Sarah Johnston's Briefcase "Briefs" Job Search Newsletter - Issue #23

January 07, 2022

In this issue: Future of work trends, CEOs worry about job insecurity, Gen-Z, performance evaluations, and having an abundance mindset.

Dear Reader:

This week marks the 15th anniversary of Nick Saban at 'Bama. I lived in Atlanta when he got the head coaching job back in '07. Football--as you know-- is everything in the South-- and people were buzzing. There is a running joke that 85% of Alabama fans never went there... and I think it's true. In that first week alone, I probably had seven people come up to me and say, "Hey. What time is it? Oh, I thought it was SABAN: Thirty".

Alabama has been the dominant, mostly unbeatable team since Saban took over. It's no wonder country singer Conner Smith's song "I hate Alabama" went viral in October. As much as I want my alma mater, the University of Georgia, to pull through this weekend, I respect what Saban has built.

The Alabama Dynasty-- six national championships-- is a result of hard work and consistency.

Bill Russell, a former Boston Celtics player, says, “Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions. There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved.”

As a Georgia fan, I cannot believe I am writing this, but job seekers can learn a thing or two from Nick Saban.

  • The man is consistent. Every day he wakes up and eats the same thing at the same time. Two Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies for breakfast and “iceberg lettuce and cherry tomatoes topped with turkey slices and fat-free honey Dijon dressing" for lunch. Job seekers who practice consistency and have a daily schedule are more likely to reach their goals faster than job seekers who do not have a routine. Career expert, Hannah Morgan, shared an example schedule and activities this week on LinkedIn.

  • Saban always takes control of the narrative. He is a master at handling the media. While it's unlikely that job seekers will have to hold a press conference with ESPN reporters, they should own their digital brands. Your LinkedIn page is your digital first impression. People will Google your name before they meet you in person. It's likely that the hiring manager will visit your social media pages before your interview. Own the narrative. Use your Linkedin About section to tell a first-person story that gives the reader a picture of the type of leader that you are. Share a story. Make it engaging and fun to read.

I'm going to borrow Saban's words and give you a "locker room pep talk" as you approach your job search this week:

"So I want everybody to think here for a second. How much does this game job search mean to you? ‘Cause it if means something to you, you can’t stand still. You understand? You play fast. You play strong. You go out there and dominate the man other candidates you’re playing against and you make his ass quit. That’s our trademark. That’s our M.O. as a team. That’s what people know us as.”

Bottom line: I'm rooting for you this month.

I hope that you enjoy this newsletter. It contains a diverse compilation of my favorite articles from the previous month. I truly hope that you find value and that it helps you with new ideas and perspectives for your job search.

Rooting for you,

Sarah

Ps. I'm sorry that you got hit with an accidental "test" email last month. It was a cringe moment for me as a small business owner, but I'm truly grateful to those of you who sent me kind emails and texts acknowledging the error.

New Year, New Trends

Korn Ferry--a global organizational management firm-- identified the 7 areas dominating the future of work trends in 2022. You might want to set aside an hour to digest this article-- it's a meaty read-- but also includes some thought-provoking personal assessment questions and actions.

Anyone looking for a new job in 2022 should pay attention to these job search trends and predictions from professionals in the know. Hannah Morgan, Sarah Johnston, and 20 other career professionals to weigh in.

C-Suite Insights

A new survey shows that 72% of chief executive officers are worried about losing their jobs in 2022 because of business disruptions, tracking closely with the 94% of bosses who say their corporate models need to be overhauled within three years.

Attracting top C-Suite talent is a challenge intensified by the pandemic. This article highlights that beyond pay, the key to winning the war on talent is succession planning and differentiating employee experience.

Managing the Next Generation

Jackie Cooper uncovers why colleagues across the Edelman network reinforced that clients were fascinated by, but also cautious of, the world of Gen Z. She tackles how not to be cancelled. How not to trigger an activist reaction. How not to get it wrong.

Gen Z started their careers amid a pandemic. Lauren Stiller Rikleen details how this presents unprecedented challenges for those just beginning their careers.

Relationship Management

One-on-one meetings with your manager present valuable career opportunities. Octavia Goredema explains how you can make sure you’re getting the most out of that time with your boss.

Excellent and practical article by HuffPost journalist Monica Torres.

Thriving in an uncertain future depends on having a clear, compelling vision for where the worker-employer relationship should go. Deloitte presents four potential futures - how the worker-employer relationship could develop and how organizations and workers might respond.

Searching for your next job

Research engineer, Phil Calcado walks readers through his journey to find a new job after leaving his position at Seat Geek. After receiving his green card and relinquishing the pressure of immigration restrictions, he took his time finding where to land next. He shares what he learned along the way.

Crucial leadership lesson from the Briefcase Coach: find ways to celebrate others' success with an abundance mindset.

Featured

What is that one standout defining moment that supercharged your career and helped you to move towards your current success? I was one of the 7 podcast guests that Sonal Bahl highlighted in her 2020 recap. I hope this episode helps you to think about that defining moment in your own career.

Can you do me a favor?

I’m on a mission to help job seekers land amazing jobs. Would you consider doing one of the following:

  • Forward this newsletter to your job searching friends or post about it on social media. This small act really helps!

  • Recommend me as a paid speaker for your company events on networking, job searching or leveraging LinkedIn

  • Recommend my services to high performers wanting to work one-on-one with an executive resume writer / or experienced interview coach

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