really depends on the specifics of your situation and I recommend going to your job search buddy or a career coach to get into the nitty gritty. My practical advice to this question is: if your gap was recent and it was longer than one year, then you need to address it in some way.

If you have had a bunch of short contract jobs, list that on your resume and make it explicit. If you were laid off and there was a gap or if you chose to take a sabbatical, address it right away in an application answer, in your cover letter, or in the interview process. Make that a part of your story and connect it to why you are now applying for a role at this organization. 

Additionally, you likely learned something and developed a more resilient mindset from that experience so state how you have grown. Be explicit and concrete in your details. For more information, check out these tips to explain a misunderstood resume. 

If you have another burning question that you want to see addressed in another newsletter, let me know.

UPCOMING EVENTS:


This is not all! We are hiring for additional jobs and you can see all of our openings on the NRG website.

If you aren’t currently a member of the NRG Talent Network, consider joining. The questions take 3 minutes to complete and then we’ll send you job announcements when your criteria (salary, location, etc.) matches the position.

Let’s move,
Naomi


P.S.  If you’d like a thought partner to think through the best strategy for your search, sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you. 

If you find this newsletter helpful, forward it to your friends and help us build our network! If you received this from a friend, sign up here to receive future “Get Hired'' newsletters. 

 
Brenna Reagan
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