Work Smarter, Not Harder: Use Your Natural Abilities to Fuel Your Job Search
Do you cringe at the thought of networking? Feel overwhelmed as you try to keep track of your job search activities? Jump around from one job board to another and another … only to realize you haven’t acted on any of the opportunities you’ve seen?
Rethink, Realign, and Recharge Your Job Search for Success
If you’re feeling stressed or exhausted by the job search process, maybe it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your approach. You could be forcing yourself to work against your natural abilities and style preferences. No wonder you’re tired—and not getting results!
Here’s a friendly reminder: There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for finding a job.
Some job search strategies will be more effective for you than others. After taking the Highlands Ability Battery, you now have a better understanding of how your brain is naturally wired. You get why some things come more easily to you than others. You recognize and appreciate your strengths, acknowledging that not everything is in your natural wheelhouse.
When you apply these insights to your job search, you’re bound to feel more comfortable, confident and in control of the process.
What happens when you’re tasked with a job search activity that doesn’t align with your natural abilities? Don’t panic—or try to avoid it! Approach them with intention:
Acknowledge that some tasks will require more time, effort and energy.
Implement external tools to bridge gaps and support areas where you need assistance.
Seek opportunities to develop skills in areas that challenge you.
By stretching beyond your natural comfort zone, you’ll discover opportunities to grow. Embrace them as part of your personal and professional development.
Read on to see how you can draw upon your strongest abilities and find ways to supplement your weaker ones. While some of the examples will be more relevant to you than others, you can still use them as a springboard for ideas you can customize based on your own HAB scores.
Learn About Industries, Careers, Jobs and Companies—Your Way
This blog post wraps up my three-part series exploring how the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) can help you successfully navigate early career transitions and turning points.
Missed the first two posts? You can catch up here:
From the get-go, looking for a job involves learning and retaining new information. By now, you’ve likely explored—and learned about—your best-fit careers. But you’ll have to dig a little deeper to fine-tune your focus and apply for the best-fit jobs with the best-fit employers. Staying on top of industry trends and company news will also inform your decisions and help you shine in interviews.
Rely on your strongest learning channels (included in the Specialized Abilities section of your profile) to maximize your efficiency!
High Verbal Memory? You’re likely to retain materials you read—online company profiles, job descriptions, industry news and more.
Low Tonal Memory? When you listen to auditory sources such as podcasts or webinars, taking good notes will help you retain what you hear. Following along with transcripts when available will also help.
From networking through interviewing, you’ll be meeting a lot of new people. How can you remember all these new names?
High Rhythm Memory? Use mnemonic devices to remember names. You can try attaching rhymes to their names, like “Dylan, just chillin’” or “Matt, the cool cat.” (Use this technique in your head, please … saying them out loud is not advised!)
Strong Observation? Associate names with unique visual details to aid recall. Zero in on one tiny detail about the person, whether their toothy smile, a freckle in the middle of their forehead, interesting tattoo … whatever stands out as unique. Filing a mental picture paired with their name will help you easily retrieve it from your memory bank the next time you see them.
High Concept Organization? Mentally map out organizational structures to track interview contacts. Creating a mental organizational chart will help you keep track of the people you meet during a first, second or subsequent interview at the same company.
Consider where you fall along the Generalist/Specialist continuum.
Strong Specialist? Deep research will come naturally but be cautious of over-researching and procrastinating. Taking a deep dive into your career research, doing your due diligence on potential employers and keeping up with industry news and best practices will all serve you well as you plan for, launch or refine your early career.
It’ll come in handy at just about every phase of your job search, from exploration through interviewing and evaluating job offers. But only to a certain point.
Avoid going too far down the rabbit hole. Recognize when it’s time to stop researching and start acting. The thirst for deep knowledge can be a common challenge for Specialists, and it can lead to prolonged procrastination!
Manage Your Time, Energy and Focus
Looking for a job is a job in and of itself … and you’re the boss. You get to call the shots when it comes to when, where and how to work on your job search. It’s also up to you to make sure you’re motivated, stay on task, and get things done. Structure your approach to suit your natural tendencies. Some examples:
Introverts aren’t necessarily quiet and shy. They do like people! It’s just that certain types and amounts of interaction can feel draining.
If you’re naturally introverted, be mindful of how you schedule job search activities that involve social interaction. Avoid overwhelming yourself by spacing out networking events, interviews, or meetings. If you have an interview, plan for quiet, recharging time before and after to stay energized and focused.
Grow and nurture your network virtually through LinkedIn, your alumni association or industry groups. Meeting people 1:1 is likely to feel more natural for you. Create opportunities for “purposeful interaction” to get to know a new connection: Arrange a 30-minute Zoom call to engage in a meaningful conversation for personal connection. Better yet, if they’re local, meet for coffee.
In-person networking events centered around a speaker or other structured events will probably appeal to you more than open-agenda large meet-and-greets. But don’t limit yourself! Introverts can survive—and even enjoy—unstructured events in small doses.
Extroverts aren’t necessarily loud and the life of the party. But they are energized by being around others.
Whether you’re looking for your first job out of college or taking time off to navigate an early career pivot, plugging away at a job search can get lonely and feel isolating. If you thrive on social interaction, staying connected isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for maintaining your energy and motivation.
Consider conducting some of your job search activities at a coffee shop or coworking space. Join networking groups that meet in person or online. Set aside time to hang out with friends and family to recharge your batteries.
For you, networking events will be a lot of fun! Take advantage of your ability to initiate and sustain interactions with others. Introverts will be especially grateful if you introduce yourself and include them in your conversation with others.
High Rhythm Memory indicates a strong need for physical movement. Some people can sit for hours on end, while others get fidgety after 15 minutes. If you have high Rhythm Memory, chances are, you can relate to the latter.
Get up and move around at regular intervals throughout the day. Take a walk around the block at lunchtime. Start or end your day with your favorite workout. Take breaks and incorporate movement into your routine to maintain focus, concentration and overall well-being.
Concept Organization reflects your ability to organize internally, to mentally structure and manage information. Accordingly, if you have low Concept Organization, you’ll want to find tools to help you stay organized throughout your job search.
Which tools are the best? The ones you’ll use consistently. Here are a few ideas: Track your job search activities on a spreadsheet or in your career journal. Use a calendar, digital or paper, that you’ll remember to check. Create and clearly label your digital materials, including your resume and variations of your cover letters and e-notes. Set reminders on your phone to send a thank you note and follow up after an interview. Finding a system that works for you will help keep your job search on track.
Visual Proficiency: Pay Attention to Accuracy and Speed
You might be a perfect candidate for a job, but if you submit a resume with typos, you immediately reduce your chances of being invited for an interview. Misspell a company’s name on a cover letter? Ouch. That one mistake could remove you from the running.
From following application instructions to editing your resume and cover letter, accuracy matters. Your written materials need to be both polished and professional. Reading your materials out loud is one of the best ways to check your work.
Low Visual Accuracy and High Visual Speed? Slow down and double-check details. Have someone proofread your materials before submission. If you have low Visual Accuracy, you might want to ask a trusted friend or family member to review your materials before you submit them to a potential employer.
·High Visual Accuracy and Low Visual Speed? Speed matters, too. In a highly competitive job market, some positions fill quickly! Watch yourself if you have low Visual Speed. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity by spending too much time endlessly proofing and editing your materials in a quest for perfection (it doesn’t exist!)—or by sending it to too many people for review.
Striking a balance between accuracy and speed is key.
Start with Natural Abilities—but Don’t Stop There!
Your job search isn’t just about finding any job—it’s about finding the right fit. As you navigate the early stages of your career—whether you’re launching your career, pivoting to a new path, or refining your direction—it’s essential to view your natural abilities within a broader context.
Every job search is unique, influenced by financial realities, personal obligations, and mindset. Success is highly personal, so make sure you define it on your terms. If immediate employment is your priority, your strategy will differ from that of someone exploring a long-term career shift.
But remember—your abilities are just one piece of the puzzle. The Highlands Whole Person Model emphasizes seven other key factors—like interests, values, goals, and career stage—that shape your career decisions and priorities.
One of the most valuable tools in your journey? A Personal Vision Statement. By integrating your strengths, aspirations, and life goals, you create a clear roadmap for your future. When your job search aligns with the bigger picture of how you want to live, you’re already moving toward lasting success.
Stay focused, celebrate small wins and—most importantly—stay committed to your vision. You’ve got this!
Work smarter, not harder … during your job search and beyond!
Understanding and applying your natural abilities empowers you to create a path to professional success and satisfaction.