Searching for a new position or career is the time to lean in. If you lean back, i.e., wait for the perfect job or the right time to make the change, you could unnecessarily limit your options, and opportunities could be lost.
Sit at the Table
First, as you search for a new position, be an active participant rather than a spectator. In Lean In, Ms. Sandberg observed that women physically and emotionally separated themselves from men in a team meeting by sitting in chairs off to the side of the room rather than at the table, which was composed mostly of men. Those women held themselves back by choosing to watch from the sidelines.[ii] Similarly, actively participate in your job search by engaging in informational meetings and networking with people in the field where you seek employment. Just talking to people is networking: getting out and socializing, meeting new people, and expanding your social groups is networking. You could meet people for coffee or lunch and/or attend a conference in the area of your expertise or interests. When you network with new and established colleagues, you may learn about jobs that are available but not publicly posted.
Unfortunately, in this difficult economic climate, job opportunities are not going to magically come to you. You need to seek them out and leverage your experience and contacts. As Ms. Sandberg stated, “[c]areer progression often depends upon taking risks and advocating for oneself…”[iii] Be ambitious in your job search rather than tentative and discouraged.
Create and/or Join a Lean In Circle
Second, you should look for or create a group of peers with similar career interests and goals. Ms. Sandberg advocates forming a Lean In Circle. She states, “[w]e often achieve more in groups than we do as individuals.[iv]” Lean In Circles put this idea into practice. She describes them as “small groups that meet regularly to share and learn together – like a book club focused on helping members achieve their goals.[v]” Accordingly, men and women should create or join a Lean In Circle to further their job search. A Lean In Circle could be made up of 4-10 peers who are committed to Lean In together. A Lean In Circle will allow you to: (1) practice interviewing skills; (2) network; (3) learn about working in a range of work environments, such as private vs. public sector; small, medium, or large law firms; and educational and nonprofit institutions. This would be a powerful tool to help you focus your job search on the type of position that fits your needs, interests, and values. It is very valuable for both the interviewer and the interviewee to practice answering interview questions about their education, experience, and qualifications during a mock interview. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to handle potentially challenging questions and situations, such as blanking on a good response during an interview. This forum is ideal for discussing the dos and don’ts of interviewing and for sharing and learning from others’ interview experiences.
Overall, Lean In Circles can help accelerate your job search. Good luck on your career path! If you would like more information on this topic, please visit susanbsilvermanconsulting.com and/or contact me at susan@susanbsilvermanconsulting.com.
[i] Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Print. (10)
[ii] Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Print. (28)
[iii] Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Print. (15)
[iv] “Circles – Lean In.” Lean In Circles Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2013.
[v] Id.
The article titled “Lean In to Your Job Search” was published in the Spring 2013 issue of the Chicago Bar Association “YLS Careers Update” newsletter.
