K.I.S.S. Your Job Search

Looking for a job? Are you familiar with the K.I.S.S. principle? Curious about its origin, I did what people do -- a Google search. It seems that the acronym K.I.S.S. was first coined by Clarence Leonard (Kelly) Johnson, a lead engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works. While K.I.S.S. is commonly translated as Keep It Simple Stupid, from what my research reveals, Mr. Johnson's translation was Keep It Simple and Stupid, quite a different meaning.

Are you applying Mr. Johnson's Keep It Simple and Stupid to your job search? If not, I would encourage you to do so. Take the word simple...here's one way of thinking about the word and its application to your job search:

Start by doing the right things first and in a sequence that will generate the greatest amount of success. Build your resume once you have determined career options, not before; go to an interview once you have figured out how to speak with confidence, clarity and credibility about you, your brand, your value -- not before. Network purposefully to get closer to your goal...not farther from it. Prepare to succeed.

Invest in you. As a job seeker, you are up against competition who has invested time, energy and money in hiring some of the best and the brightest in the career management field to gain a competitive advantage. Whether the help comes with a fee, or for free, enlist the guidance of a competent someone to help you...someone who knows more than you do at this juncture! Learn the "rules" of the job search game. Build a structure that is designed to help you succeed.

Make your job search your Number One priority. Conducting a job search is akin to building a new business -- it takes 24/7 commitment. You are constantly on...even when you're resting or sleeping, you're still thinking (or dreaming) of ways, ideas and strategies to make the business better, faster, more efficient. Treat your job search with the attention and respect it deserves. You can't build a vibrant business if you don't work at it; you can't land a job if you're not focused and looking. If you think spending 40 hours per week devoted to a job search is a bit over-the-top, think again. Ask your competition how many hours they're spending and don't be surprised to hear the committed seekers say 50, 60, 70 or more hours per week. They take the job search business very seriously.

People. Build a team to help you succeed! Intentionally invite seven - ten people to serve on your Job Search Board of Directors. Businesses have boards; you, too, can have a board. Consider how a Board of Directors might serve as a good sounding board, eyes and ears on your behalf and a cheerleading squad when you need it. Going solo today in looking for work is rough, lonely and tough. Call someone as soon as you read this blog post and invite them to join your Job Search Board. What's the worst that can happen? What's the best that can happen?

Love your new job which is to find a new way to earn a living. Whether you buy a business, build a business, or choose to pursue a more traditional path of being in a business, love what you're doing now. If you're a Boomer, perhaps you'll remember a song from the 70's with lyrics "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with." Right now, the job to love is the one you have before you...love it and you might stand out! Daily, I hear these words: I h--- looking for a job; I h--- networking; I h--- this; I h---that. (You know what the h--- stands for.) Instead, why not say to yourself "I am going to make myself enjoy this process...it isn't what I asked for...it isn't what I want...but this is where I am...and I am going to make the best of it!"

Expectations of Excellence. If you were still working at your most recent job, would you perform at peak or poor levels? Would you produce quality or "crappy" work? Would you bring an attitude of joy and gratitude to the work environment each day or would you spend your day discussing doom-and-gloom of the economy?

Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for teaching us to "Keep It Simple and Stupid." K.I.S.S. worked with spy planes and I am totally convinced it will work with a job search.

Comments

[twitter.com/crazedmom]

It is very true and should be used always when searching for jobs or new career paths.

[billiesucher]

Vicky, yes, sometimes the simplest, most basic things are overlooked in a job search. Thanks for your comment.

[camelia willam]

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regards