Sink or Swim
Rethinking Your Value in a Competitive Job Market
In this white-collar glut, many professionals are struggling to find work. And 2 million more job seekers may be added to the market as the federal government looks to curtail its payroll. How do you stay resilient, when it feels like you’re competing with the world to land a job?
Right now, job seekers are like fishing boats in a crowded sea, all throwing nets in the water to catch the same fish. As more boats crowd the harbor, it becomes more and more difficult to catch the best fish. Currently, ‘open to work’ banners are becoming more common on LinkedIn, and job searches are stretching on longer and longer, and it is beginning to feel like there are no fish in the sea at all, and that every boat is just casting nets into the water, only to bring them back up - empty.
This is not troublesome only to those seeking jobs. In this uncertain economy, many are thinking about what they will do if a layoff occurs, or if they otherwise lose employment. Hopefully, many of you are in the habit of submitting job applications occasionally, as a way of testing your market value.
In recent months, it is likely that those nets are coming back empty as well. When a few applications would have warranted phone calls from recruiters a few years ago, we are now seeing no calls, emails or follow-ups from applications submitted.
There is much practical advice to give here. First of all, think of the advice you’d give a fishing boat captain, trying to make a living by fishing in an overcrowded harbor – how are you going to stand out? Do you have to try to catch the same fish as everyone else? Is there a different harbor you could be fishing in?
But that’s tactical advice, and it’s not where we need to start. In this crowded job market, job seekers must learn to anchor their value to more than just their job title—because the best opportunities go to those who know how to navigate shifting tides.
What’s the answer?
Make AI your career coach!
“We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training” -Archilochus
In order to make success happen, you need great systems. And working with a career coach is a good way to ensure you are using a systematic approach to your career. But career coaches are expensive! And it can be difficult to arrange schedules to meet up with a coach. Is there an easier way?
What prompts can you use to get some of the benefits of a career coach using a free AI tool like Chat GPT or Copilot?
One of the main benefits of a career coach is access to a knowledgeable person who can act as your accountability partner. When you aren’t sure where to go next, a career coach can be a great sounding board or mentor to help you make decisions.
Use this PDF, or put the following in your notes app for easy tracking:
I’d like to take a personality assessment to help identify careers I may be interested in. What would you recommend?
After analysis of the careers suggested in this assessment, I’d like to pursue X career. Can you make recommendations of the most stable companies that employ this role?
Can you recommend certifications I can pursue that will increase my chances of breaking into this role?
Can you give me some questions I could use for an informational interview with someone already in this role?
Review my resume and help me identify transferrable skills that would show a manager or recruiter that the work I’ve done is applicable to X field.
Now — set reminders for yourself to check back in with your AI partner on this. Ask Chat GPT for an accountability plan, and stick to it, so that you can continue your progress.
