There was a duck in the road - well technically it was a Canadian Goose. A few days ago, as I turned the corner about half a mile from a pond where the geese tend to gather and swim (for you Colorado Springsters - the corner of Chapel Hills and Jamboree across from the 21C Library), suddenly there were at least 20 Canadian Geese in the road and on the side of the road. 🚙

I was able to maneuver around them; however, I noticed that most cars did not slow down as they passed. It seemed there could be a very bad accident here. My youngest daughter was VERY concerned about the geese. We fretted for a few minutes, went up to the stoplight and I did a U turn to go back and figure out how to get the geese out of the road.

​On the way back we discovered 2 geese had crossed the street and now were on this side again in traffic. I immediately started honking my horn until they got up on the curb and onto the lawn in front of the library. I did another U turn and started honking my horn, pulled over onto the shoulder and honked until every single goose had stepped up onto the curb and into the grass, while cars swerved around me.

Once our mission was successful, we slowly pulled away. Now, I had no way of ensuring that they didn't go back into the street or try to cross again, however, I had played a part in letting them know that they should not walk in the street. This particular day, I had to have patience, I had to acknowledge my fears of what could happen, I had to think on my feet (so to speak) and I had to make a deliberate effort to communicate through action and then I stayed the course until the mission was complete. Every goose was on the grass, at least for now.

This effort is a lot like your job search - You see a challenge - getting the job.

You feel you've done all you can do, and then you realize - maybe you can do more.

Maybe you should do a U turn and go back and revisit the situation.

Can you do more?

For example,

✅Do you modify your resume for each job?
✅Do you modify and target your cover letter for each job?
✅Do you follow up with HR?
✅Do you check the company website for jobs not posted on job boards?
✅Do you identify key players in the organization and connect with them on LinkedIn?
✅Do you schedule Informational Interviews - if you don't know what those are click here: ✅Do you ask for letters of reference?
✅Do you prepare for virtual and in person interviews?
✅Do you utilize all the services your city/state has to assist with job preparation?
✅Do you understand your Value Proposition?
✅Do you have positive energy and enthusiasm?

The situation I came upon required me to acknowledge the situation (geese in the road), for you, think - job you applied for.

Make sure all your ducks are in a row (pun intended).

Is it time to circle back and see if there is more that can be done?

Until next time,

​Kara