How to Involve Your Family in Your Job Search

How to Involve Your Family in Your Job Search How to Involve Your Family in Your Job Search As your family witnesses all of the blood, sweat, and tears that go into a job hunt, they’re bound to be curious how your efforts are paying off and if they might be able to help. Heres how to involve your family in this important chapter of your life with these ideas for age-appropriate involvement. How to Involve Your Family in Your Job Search Networking “One of the best reasons to involve your personal network is that they can help get the word out that youre looking for opportunities. You never know who their six degrees of Kevin Bacon is who may have the keys to your dream job,” says Victoria Sawtelle, community manager for Zety. Take your sister up on the offer to introduce you to her neighbor who she’s sure does something related to your industry. Ask your significant other to comb her LinkedIn connections for promising leads. Just be sure your partner, older children, and other relatives know what it is that you seek. “A common problem I see job seekers experiencing is that they work so hard to identify people who could help them in their search that when the inevitable question arises, ‘What are you looking for?,’ they aren’t ready with a clear answer,” says Corey McLellan, executive director of the Career and Connection Institute at Gordon College. “Take the time to be ready with that answer, and enlist your loved ones to amplify that message through their networks.” Preparing Is your mom an excellent proofreader or your cousin a top-notch negotiator? Put their skills to use when polishing a resume or trying to ask for a better compensation package. And your spouse may find it amusing to fire odd questions at you while doing the dishes in order to sharpen your ability to think on your feet and impress a hiring manager. Don’t overlook the potential value of teens to your search, too. They likely will be happy to shop with you for a new interview outfit (and give their honest opinion), and their ease with technology could help you navigate opportunities on social media or become comfortable using Skype for a video interview. Assisting on the Home Front Searching for a new position is like a job in and of itself, so don’t be surprised to experience difficulty getting everything done. Accept your brother’s offer to pick the kids up from school or your husband’s suggestion to order pizza after a long day. There’s also nothing wrong with (gasp) asking for help. Finding a suitable job benefits the whole family, so it’s perfectly reasonable to request that the kids make their own lunches or perform some yard work to free up time for you to search. You’ll make them feel like a valuable member of a team. And as an added plus, you’ll probably be much more pleasant to be around when you aren’t so stressed from tackling everything yourself. Lifting Spirits Finally, your family’s greatest gift can be their presence. They can get you to chill with them for a movie and popcorn after a frustrating day or tell you how awesome you look before a big interview. And even the smallest child can offer a hug when you need one the most. “Kids and partner/spouse are constant sources of encouragement,” says career consultant Mark Anthony Dyson, founder of The Voice of Job Seekers. “When your home is a refuge from a long and turbulent job search, its easier to recharge and refocus.  They are also a constant reminder of what is important.” Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- you’ll get a month free service and they’ll get 30% off!