Mind over matter
In recent years, the field of neuroscience has come into its own. Advances in technology have given us greater insight into the brain’s functions, limitations and capacities. This got me thinking, how can we leverage this fledgling science in the world of job-hunting?
What ladder do I want to climb?
Few graduates know from an early age where their vocation lies, but the vast majority really have no idea what career they want to embark upon. Take some comfort in the first brain fact. Making decisions is an energy intensive activity. Combine this with thinking about something unknown and unfamiliar – and the brain will struggle and try to resist. The answer then is to get more familiar. Talk to parents, friends, go to careers advisors, fairs and get more comfortable with what is on offer.
Writing your CV
Not surprisingly, this is critical for your job search. Your CV needs to be concise, accurate, contain all the pertinent information about your education and work history. This requires creative thinking, problem solving and focus – activities that are governed by the prefrontal cortex and require extensive mental energy.
Organise yourself
Make sure you undertake tasks that use this part of the brain in the morning when you are fresh. Turn off the TV, mobile phone and email to ensure you are not distracted and maximise mental energy for creative thinking and decision making.
Who do you know?
Many studies have noted that a large proportion of jobs are found through networking. From a brain point of view this isn’t a surprise: we are more positively disposed to people who are like us and that we know. So use this brain fact. Use Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook to make your approach more personal and to locate people you would enjoy working for at companies that you are excited about. Reach out to friends and family (and their friends and family), talk to them about what you want to do and leverage any relationships they have.
Make it a habit
Today, getting a job is something that takes time – from thinking about what you want to do, building a CV, building a network, interviewing and landing a job. Build this activity into your daily routine. Make it a habit rather than leaving it to the last minute once you have graduated. Your brain will struggle and it will take huge energy. So break the task down, do something every day and make job hunting a habit. This way you will train your brain to take a small step each day and it will take less energy to land the job of your dreams! In recent years, the field of neuroscience has come into its own. Advances in technology have given us greater insight into the brain’s functions, limitations and capacities. This got me thinking, how can we leverage this fledgling science in the world of job-hunting?
What ladder do I want to climb?
Few graduates know from an early age where their vocation lies, but the vast majority really have no idea what career they want to embark upon. Take some comfort in the first brain fact. Making decisions is an energy intensive activity. Combine this with thinking about something unknown and unfamiliar – and the brain will struggle and try to resist. The answer then is to get more familiar. Talk to parents, friends, go to careers advisors, fairs and get more comfortable with what is on offer.
Writing your CV
Not surprisingly, this is critical for your job search. Your CV needs to be concise, accurate, contain all the pertinent information about your education and work history. This requires creative thinking, problem solving and focus – activities that are governed by the prefrontal cortex and require extensive mental energy.
Organise yourself
Make sure you undertake tasks that use this part of the brain in the morning when you are fresh. Turn off the TV, mobile phone and email to ensure you are not distracted and maximise mental energy for creative thinking and decision making.
Who do you know?
Many studies have noted that a large proportion of jobs are found through networking. From a brain point of view this isn’t a surprise: we are more positively disposed to people who are like us and that we know. So use this brain fact. Use Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook to make your approach more personal and to locate people you would enjoy working for at companies that you are excited about. Reach out to friends and family (and their friends and family), talk to them about what you want to do and leverage any relationships they have.
Make it a habit
Today, getting a job is something that takes time – from thinking about what you want to do, building a CV, building a network, interviewing and landing a job. Build this activity into your daily routine. Make it a habit rather than leaving it to the last minute once you have graduated. Your brain will struggle and it will take huge energy. So break the task down, do something every day and make job hunting a habit. This way you will train your brain to take a small step each day and it will take less energy to land the job of your dreams!
Careers Advice
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