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By Barry Zweibel
One of the more frustrating aspects of job hunting is that there tends to be very little feedback when you first contact potential employers. Dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes, cover letters, and emails go unacknowledged. Silence really can be deafening -- and defeating -- if you let it get to you.
That's why Pivot Points™ are so important. Pivot Points are those flashes of insight when we suddenly know what to do because we know it worked in the past -- when we were on the opposite side of the exact same (or strikingly similar) issue. Here are two examples of Pivot Points and the insights they enable:
- Situation #1 -- You find yourself reluctant, and unmotivated, to network.
- Pivot Point -- You remember that you've always liked when people call you to network and often wish that even more people would call you for advice and assistance.
- Insight: Realizing that the people you want to network with may feel the same way, you're suddenly able to pick up the phone, talk with someone new, and make a new connection that makes you both feel good.
- Situation #2 -- You find yourself increasingly unsure as to what it takes to be a compelling interviewee.
- Pivot Point -- You remember back when you were a hiring manager and what you used to look for in applicants.
- Insight -- Realizing that you're doing very little of that, you're suddenly able to show up for interviews and be far more engaging than ever before.
The P.I.V.O.T. Model
The trick is to recognize your Pivot Points in the moment, instead of after-the-fact or, worse, not at all. But don't worry if it's a bit difficult at first. Fortunately, life has a tendency of testing us before we learn the lesson, and continuing to test us until we learn the lesson. As such, even if you only recognize your Pivot Points in the rear-view mirror, chances are good that you'll be tested on them again in the not-too-distant future. And, good news! You'll be ready to show what you know.
If you're looking for something a little more proactive, though, one way to pivot sooner is by regularly using the P.I.V.O.T. Model:
- P -- Look for "Parallel"
Scenarios -- Whenever you're unsure, or uneasy, recall as many examples as you can of a similar situation where you just happened to be "on the other side."
- I -- Glean the
Insights Available -- Let past experiences inform you as to what makes sense in your current situation. Ask yourself: What worked then? What didn't work? What did you want to happen next that didn't? What did you not want to happen next that did? Keep looking until the flash of an insight hits you, and be confident that it will.
- V -- Increase your
Velocity -- Oftentimes we use being stuck as a justification for inaction. Avoid this temptation by not only moving forward, but by simplifying your thoughts and accelerating your actions.
- O --
Obliterate any Self-limiting Beliefs -- Show yourself what you can do. Don't second-guess. Don't think it's too difficult. Let your Best Self take charge and do what you now know needs to be done with care and confidence -- and a sparkle in your eye.
- T -- Embrace the
Testing -- Actively accept the challenge of life's tendency to test and retest. Routinely assess what you've learned. And if you're not sure what you've learned, P.I.V.O.T. again (and again) until you are.
Pivot Points in Action
So what about this issue of not getting feedback from your initial query letters? What are some of the potential Pivot Points to consider? Here are five of them to get you started:
- What do you know from your experience as a hiring manager that made you stop in your tracks and say, "Now this is someone I want to interview"?
- What makes you interested enough in something you read to take out your highlighter or write something in the margin, or dog-ear the page?
- Who's been able to grab your attention even when you're busy and how do they'd do it?
- What did that salesperson ask to get you to open up and be so forthcoming even though you were planning to play things much closer to the vest?
- What motivates you to respond to an unsolicited email or voicemail, answer an inquiry, or accept a meeting with someone you don't already know?
Take a few moments now and consider your answers. And, if nothing "pops" for you, identify five or six more potential Pivot Points from your own experiences.
With practice, Pivot Points are likely to provide some stellar ideas for you and your job search. So don't get discouraged by the lack of responses to date. Instead, practice your P.I.V.O.T. and find the wealth of feedback that's already there inside you.
Barry Zweibel, CEC, PCC, is a Certified Executive Coach, a Professional Certified Life Coach, and president of
GottaGettaCoach!,
Incorporated . He specializes in providing 1-on-1 executive coaching and leadership consulting to seasoned and newly promoted leaders.
© 2005, The Ladders
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