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Patience Aside, Attitude and Action Get the Job Done

Do you sense success just around the corner?  Are you waiting for your “big chance”?  Yes, you should visualize success, take time to reflect on how far you’ve come or how well you have persevered, but at the end of the day it’s all about your attitude going forward and taking deliberate action. 

Here are 3 key ways to formulate next steps with a smile. 

Past performance is a good indicator of future behavior.  So, take stock of what has worked well and what hasn’t.  Note things that helped you move forward and which things held you back.  Recognize little successes along the way, no matter how small.  Celebrate small victories.  Choose the top 5 activities that provided the greatest value and satisfaction.  Commit to doing more of these things, more frequently.

Consider what your current day-to-day needs are and how well you are meeting them.  What is the one thing that would make the greatest difference?  Map out a plan to make it happen in the simplest way and in the shortest amount of time.  Assess your current attitude.  If positive, keep it up!  If negative, assess why and seek out appropriate and positive ways to give yourself a greater sense of control of your day-to-day realities.  

Schedule Future Milestones:

The best way to ensure the future turns out the way you want it to is to define it and create it through effort, attitude…  and a workable timetable. 

Need to network more?  Look for any and all networking events and related opportunities that are happening in your area over the next 90 days and schedule in as many as possible.  Put yourself in spaces where you can meet new people, be exposed to new ideas, and test how you present yourself “in the moment”. 

Thinking about going back to school?  Schedule appointments with Admissions at 2-3 schools of choice and start learning more.  Then visit with financial aid about possible funding sources. 

Angling for that next promotion?  Map out a brief outline of what you’d like to accomplish by when and talk to your boss about how they can actively support your goals.  Enlist their help in crafting an action plan and timeline for success.  If you encounter resistance or lack of support, start shopping around your resume. 

Need a new job?  Start by learning more about companies and recruiters in your area.  Reach out to at least 25 people per week and start a dialogue within 24 hours with everyone that circles back with you.  If you don’t get any responses in the first 2 weeks, your message or style needs to be adjusted. 

With any of your goals, set a date by which if you don’t achieve base results, you’ll enlist professional help such as career coaching or registering for a seminar.

Make it happen! 

-Lisa

Connect with Lisa Mauri Thomas in LinkedIN.  Visit the Change Your Job, Change Your Life website for more information on resume writing and related services.

What To Do When You Get “No Response”

More and more job seekers are reporting success in landing a new position.  That’s great!  But what do you do if that does not describe YOUR situation yet?

Level of Engagement: 

Look first to the level of engagement you foster with your application activities.  If all you do is apply online for a generically posted job with a company you don’t know anything about – don’t be surprised if you never hear anything further.  If you haven’t invested much in them; chances are they won’t invest much in you, either. You might get an automated response, as soon as you hit “Submit” or shortly thereafter by email.  While that IS a response, you can do better! 

Re-think Your Approach:

The number one thing you can do when applying for jobs is to send a targeted, customized resume and cover letter (wait – don’t stop there!) based on intelligence gathered first, which includes building and maintaining internal connections with the company in question.  Instead of saying, “But I don’t know anyone there”, start by looking at companies where you DO already know someone.  Talk to 10 people you know who are employed and ask about the companies they work for.  Gain insider information.  Ask about company culture, how they are organized, strategic objectives, management style, and actual job titles they use to describe positions that align with your talents.  Do not worry about whether or not those companies are currently hiring.  The point is, they WILL be, sooner or later.  Start building those connections now. 

Reality Check:

It is true; the “perfect” posting is often far from perfect.  There may be 400 applicants for it.  It may be so detailed that only one person in a million would be perfectly qualified.  Many HR departments avoid phone calls like the plague.  Others have no actual experience with the jobseeker-end of their own applicant tracking systems thus having no idea how un-user-friendly their processes really are.  The hiring manager (a.k.a. subject matter expert for the position in question) may not be involved in the initial screening process.  Posted positions are not always well-budgeted for, or there is restructuring afoot, or there is already an internal candidate all picked and primed. 

Lesson to be learned: the best way to know if your resume writing and related application activities are worth the time and effort is to gather more information FIRST.  Hiring is at the discretion of the company.  You need to meet their needs first before they will meet yours.  And there is always someone truly ready, willing, and able to meet those needs and can demonstrate it without a moment’s hesitation.  Is that “someone” YOU?    

 Last note: this process takes time.  How much time?  As much time as it takes.  Keep your hope, energy and faith in yourself alive.  You can do this! 

 -Lisa

Connect with Lisa Mauri Thomas in LinkedIN.  Visit the Change Your Job, Change Your Life website for more information on resume writing and related services.

Resume Builder, JobsInsider, and Portfolio Display 

There is no such thing as a “magic bullet” in job search.  It takes daily dedication, determination and a great attitude while networking outside of your comfort zone.  That said, there are new tools that help make smaller tasks a bit easier.  I’ve written and spoken about the benefits of LinkedIn for a couple of years now and the tool continues to evolve and thrive in the job search, business development, networking and staffing arenas.

Check out 3 LinkedIn Tools and Apps:

1. Resume Builder:  Start with this link:  http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/.  For this app to work most effectively, you need to have a fairly complete profile as it automatically pulls your profile information into a resume display.  You can then toggle between 11 template styles including Classic, Executive, Business, Law and others.  Then, Outline Mode allows you to rearrange or delete categories. 

Advantages: The builder is quick and easy to use.  It converts to .PDF which means it is portable and can be used, sent and uploaded outside of LinkedIn.  I do like that it formats your profile information in a resume style which can give you a fresh perspective on how your content may be coming across to viewers.  That said, I believe the cons outweigh the pros on this one. 

Drawbacks:  To edit the resume content you have to edit your actual LinkedIn profile which creates a mirror image of the two.  In other words, there’s no way to have a resume that isn’t basically an exact replica of your full LinkedIn profile page.  Also, the template types do not make good use of available space and organizing principles.  And overall, it doesn’t eliminate the typical problems associated with resume templates.  More importantly, you cannot customize your LinkedIn Resume for specific positions of interest.  For greater versatility, you should also attach your existing Word and .PDF resumes with the Box.net application instead.  Biggest drawback of all:  feedback I’ve solicited directly from recruiters in my network regarding this tool have been quite poor.     

2. JobsInsider:  This is a Toolbar app.  You can find it easily by Googling “LinkedIn JobsInsider” or click here.  It works with MS Outlook, Internet Explorer and Firefox.  Essentially, it “links” at a glance who is in your network that works at a company featured in a job posting on Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Dice and others. 

Looking up and connecting with company insiders through LinkedIn has been advisable for years now.  This widget provides a shortcut. Once the toolbar is installed, visit one of the job search sites listed, pull up a posting of interest, and look for the JobsInsider window that opens alongside the posting. 

It will list how many of your LinkedIn connections exist at that company with direct links to the company’s profile as well as the individual profiles of those who work there.  This feature was already available for jobs posted within LinkedIn; now, it’s linked to external postings as well. 

3. Creative Portfolio Display:  For those requiring portfolios or simply to “go the extra mile” to showcase your talents visually, the Portfolio Display application comes in handy.  Similar to the SlideShare app, signup is free and easy with email opt-in verification.  You create a custom URL for your new Behance portfolio and build your new profile.  Current drop down choices are specific to creative fields such as Production Artists, Digital Imaging professionals and others. 

These 3 apps can be explored further to either take your job search to a new level, to jog creative ideas of your own and to jumpstart your networking efforts.  None of them are a “job search cure-all”.  For job search success you still need daily dedication to networking, company research, and active outreach through prescribed application channels.   And follow up, always follow up.  You can do this.  Good luck!

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us

It All Boils Down to 3 Simple Truths

Interviews might make you nervous.  They require you to go “on stage” and “sell” yourself to an individual or panel of people, directly, and in a short amount of time. 

There are dozens of tips, maybe hundreds, that can be found online and through other sources to help you fully prepare for your next interview.  Analyzing such tips over the years, I have found that everything boils down to 3 key elements.  Preparation is the best defense against nervousness and stage fright.

Master these 3 interview prep pointers:

1. Be Ready, Willing and Able:  Anyone can Google a list of standard interview questions.  But go beyond surface-level items and understand the foundations of each.  Doing so will yield an interesting discovery.  Just about every interview question you might be asked boils down to one essential question:  are you ready, willing and able to do the job?  Let’s look at these components individually:

Ready:  This relates to the here and now questions around how well you meet required and desired qualifications, how soon you can start your new role, and how prepared you are to be evaluated around performance.

Willing:  These are the questions that revolve around teamwork, working independently, work ethic, following directions, and going the extra mile.

Able:  Ability is showcased within “Tell me about a time when you…” type questions in addition to your ability to solve problems, exercise independent judgment, and create value in the workplace.  Articulate the skills and talents you will bring to the proverbial table within the first 30-60-90 days.      

Prove and Align:  Be ready with clear examples of the impact you have had in previous roles.  Qualify and quantify past and ongoing achievements.  You can’t just say, “Yes, I can do XYZ”.  Prove it by saying, “Yes, I have done XYZ on an average of 12 times per day for 2 straight years and I knew I was doing an excellent job in this area because…”. 

Beyond that, look for clues about what is most important to the company and the hiring manager.  Clues can be found on the posting, in LinkedIn, the company website’s About Us page, insider information, press releases and more.  Explore, investigate and analyze; then, align the information that is important to them and true for you.  These essential points guide your responses to questions asked of you during the interview.

Prep Your Station:  For phone interviews, prep your interview space whether it’s your desk, the dining room table or the kitchen counter.  Fully assess your area to identify and eliminate distractions and potential problems.  Lay out your materials and prep notes, including the resume version you submitted that led to this interview.  Practice responding to all potential questions (and continually referencing examples that you are ready, willing and able) within 1-2 minutes, maximum.

For in-person interviews, prep your “mobile station” by assembling all items you need to wear and bring.  Choose appropriate and professional clothing from head to toe.  Prepare a folder or notebook with a pen or pencil.  Include a print out of the job description, extra copies of your resume for you and everyone else present plus a list of at least 5 prepared questions to have at the ready when they ask at the end, “What questions do you have for us at this time?” and a smile.  If appropriate, bring references, portfolio, transcripts, certifications – anything that will further support your claims that you are READY, WILLING and ABLE.

These 3 “big picture” items will help you to successfully prepare for your next interview.  You can do this.  Good luck!

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us

8 traits for career success in an uncertain world

The biggest lesson learned over the past 3 years by millions of people is this:  Don’t be caught so unprepared again!  If you experienced job loss, reduced pay, ridiculously long hours and tremendous on-the-job stress, a micro-manager for a boss, inability to land a new job, a shaken sense of confidence and self-worth, financial ruin, loss of your home, or simply too many pressures to cope with at once – you don’t ever want to find yourself in such a position again.

While not everyone dreams of becoming a business owner, there are specific traits or attributes found in successful entrepreneurs that anyone can develop and strengthen within themselves to help buffer against the unexpected.

Here are 8 traits to foster within yourself in an uncertain world:

Drive:  Find something to love about your work situation.  Instead of focusing on what isn’t ideal, direct your efforts and emotions toward new and tougher goals.  The goal can be anything you want – the point is to want it and to go for it.  Small successes now will make a big difference the next time the chips are down.  Your activities today will help fight off future apathy.  Raise the bar.  This develops self-assurance.

Perseverance:  By strengthening your drive and operating outside of your normal comfort zone, you nurture your inner ability to “stick to it” especially when desired results are possible but not easily within reach. While good things may come to those who wait, no one said you had to wait by resting on your laurels.  Get busy with a variety of mini-goals that are aimed at achieving the larger ones such as financial independence, geographic mobility, or proof of a life well-lived.  This also develops patience.

Self-awareness:  You can’t run away from the pain – whatever that pain happens to be.  Your experiences are your reality no matter what emotions or feelings you’ve chosen to attach to them.  Take time each day, perhaps with your morning cup of coffee or while walking the dog, to reflect upon what makes you tick, where you are strong, and where you consider yourself sadly lacking.  First, be honest – then, be forgiving.  You are who you are.  Know yourself; then develop drive and perseverance through setting goals for needed self-improvement, including your attitude or approach toward the world at large.  This fosters graciousness.

Experience:  You have strong, credible experience even when it seems as if no one wants it.  How well you use it and market it will make all the difference long-term.  Be innovative about how you apply all the wonderful experience you already possess.  Which further experiences would act as a multiplier?  Volunteer your talents to practice applying them in new ways.  Do something radically different for 8-10 hours per week and discover how your experience rises up, transforms and expresses itself.  This fosters greater self-confidence.

Intelligence:  Be smart about things.  Find and confirm the facts. Critically assess and question your sources versus thinking something sounds good just because it’s news to you, is said by someone you like, or easily supports your existing world view.  Savvy business owners must make sound decisions to grow and expand into new markets with products and services that truly fit existing and foreseeable needs and wants.   Be prepared to hear, digest and honestly reflect upon things you don’t like.  Intelligently assess if what you hear has merit and requires change or if it can be disregarded because you’ve looked at it critically, thoroughly and know the difference.  Recognize when things just don’t add up.  This fosters speed of intelligence gathering and decisiveness.        

Knowledge:  Economic cycles are just that – cycles.  Prosperous times will come again, as will recessions and depressions.  While there’s value in living today as if it were your last, chances are good that it isn’t and you need to build and strengthen your resources and strategic allies, every day.  Manage your resources and save your money; be ready to act on new opportunities.  You already know that knowledge is power.  However, much of what claims to be “news” is emphatically not.  Don’t mistake opinion shows for factual analysis.  Are you drawn to Fox News or the BBC?  Do you choose CNN Headline News or Bloomberg?  Do you take the time to read The Atlantic or just People?  No matter your preferences, know there are far better sources out there to help you gauge what is really going on and to understand ALL angles of the issues.  This fosters awareness and your ability to effectively navigate the larger landscape. 

Innovation:  You can develop an “intrapreneurial” spirit by creating new products, services, and approaches within your current workplace.  Whether or not you’ll be recognized or rewarded for it, just show you CAN be innovative.  Be creative in how you showcase and present your ideas, how you sell yourself, how you solicit buy-in by understanding the players and forces at work.  Take risks, dismiss your regrets, and if 1, 20, or 100 things don’t work out, try something else.  This helps you to develop self-reliance.

Courage:  Have the courage to succeed and to fail.  Develop the strength to boldly move forward or strategically retreat.  Recognize your personal power while acknowledging you cannot do it all, alone.  Dismiss your regrets.  Stand up and voice what you know and think; then be willing to listen to feedback that may be painful to hear.  Have the courage to balance a forceful nature with humility, shyness with clarity of thought, and traditional ways with evolving realities.  Know your weakness and manage around them by surrounding yourself with the people and resources that will strengthen your position.  Avoid wishful thinking or relying strictly on hope or faith that tomorrow will be better or just as wonderful as today.  Have the courage to make it happen.  This fosters self-worth.

You CAN protect yourself and improve your position with an entrepreneurial mindset.  Develop and sustain the inner strength to create the life and work you want on your own terms.  You can be strong and credible and marketable, for the long haul and at any age.  You can ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes again.  We all can.  Can you imagine if we did so, globally?       

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us

Get Your Resume and Job Search Strategy in Shape

Is your resume in shape?  Can you demonstrate that you are truly a “best fit”?   It is essential that you look your best on paper and in person; from your first application to your final round interview.  Show prospective employers and recruiters that your talents align with their mission and vision. 

Your resume drives first impressions and proves whether or not you are ready, willing and able to do the job.  To strengthen your resume, embrace the critical P’s: polish, “parsability”, presence, personality, professionalism and persuasiveness.  If you’re not sure how, find out!

Does Your Resume:

1.  Appeal to your audience?  Your resume should be visually appealing to live people AND work well within the software that reads and parses your resume FIRST so use keywords specific to the posting, especially the actual job title you are seeking.  Eliminate fancy fonts, hard line breaks, graphics and tables as automated systems don’t read these well and may reject your resume outright.  

2.  Have star presence?  Do you stand out amongst hundreds of applicants?  With so much competition in the job market these days, it does not pay to promote yourself with a generic, boring, run-of-the mill template.  Breathe life into your resume and let your talent and personality shine through.  You are more than just a warm body – prove it! 

3.  Convey a crisp, clean and concise appearance?  This goes far beyond proofreading for typos.  Demonstrate your marketability.  Assure prospective employers that you will represent their company professionally, at all times, right from the very start.      

4.  Demonstrate the impact you’ve had in previous roles?  Recognize that simply listing what you can do is no substitute for showcasing how well you can do it.  Quantify your accomplishments.  Your resume is an exercise in persuasive argument.  Don’t let a poor attitude, faulty assumptions, desperation or apathy leave their mark on your resume.

Your Job Search Strategy:

Ensure your materials are truly excellent in all respects.  But don’t stop there!  Your resume (and cover letter) directly support your overall job search strategy.  Do NOT be generic – it will not pay off for you.  If your materials are not easy to customize, your document strategy is already blown.  How quickly, easily, and effectively you can customize your application materials will directly impact your overall job search strategy. 

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit the Change Your Job, Change Your Life website at: http://changeyourjob.us 

The “usual tactics” just won’t cut it

Here’s a quick snapshot at the start of 2011:  The U.S. unemployment rate moved to 9.8% in November 2010, though  numbers vary widely from state-to-state. 

North Dakota’s unemployment rate is a mere 3.8%; Virginia, a modest 6.8%; Nevada and Puerto Rico top out at 14.3% and  15.8%, respectively. Look up your state’s numbers.  That’s the macro level.  On a micro level, I’m hearing from more and more individuals that they have landed jobs, with increasing frequency, in the past 30 days alone.  Just from my subscriber base, I heard successful reports from 2-3 people per day over the past 2 weeks, all across the U.S., including those who had been looking for more than 1 year.  Common denominator:  they networked like crazy, had a sound strategy, and never gave up.

Go Beyond the Basics: 

Following basic advice will yield basic returns.  That simple statement speaks volumes, especially in this ultra-competitive and saturated job market.  Your local, government-sponsored workforce center probably isn’t helping your resume, especially if the prevailing advice only applies to the in-house job board they promote above all else.  Resume templates should be avoided.  Stay away from the default messages in LinkedIn, whether for connection invites, recommendation requests, etc.  As always, rise above!

Stop Chasing Job Leads – Too Basic:

Conventional advice tells you to find job openings that match your skills and qualifications.  These days, the emphasis needs to be upon the companies themselves, not posted openings.  For example, if you are looking for work in higher education, create a list of all the colleges and universities in your target area.  Learn all you can about each one and build your network alliances within each.  Looking for a job in finance?  Build your list of financial institutions.  No matter what industry you want to work in, first build your list of companies within that industry and your geographic location.

Build Allies, Not Contacts – The New Basic:   

It is not about your number of contacts, especially if you are not maintaining a productive dialogue with a large percentage of them.  Pull up your list of contacts and objectively evaluate each one.  Which ones are currently employed with direct access to the hiring managers within their organization?  Which ones are hiring managers themselves?  Which ones previously worked at a company on your list of desired targets and can give you the inside scoop in terms of company culture, hiring process, and divisional structure?  Once you have them identified, see my tips on Working Your Network.  

Basically… Find Out, Never Assume:   

Check your assumptions at the door.  These could be assumptions about your resume, job search strategy, opportunities that do or don’t exist, your age, your industry, your certifications… you name it!  Question your sources of information.  What qualifications do the people have who are providing you with advice? Are they providing you with real, usable knowledge?  Or, are they simply fueling your assumptions in faulty ways?  One useful starting point is the latest edition of the 2008-2018 Employment Outlook produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Previous employment projections were based on 2006-2016 horizon and had not taken current economic conditions into consideration. 

Kick off 2011 armed with the very best information and tactics.  Keep your hope, faith and ENERGY alive.  You can do this!

-Lisa

Want more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us 

5 Key Facts to Consider for Your Job Search

One of things I love about LinkedIn is the ability to capture publicly-visible recommendations to directly support one’s objectives.  Whether you are a job seeker, a business developer, salesperson or similar, such recommendations can go a long way to support your aims.

Recommendations go beyond traditional references.  They validate your skill sets and professional attributes.  The rank and role of the person recommending you can add strength to a clear and articulate endorsement of your talents and accomplishments.  Recommendations are easy to view in LinkedIn, directly supporting the content and context of your professional profile.  By their very design, they are easy to verify as the person recommending you can be contacted directly, and their credentials readily assessed.

Recommendations are not naturally good or pure, however.  Drawbacks exist and should be further explored.  Here are 5 key facts to consider: 

1. Recruiters do NOT evaluate on recommendations alone:

There’s a job search myth floating around that recruiters can somehow use number of recommendations as a search parameter in LinkedIn and quickly “rule out” those with too few or no recommendations.  This is patently UNtrue.  LinkedIn does not have such a feature nor would recruiters use it as they have been quick to share with me this past week.            

2. Gratuitous recommendations should be avoided:
Recruiters are wary of profiles that contain recommendations when the candidate has provided them in return for those same individuals.  This is called “trading”.  It’s a bit like “paying” for recommendations, or “scratching each others’ backs” and are motivated more out of simply getting recommendations than obtaining a true endorsement.  Not to say there aren’t genuine cases of mutual appreciation – I’ve been in this position myself – but it should be the exception versus the norm.  In some cases, you and another have worked together closely for a reasonable period of time.  If you are both able to convey the other person’s professional strengths through long-term observation and partnership, such qualities will shine through.

3.  Not all recommendations are created equal:
WHO recommends you makes a BIG difference.  It shouldn’t be “just anyone”, for starters.  Just because a person “knows” you, doesn’t mean they can truly provide an honest assessment of your accomplishments on the job or testify that you possess the most important attributes associated with your role and in concrete ways.  Recommendations should directly support your career objectives to emphasize not only the scope of your abilities but also the professional impact you’ve demonstrated along the way.     
 
4.  Recommendations require substance not fluff:
Your resume needs to contain clear, concise, evidence-based information; so do your recommendations.  WHAT is said about you is paramount; the information must be deemed worthy of consideration.  This goes back to WHO recommends you.  Someone has to have known you for some time, or seen your talents in action and can testify to the impact you’ve had or the outcomes you’ve achieved.  Fluffy or gratuitous recommendations, or ones procured in an underhanded or unethical manner, will show themselves for what they are.

5. It is possible to have too many recommendations:

This is a tough one.  Most people assume not having any is worse than having too many.  For job seekers, 2-3 well-written, thoughtful, and evidence-based commendations from colleagues, clients, and supervisors will go a long way.  For business developers and business owners, such recommendations serve as referrals based on the quality of products or services received, which can significantly stretch one’s advertising budget.  In some cases, it can be more of a social testimonial to accumulated good deeds, as in the case of Steven Burda, who has amassed nearly 3000 recommendations in LinkedIn.  I’ve had the opportunity to speak with him personally and at length about the value of those recommendations…  stay tuned for details as it warrants a stand-alone article.

Summary:

Recommendations should be treated with the utmost respect. They should enhance your image as a job seeker, and reinforce your brand as a business owner  or sales representative. When requesting recommendations, don’t use the default message; customize it so that they clearly understand your goal. It does not mean that you should dictate content, word-for-word, but do indicate that there are specific aspects of your work history or service offerings of which you would appreciate their concrete and tacit support.    

Overall, think about why you want recommendations, the purpose they will serve, how they will be perceived, how genuine and concrete they are, how they directly support your aims, and the caliber of the person writing them.  Recommendations should be well-written and as typo-free as possible, otherwise credibility is diminished.  If you have received several, consider keeping only the BEST ones.  Good luck! 

-Lisa

Want more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us 

Job Search Efforts Don’t Need to Halt During the Holidays

Job searching in December may feel counter-intuitive.  Everyone’s in a holiday mood, making travel plans, and consumed with social activities over those of a more professional nature.

Take heart!  While you may readily find reasons to halt your job search progress in December, here are 4 reasons to press ahead and stay on course.

1. Enjoy Less Competition:

Let your competition take a break; not you.  Take advantage of the fact that there are fewer applicants submitting resumes during the holidays.  Get ahead of your competition by researching companies more fully than the average job seeker.  Stay organized; keep excellent notes.            

2. Make Use of Quieter Office Hours:
Use this time to outreach more via phone, LinkedIn, email, in person, etc to request a few minutes of someone’s time in order to learn more about the company in question, their current and foreseeable needs, and to find out how to position yourself as a top candidate in the New Year.  Reach out to peer-level contacts in your industry, too, not just Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and HR personnel.  Already applied?  Use this time to follow up on previously submitted applications.

3.  Strengthen Your Resources:
Use down time to investigate new sources of company information, find contact information for recruiters, explore new approaches, and brush up on your interviewing skills.  Find ways to manage your job search time and organize your contacts more effectively in the New Year.  Check out our Free Stuff page for new ideas.    
 
4.  Maintain Momentum:
Tasks that are habitual are easier to maintain.  But when you cease such activities for awhile, even for a few days, getting back up to speed can require enormous effort.  If nothing else, use this time to build strong job search habits that will launch you in to the New Year.  Your goal: get a new job.  To reach your goal, keep your efforts and your attitude in top form!

Caveat:

One final piece of advice:  if you currently feel overwhelmed, disillusioned, and discouraged about lack of results so far, go ahead and take a brief break from your job search.  But set a date and have a “to do” list ready to go.  Use this time to re-focus and re-energize with a New Year’s Resolution to come back strong with improved materials and a more effective search and outreach strategy.  You can do this!

-Lisa

Want more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us 

Go on a Job Search Field Trip

Looking for a new job close to home?  Go on a job search field trip.  It’s easy!  Get in your car or use your favorite bus or train route.  Live in the city?  Walk. 

Your goal is to create a list of 25+ companies within 5 miles of home.  Live in a rural area?  You may need to expand your search area.  This also works well if relocating to a new area.  Be on the scene!   

Start Visual not Virtual:

Simply by changing your approach, you will start to see things in a new light.  Grab a pen and paper (or voice recorder) and take notes as you make a circuit around town.  Look for clues – any clues – including type of business, the number of cars in the parking lot, how busy they appear to be, if they serve direct clientele, whether they dominate the street or barely stand out, and more.  This approach can yield tremendous job search data especially if you are seeking a role that any company needs to fill at some point:  accounting, HR, quality control, distribution, management, event planning, marketing, maintenance, administrative support and more.          

Play Detective:
Once you are home again, research each company on your list.  Find their websites.  Search for their company profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Get a feel for their size, revenue, company culture and more.  Note how they accept resumes or applications, but do not worry about whether or not they have any currently posted job openings as this can change every week and many openings are never posted.  Search LinkedIn and other social media sites for individuals who work at these companies.  Continue to gather clues that will help you assess “best fit”, for the prospective companies and for you.
 
Make Contact:
Call the company and ask for the name and correct spelling of their Recruiter, HR Director or most senior person who handles the hiring needs for a specific area or department of interest.  Note the company mailing address and any email addresses you find.  Ask your friends, family and others in your network what they know about these companies and if they know anyone who works there.  Ask for an introduction.  Send an invite requesting to join a current employee’s network – but don’t use the default message – be sure to tell them why so they can begin to relate to you in return. 

Request a brief 10 minute, informational interview so you can learn even more about the company, what they do, and how you might fit into their organization to help them meet their needs, now or in the future. 

Follow up:

Network, network, network!  Send a thank you card as a follow-up to all interactions.  Supply them with your targeted and customized resume and cover letter, upon request. You can do this – good luck!

-Lisa

Want more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us