The JOB SEARCH! Get into a HABIT and become more EFFECTIVE!

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

You have probably heard the term “Practice Makes Perfect”! That term is commonly associated with athletes and musicians. They practice to get perfect, to become #1 in their profession and continue to practice to stay there. They get in and stay in the HABIT of practicing.

Regarding a JOB SEARCH, I don’t know anyone that makes it a profession. I do know many that are in job search mode though. The ones with the greatest success get in the HABIT of doing the things that need to be done and continue to do them until they achieve their objective, getting a new position. They get into a habit. They practice to become highly effective in their quest to attain their objective.

This does not imply getting into the habit of doing just anything, the wrong things, or, working without a plan. Everyone should know that PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE. With all the elements in place that constitute a good job search plan and being in the habit of exercising that plan, you will be much more effective during the whole process and get a better result.

Let’s recall the fundamental steps in the JOB SEARCH process:

1. Determine you objective

2. Develop your resume, cover letter and presentation(s)

3. Post your resume

4. Conduct search, create search wizard

5. Research your targets

6. Contact your targets

7. Develop your network

Dr. Stephen R. Covey wrote a book entitled “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. The book was about habits and when practiced, how they make people more effective. Although written 15 years ago, its message still applies to this day. Getting into a habit mode when conducting a job search, to have a plan and do the things that need to be done, will make you more effective in the quest for your next position.

HABIT 1 is about being PROACTIVE

As in any number of situations in your life where you are or should be proactive, being reactive puts you in second place, or, first loser. You design your personal life, as well as your professional life. Every situation provides you with choices and you chose how to deal with them. Taking responsibility through proactivity will get you to do different things to get different results when you are not getting the results you are looking for. You embrace the positive and expel the negative. You chose to control your environment and not allow yourself to be affected by it. You will have greater power when taking control of your environment. Taking control is doing something about it. To influence you speak in the positive I can, will, do. You focus your efforts on what you can control choosing to be in a Sphere of Influence instead of a Center of Concern. Being proactive you will determine the areas to focus on that will keep you in the Sphere of Influence and on track to a more effective result in your job search. You chose your behavior, be PROACTIVE! Something to remember; there are people who make things happen, people who want things to happen and people who wondered what happened! Which one are you?

HABIT 2 is about the END IN MIND (the GOAL)

Being all you can be is “what” you should want to be. What and “where” you want to be should be part of your goal. When victories come at the expense of things far more valuable, are they truly victories or, steps on the stairway to the ultimate prize? If you are not headed up the stairs you want to be on, to where you want to be, this is less a victory than a climb to dissatisfaction. Visualize what you want and where you want to be 5, 10 or 20 years out. Have a mental image to create a physical image. Visualize whom you are, what you want and how you are going to get there. Think about how you will win friends, influence people and overpower the people and circumstances that will shape your future. Develop a personal mission statement, as companies develop business mission statements, to be your goals and to help you keep your eye on the prize. Keep the END IN MIND. Re-affirm who you are, your goals, focus on those goals and elevate yourself up the stairway to success. If you conceive it, and you believe it, you will achieve it.

HABIT 3 is about putting FIRST THINGS FIRST (the PRIORITIES)

Time management is very helpful in putting first things first, or setting and working the priorities. It will also help you with having a balanced existence, a quality of life balance. Being proactive and having goals come together here. It’s about life management, your purpose, your values, your roles and your priorities. Priorities are the things that are most important to you and when putting first things first you are organizing and managing your time according to what’s most important to you. Practicing the A, B, C time management methodology will help in the organization of your priorities. Put FIRST THINGS FIRST, set your priorities, focus on them and you will be more effective in getting to your goal.

HABIT 4 is about THINKING WIN-WIN

Negotiation results in both parties winning. There are concessions from both sides, whatever they may be, and the result is an agreement, WIN-WIN! The human interaction and collaboration is a win for both parties. It is not an I win, you lose, if you win, I lose scenario. That ends up being a zero-sum game. WIN-WIN is cooperative, having the frame of mind and heart that seeks mutual benefit, solutions that are mutually beneficial and satisfying. Approaching life’s issues with a WIN-WIN attitude displays vital character traits:

1. INTEGRITY: sticking with feelings, values and commitments

2. MATURITY: expression of ideas, feelings with courage and conviction and consideration for ideas and

    feelings of others

3. MENTALITY: the belief of abundance, plenty to go around

Many think you’re nice or you’re tough, either or. With WIN-WIN, both either and or are required balance between courage and consideration. You need to be empathic as well as confident. You need to be considerate and sensitive as well as brave. To achieve balance is the essence of maturity and fundamental to WIN-WIN. This is all about you and life around you. It’s about your INTEGRITY, MATURITY and your MENTALITY. It’s about you attaining balance with the attitude to succeed, to WIN-WIN.

HABIT 5 is about SEEKING FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD

Communication is the most important skill we have. If you don’t communicate well, you will have trouble being understood. Listening is an integral part of the communication process. If you are not a good listener, you will have trouble understanding. You need to understand if you expect to be understood. Many seek first to be understood and get their point across. When it comes to listening, many pretend to listen selectively hearing only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focusing on the words being said while missing the meaning entirely. They listen while preparing a reply, comment or answer in their mind before they fully understand what is being said. Referencing what is heard through their “life experience” they measure it up and consequently decide prematurely how to respond or answer a question before the other person finishes communicating. The cart starts getting ahead of the horse here. Your chances of giving an intelligent response or answer after listening poorly are slim. Because of how we process communication we tend to respond by:

1. EVALUATING: we judge and then either agree or disagree

2. PROBING: we ask questions from our own frame of reference

3. ADVISING: we give counsel, advice and solutions to problems

4. INTERPRETING: we analyze others motives and behaviors based on our own experiences

Sometimes “life experience” responses are appropriate, such as, when specifically asked for help from your point of view. Regardless of how you communicate, you should understand that if you are a poor listener you probably are a less than stellar communicator. Don’t let the cart get before the horse, listen to UNDERSTAND and communicate to be UNDERSTOOD.

HABIT 6 is about SYNERGY

Synergy is achieved through collaboration, putting heads together, and, interaction. This is the habit of creative cooperation, teamwork with open mindedness and finding new solutions to old problems. It’s the process where people bring all their personal experience and expertise together for the team to learn from. They discover things they are less likely to discover on their own. It is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When people interact they’re open to each other’s influence and begin to gain new insight. Capability to invent new approaches increases exponentially because of difference. Valuing difference drives synergy. Many mistake uniformity for unity and sameness for oneness. Differences should be seen as strengths and not weaknesses. Ever talk to someone where something is said that helps you solve a problem, complete a project, make something more efficient? SYNERGIZE yourself and collaborate your way to success putting heads together; network.

HABIT 7 is about SHARPENING THE SAW

You are your greatest asset. You should be sharpening your skills and preserving and enhancing that asset, YOU! Invest in yourself and hone yourself through self-improvement to make a better you. If you are not investing in yourself, you are doing yourself an injustice. Through self-improvement you are developing a balanced self-renewal program, a reinvention of a better you. Key elements in self are:

1. PHYSICAL: eating, exercising, rest

2. SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: having social and meaningful relations with others

3. MENTAL: learning, reading, writing and teaching

4. SPIRTUAL: spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through mediation, music, art, prayer and

    service

You create growth and change in your life. Working the habits will increase your capacity to produce and handle challenges around you. Through renewal, your body will remain strong. Your mind will be sharp, your emotions healthy, the spirit sensitive and your person generous. Feeling good about one’s self doesn’t just happen. You need to take time for renewing yourself to live a balanced life. Renew yourself through relaxation, practice the spiritual and mental elements and know what your well being requires. Experience the vibrancy and energy. Practice and experience the benefits of good health and exercise. Revitalize yourself to peace and harmony. Expel apathy before your get up and go has got up and gone. Watch for that new opportunity for renewal each day and recharge yourself. It takes desire, knowledge and skill. That can only come from YOU!

So, when traversing your way through your job search and working the fundamentals of:

1. Determine you objective

2. Develop your resume, cover letter and presentation(s)

3. Post your resume

4. Conduct search, create search wizard

5. Research your targets

6. Contact your targets

7. Develop your network

You should be developing and incorporating:

HABIT 1; be PROACTIVE

HABIT 2; keep the END IN MIND (the GOAL)

HABIT 3: put FIRST THINGS FIRST (the PRIORITIES)

HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN

HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD

HABIT 6: SYNERGIZE

HABIT 7: SHARPEN THE SAW

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Dr. Stephen R. Covey

The definition of INSANITY is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. If you keep getting the same results with what you are doing and you are looking for a different result, then you need to change the way or what you are doing. Are you in the HABIT or just wandering around in your JOB SEARCH? Only you know the truth. Recognize, initiate and implement the change you need to change things. Get in the habit of doing what it takes to affect change. Embrace it; you will be glad you did.

Remember, the more dedicated and committed to habit formulation when conducting a JOB SEARCH, as well as other aspects of your life, the greater your chances for better and more successful outcomes.

To view more on the elements of a JOB SEARCH, the practical application of those elements, the how to and the tips, view the other BLOG’s on all topics JOB SEARCH at

http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com/

You won’t be disappointed.

If you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s, become a FOLLOWER and BOOKMARK this site as a favorite to COME BACK often.

ALSO, TELL A FRIEND! I encourage you to do so.

I welcome comment and if you wish to have a specific subject addressed let me know in the comments section or email me at

rsc@infoexchangegroup.com

Now go out, get in the HABIT and SEIZE the DAY!

Job Searching During the Holidays

Author Byline: Peggy McKee

Author Website: http://www.career-confidential.com/

True or False? Companies stop hiring during November and December.

FALSE.

One of the top myths of job searching is that no one hires during the holidays—but that’s just not true. But many job seekers take a break from the search during the holidays because they believe it (and because they get distracted by family plans and holiday parties).

The truth is, the end of the year is a great time to land a job.

I know as a recruiter, we don’t see any drop in business during the holidays, and January is always one of our busiest times of year—and the groundwork was often laid in December.

Why are the holidays a great opportunity to get the job?

1. You can take advantage of the fact that other candidates have temporarily dropped out of the race—because they believe the myth. That means there’s less competition for you, and a much greater chance to stand out.

2. Companies don’t stop needing great employees in November and December. You never know when they’re going to have an opening, and often, they have their own end-of-year deadlines to meet to fill a spot. Don’t miss it.

3. Networking opportunities are plentiful during the holidays—holiday parties, professional networking events, and all kinds of social occasions. Even though you should tread lightly and make a point of gathering information, you should definitely let people know you’re looking. (Here's a link to a quick video - what to say when you're unemployed.) It’s also a great idea to send out a funny or entertaining Christmas letter that mentions your search and what you’re looking for. You never know where your next job lead might come from.

Look at the holiday season as a unique opportunity for your job search. Goodwill and friendly feelings often abound at this time of year. Absorb some of it, project some of your own, and stay motivated. Your persistence will eventually pay off.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

What Is The Top Recruiter Pet Peeve (And How Can You Avoid It)?

Author Byline: Cathy Eng, CARW, Owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc.

Author Website:  http://www.resumerocketeer.com/

"What makes you want to work at our company?"

"What was a challenge you were met with and how did you approach it?"

"Do you have any questions you would like to ask me?"

Lack of preparation to answer these deliberate interview questions is among the top corporate recruiter pet peeves. There are very specific reasons interviewers ask you these questions and how you answer them says a lot about you. Weak or incomplete answers send a negative message and leave a poor first impression.

Here are some tips to ensure you are prepared for your interview:

- Research the company and its products or services. When you are asked, “What makes you want to work

  here?” you can bet they really just want to know if you researched the company. If possible, gain at least a

  high level knowledge of its mission and vision, financials, and business practices.

- Research the position. Have a clear understanding of what the job entails before you interview for it. If you

  don’t, the hiring manager will soon realize that you either don’t know, don’t care, or aren’t qualified.

- Always have questions prepared for the interviewer. At the end of the interview, ask them for more details

  about the position and the company. If you can’t think of any real questions, ask a great fallback question

  that will bring attention back to the interviewer: “What makes you enjoy working here?”

- Practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more! Find a friend or family member who has a couple

  free hours to help you. Dress in interview attire and find quiet place out of your comfort zone (e.g. library

  study room) to meet. You will think and answer questions a lot differently there than sitting on your couch

  in your pajamas! Give the person a list of interview questions and conduct a mock interview. Have the

  person give you feedback and run through them again.

Other essentials for interview preparation:

- Groom and dress appropriately. Although it may seem superficial, you can bet your appearance sends a

  strong message about your personality, confidence level, and how seriously you take the interview.

- Plan to arrive a little early. When I interviewed for my first job out of college, I drove to the office the day

  before my interview to be sure I knew long it took to get there! Know your drive time (consider rush hour)

  and plan to be there 5-10 minutes early.

- Bring the requested materials. Many companies mail out packets before interviewing candidates with

  employment applications and other forms, so it is imperative that you bring this completed paperwork in

  addition to requested work samples, college transcripts, references, recommendation letters, etc.

Being prepared for a job interview takes more than dressing up and arriving on time. You must be ready to provide thoughtful, smart answers to the strategic line of questioning you will receive. That takes thoughtful research, anticipation, and a lot of practice. Don’t get caught unprepared! 

Article courtesy of the http://www.recruitingblogswap.com a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for http://www.collegerecruiter.com/internship/ students looking for internships http://www.collegerecruiter.com/jobs/ graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

JOB SEARCH! The JOB DESCRIPTION! Is it what it appears to be?

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

There is no short answer to that question. And, considering that most JOB DESCRIPTIONS are poorly written, how could there be? If a JOB DESCRIPTION is well written though, then the most appropriate answer would be “almost always”.

There is a process in most companies as to how a job is created and a JOB DESCRIPTION generated for that job. It starts with a Hiring Manager having a need as well as a budget to hire someone. From that point, the request goes to Human Resources (HR) to determine if it is a justified need. If the Hiring Manager does a good job in justifying the need, HR will buy off on the request and approve a requisition for it.

The Hiring Manager gets word of the approval as well as a request for the JOB DESCRIPTION they will use for the “requisition”. Here is where things usually get convoluted. Convoluted, because, almost all Hiring Managers go back to their JOB DESCRIPTION database and retrieve the last JOB DESCRIPTION they used when they last filled a “like” position. That JOB DESCRIPTION could be months or years old. That is not necessarily bad, however, the Hiring Manager usually does not update nor make the necessary changes to bring it up to date. HR accepts what it is given to work with because they assume the Hiring Manager knows best what they want, are looking for and would have updated the JOB DESCRIPTION. So what you end up with is less than the best of a JOB DESCRIPTION going forward to attract the best talent for the job. “How’s that working for them, usually not so good”.

If the position is turned over to an internal recruiter, they take what they get and run with it. Seldom is the time taken by the Recruiter to sit down with the Hiring Manager to discuss all the nuances of the position to assist in finding the best of the best in talent. In the recruiter’s defense, sometimes if they were to try, hiring managers don’t always make themselves available to discuss it. The mindset usually is “you have the JOB DESCRIPTION and should know what we are looking for”. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a comment similar to that. The assumption is good recruiters know what they are doing and don’t need anything more than what was given to them to get the job done. So, we have a dated JOB DESCRIPTION, no discussion with the hiring manager and are expected to find the GURU that is expected to fill the position.

So, in the interest of getting the position filled recruiters move on into the hiring process with less than the best of information. What a concept. It is more like a recipe for settling. “Settling” is settling for what you get instead of going after what you want! Settling in this kind of scenario is when so much time goes by, anxiety levels go up with the desire to fill the position and the best candidates are yet to be found. What happens is best of the rest is hired instead of the best of the best.

Smart and good recruiters, whether they are corporate or outside recruiters asked to assist on the search, always redo the JOB DESCRIPTION to what it should be after discussing it with the Hiring Manager. If they can’t talk with the Hiring Manager they do their best to edit the JOB DESCRIPTION to bring it up to date, be the best that it can be and attract the right talent.

Follow along as I discuss the “usual” target areas that come under the editing pen.

JOB TITLE:

Sometimes the job title is more specific to the company and not easily recognizable to the industry. I have seen Product Managers do Project Manager work. The company may have the position titled that way. If you were looking for a Project Manager position would you key word it with Product Manager? Not likely. Unless Project Management was used in the body of the JOB DESCRIPTION the position would not likely come up in your search. To preempt an inappropriate JOB TITLE for a position you want, are looking for and are qualified for, you need to “think outside the box”. If the JOB TITLE were right on, no problem! Chances are more likely it’s not, so, think of all the possibilities of the JOB TITLE you could/would fit and use them as key words in your search.

SALARY:

Companies usually use a range when listing compensation. Sometimes they refer to benefits as competitive. If there is a relocation package, it’s usually stated as relocation available. None of these references tell you how much. There is some reasoning behind it. First of all, lets talk compensation. Companies target to hire someone at what is called the “mid-range” of the compensation. If the position is listed at $70 - $100K, they are looking to start someone at $85K. The reason is companies want to have room for merit, COLA and other raise incentives such as merit in the pay grade. If they start someone at the top, there is no room, consequently, no raises until promotion to the next pay grade. Although someone could get more than “mid-range”, not likely will they get top dollar. The only chance of more, and the usual carrot used to get more going in, is a sign on bonus. Now, on to talk benefits. The competitive part comes in on the company view as to competitive compared to whom? A like size company in the same industry, in a different industry, a small company, or what? Only the company defines competitive in this case. As for relocation, it is usually tied to the level of position. Do skilled professionals get the same package as Mid to Senior Level Management? Hardly ever! Knowing how the dollars work helps you get a better idea of what to expect. You can only evaluate the other perks once you know more specifically what they are. Use this information as your guide to determine if the compensation for the position you have interest in meets your requirements.

INTRO:

This is where the fluff comes in. A popular buzzword in the industry is “branding”. Companies and recruiters are all the time encouraged to brand the company and themselves to create better awareness and interest. If the company is doing the advertising, you will likely see their name listed in the JOB DESCRIPTION. If a recruiter is running the ad content, they will likely not list the company name. They almost always keep it confidential until they talk with you. Either way, the intro is where you will see “fortune 500 company”, “industry leader”, “#1 in the nation”, or some like type comments. The intent is to shout out that they are everything you want and expect them to be. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this, except, if you never heard of them you should check them out to better know who they are. In their minds eye, they could be #1 but in the real world they could be on the bottom. You don’t want to be taking interest in a 3rd rate company if you are looking for a 1st rate company. Do your research, as you always should, to have absolute certainty who they are, where they stand in the industry, and, are they financially solvent enough to pay you should you be hired. Are they who they say they are.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is where you get to the substance of what the company is looking for. Here you will see the duties and responsibilities of the position. Many times this area is vague on substance and too much on generalities. You may have to interpret the meaning from what you know about like positions. If the JOB DESCRIPTION is well written, this area should be loud and clear. This is where you will see if you are qualified, the areas you can emphasis when you sell them on your background and what is expected as part of the job. This is the heart of the JOB DESCRIPTION. This is where you will see if this position is for you.

REQUIREMENTS:

This is where you will find the wants, the must haves and the preferred skills. Nothing is absolute, but you will at least see what the company’s first choice of skill sets are and the strength of their desire for specific skill sets. In some cases, companies use this area to screen out certain talent. Don’t let this deter you if you have a comparable rather than a specific requirement. Many times comparable or transferable skills are acceptable.

If a JOB DESCRIPTION is written to its optimum, it will have branding, education, motivation, sales and encouragement to make a move to action. You will see the fluff, get an education, could become motivated, get sold and be encouraged to a move to action. If that is the case, you will be armed with information to make an intelligent decision as to how you want to proceed. If that is not the case, at least you were able to decipher everything to make an intelligent decision and “is this the one”! Knowledge is power and invaluable to make the right decision.

How does the title “When is it more than it appears to be” fit this article? Simply put, if you do not understand the intent of what the JOB DESCRIPTION is saying in its entirety and how to read between the lines, clear or otherwise, you could be pursing something that is erroneous or does not exist. I am not implying you should not follow every lead, just saying you should know, as best is possible, what it is you are pursing. The better informed you are, the better you can “work smarter and not harder”. Call it a best use of time a resources.

One more point to help put you on a level playing field when it comes to introducing yourself to a position. Just as the JOB DESCRIPTION draws you in with branding, education, motivation, sales and encouragement to a move to action, YOU SHOULD do the same when you present yourself. BRAND yourself in your presentation, EDUCATE the company you are approaching on you, MOTIVATE the company to take interest in you, SELL the company on all the attributes of your background and skill set that qualifies you for the position and encourage them to a MOVE TO ACTION.

It is hoped you found value in this article on JOB DESCRIPTIONS. The more you know about dealing with all the elements of a JOB SEARCH the more successful you will be in attaining your OJBECTIVE. You don’t have to settle for what you get, go after what you want.

There is more to a JOB SEARCH than can be covered in one BLOG. Watch for other BLOG’s on all topics JOB SEARCH at

http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com

You won’t be disappointed. And, if you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s. You should also BOOKMARK this site as a favorite to COME BACK often and

TELL A FRIEND! I encourage you to do so.

I also welcome comment and if you wish me to address a specific subject let me know in the comments section or email me at

rsc@infoexchangegroup.com

And, by all means: NEVER give UP, give IN or quit TRYING! If what you are doing is not getting you what you are after, you have to change what you are doing to get a different result.

Now go out there and SEIZE the DAY! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Are You Making the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile In Your Job Search?

Author Byline: Expert resume writer Jessica Hernandez is the President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast a top-tier job search and resume writing firm.

Author Website: http://www.greatresumesfast.com/

Although hiring appears to have picked up a little over the last month or so, some sectors are still cutting back. We still talk to job seekers who are finding themselves out in the job market for the first time in a long time. These candidates often feel overwhelmed and don’t really know where to start with their job searches. Obviously, getting a polished, keyword-rich resume together is one of the most important steps. For many, a step that is equally important is creating or updating their LinkedIn profiles.

Studies show that the majority of recruiters and hiring managers now use LinkedIn at some point during the hiring process. So it’s not just important to have a LinkedIn profile but to have a complete profile that focuses on your brand and what you can offer the employer. You want your profile to show up in the top of search results and then convince the hiring manager to make contact.

LinkedIn also offers somewhat of a one-stop shop for a hiring manager trying to learn more about the candidate behind that fabulous resume on his desk (that would be you!) If you have recommendations on your profile, your candidacy receives instant credibility. If the companies you’ve worked for have created company pages on LinkedIn, the hiring manager can instantly learn things like how big the organization is and its Web site address without having to search around. Your LinkedIn profile also offers you the opportunity to create a more personal connection and communicate additional information not included in your resume.

So what’s in it for you? Besides allowing hiring managers to actively search for you or learn more about you once you’ve applied, LinkedIn also offers you a fabulous opportunity to research companies in which you’re interested. There’s probably no other place on the Web where you can find information like what percentage of the employees at a particular company have a master’s degree or attended particular schools. Wouldn’t you feel more confident walking into an interview knowing that 20% of an organization graduated from your alma mater?

If the idea of creating an attention-grabbing LinkedIn profile feels overwhelming, our professional branding experts can do it for you!

Article courtesy of the http://www.recruitingblogswap.com/%22%3ERecruiting , a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for http://www.collegerecruiter.com/internship/%22%3Ecollege  students looking for internships http://www.collegerecruiter.com/jobs/%22%3Erecent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Is There Still a Market For What You Do?

Author Byline:
Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter.

Author Website: http://www.greatresumesfast.com

Most people know that certain sectors of the economy have been hit harder than others, like real estate, construction, and banking. If you’ve spent the last decade or two working in those industries, what are you supposed to do now? As you begin your job search and sit down to write your resume, you should ask yourself an important question: “Do any companies pay people to do what I do?”

Remember five years ago when the real estate market was booming and everyone you knew was becoming a realtor? Fifteen years ago, IT was the popular industry that everyone was going into. Both of these sectors have been profoundly affected by economic forces, although fortunately, the IT industry is now back on an upswing.

The reality is that the economy has changed. There simply isn’t a market for certain things for which there was in the past, i.e., new homes. Some of these markets will return as the economy recovers, but some of them will never be the same. The changing economic landscape requires workers to change and adapt along with it.

If you conclude that your career is one that needs to take a different tack, your resume should clearly demonstrate where you’re going as much as where you’ve been. This offers you a wonderful opportunity to reshape your career and align it closely with the type of work you most enjoy. For instance, for our example realtor, his strong suit may have been combing data to produce excellent competitive market analyses. This is a transferable skill that could allow him to do pricing in a different type of industry. On the other hand, if the realtor’s strong suit was staging a home, photographing it, and marketing it online, then perhaps a new career in PR and communications would be a great fit.

Many people have no choice about making a major career change, and others just have the desire to. Whatever your circumstances, the current economy requires all of us to stop and think, “Do companies still pay people to do what I do?”

If you’re faced with a career change consider asking an expert for help. Certified resume writers are trained to strategically address career changes in resumes.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap < http://www.recruitingblogswap.com/ > a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, < http://www.collegerecruiter.com/jobs > a leading site for students looking for internships and graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Looking For Work? Your Job Search Is Your Job!

Guest Post: Author Byline: Cathy Eng, CARW, Owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc., http://www.resumerocketeer.com/

For professionals who are out of work and looking for a job, the search becomes a job in and of itself. That is why it is so important to take it just a seriously as if you have a full-time job! When there is a substantial gap between jobs, it is easy to get discouraged and lose motivation, but there are some reliable ways to stay focused in the career game while you are out there searching.

Organize your job search. Keep an Excel spreadsheet updated with jobs you have applied for. For each job you should list the job title/reference number, the date you applied, format you used to apply (e.g. emailed resume, online application), the date you plan to follow up, interview dates/times, any contacts you have within the company, and notes. This will help prevent a lot of frustration and make you feel like you are making progress.

Get up and get going. Sleeping late and job searching in your pajamas sounds great, but it is massively unproductive. It is best to keep a steady habit of waking up by 8 a.m., showering, getting dressed (keep it casual if you wish, but avoid those old sweats!), and starting your search by 9 a.m. This way, you are right in line with the rest of working world and you won’t feel so excluded. Also, research has proven that looking presentable, even though you are at home, helps with productivity.

Stay on task. Whether you have a job or you’re unemployed and looking, your day should start essentially the same. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down in front of your computer (or head to the public library if you don’t have an internet connection). Open your spreadsheet to get a sense of where you are in your search, make your to-do list for the day, and set some realistic goals. Here is a sample list:

To Do (Monday, 9/20/10)

1. Send resume to Bradford & Sons, Inc. (Posting for Accountant II)

2. Send resume to Smithington Associates (Posting for Accounting Supervisor)

3. Follow up with Sherry Miller at Huffington & Miller, LLC (applied last Wednesday)

4. Call Matt’s brother about open position at his firm.

5. Get a haircut before tomorrow’s interview at CRC, Inc.

It is important to be realistic and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t complete the list. Just carry items to the next day. Keep in mind professionals are most productive on Mondays and Tuesdays, so those are the best days to contact or follow up with hiring managers.

When you are out of work it is easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged, and even depressed. But, if you keep a positive mind and approach your job search just like you would a job, you will find a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day and, odds are, a job in your near future!


Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

JOB SEARCH! Is your JOB SEARCH going like you want it to? Expect it to? As well as it should?

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

I don’t know of anyone who would say their JOB SEARCH is going like they want it to. Nor as they expect it to or as well as it should! The first reason would likely be that they would rather be employed than in the midst of a JOB SEARCH.

A JOB SEARCH is not what would be called a pleasurable event. Nothing seems to go as planned, decisions from who we interact with take an eternity and we are not getting the results we would like as fast as we would like.

As frustrating and hard as the JOB SEARCH is, generally the two primary reasons they do not go as smoothly as they could are unreasonable expectations and failing to follow a process, or plan if you will. Not to sound cruel or insensitive, there needs to be reasonable expectations. There also needs to be a process or plan to be followed. You may have heard me say before that Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. That with reasonable expectations will make your JOB SEARCH less painful and more productive.

Lets start with more about REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS:

At one time it was said, and although I have not checked recently, believe to still be accurate, that for every $10K in salary you got or are worth, you can expect your JOB SEARCH to take a month. In other words, if you are looking to get $70K in salary, your JOB SEARCH will likely take 7 months. This is only a barometer but a reasonable expectation.

There are so many factors that play into this time element that it would be impossible to write about every possible scenario. Here is a list of some of the most common:

Finding the RIGHT POSITION:

It takes time to find the right position for you. You may settle for something less than your previous position or strive to get something equal to or great than. Either way, finding the position does take time. After you find it, there is the application process, online or otherwise. Once the company sees your application, they then have to decide whether they want to interview you. That decision is not just the Human Resource person or Recruiter’s decision. They must get the Hiring Manager to agree that you are the right candidate for an interview. Most Hiring Managers are busy and don’t make quick decisions when it comes to hiring. This is all part of finding the right position and getting an interview.

Getting through the companies HIRING PROCESS:

This is also a time consuming process. An interview schedule has to be set up and everyone who is part of the interview process needs to be present and have time available. Once the interview is over the people involved will be exchanging interview notes as to their take on the outcome. This is like an acceptance by committee and if there are some with concerns or objections, it will create more time to get a decision. In addition to this, how many others are being interviewed and over what time span of time? Additional candidates being interviewed will complicate the decision process, thus, increasing the time it takes to get one.

Getting through the BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS:

Say you get an acceptable offer. Now comes the background check. You can count on this taking anywhere from 7 to 21 days. Background checks generally go back 7 years, some 10 years. They check past residences, past employers, schools you graduated from or attended, any military service, and, more and more a credit check! Not all municipalities, police departments or schools respond in a timely manner to a background request so the background check drags on. Hardly anyone is cleared through the background check until all the information requested is in. And if you spent any time overseas, add more time. There is little a company can do to rush a background check through because of the dependence of getting information from sources they do not have any control over. Remember, this takes time.

Getting to the START DATE:

Everything is back and you are ready to start, like, right now. Not so fast new hire. You can reasonably expect to start in about a week, maybe two. It will most assuredly be the first day of a new pay cycle, and that will likely be on a Monday. What you may be faced with is a company budget issue that affects a start date by moving it out to the 1st day of a new month or quarter. It could also be affected by the start date of a new project, which may also be affected by a budget. Any way you look at it, you will probably not start the day after the background check results come in.

Have reasonable expectations and put time in perspective. Rome was not built in a day and a JOB SEARCH takes time as well. Keep in mind what John Quincy Adams said one fine day many years ago; “Patience and perseverance have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

Now for the PROCESS or PLAN:

Remember the 5 P’s referenced above. They do work and if it is doubted, think of something you have done in the past without one. Be honest, objective and think how the same task would have worked out following a 5 P principle! It is hard to deny that in almost every instance you will get a better result when you have a process or a plan.

Reference the BLOG entitled: JOB SEARCH! Following a RECRUITING process will enhance your results! It can be found at:  http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com

That BLOG references 12 steps that relate to how a Recruiter goes about working a process/plan. I illustrated how a job seeker can follow the same process to achieve the same results with efficiency and effectiveness. Here are 10 of the steps referenced in that BLOG:

1. Define a TARGET

2. Determine your targets HOT BUTTONS

3. Do your RESEARCH

4. Do your BRANDING

5. Determine your target’s HIRING PROCESS

6. Post the RESUME

7. Contacting your TARGET

8. Complete the APPLICATION

9. Illustrate your BACKGROUND

10. Securing the INTERVIEW

Some of these steps may not make sense or look strange, however, read the BLOG referenced that go into these steps and I believe you will understand what I am talking about here.

Remember the title of this BLOG; “JOB SEARCH! Is your JOB SEARCH going like you want it to? Expect it to? As well as it should?” If anything in this title is true in your JOB SEARCH then you should consider an audit of your process/plan. When you analyze each step look for areas that you are either not doing or not working for you. If there are any then you may have found the weak link in your process/plan. If everything is as it should be and you feel there is something missing, try tweaking the process/plan more to what you feel fits the way you work. There is nothing wrong with making change that works for you. There is no one perfect process/plan and if the one laid out for you is ineffective in any way, change what you feel is more appropriate for you and run with it. The whole point is to have a process/plan and to work it.

Other points to consider are:

1. Are you applying for jobs you are qualified for

2. Do you know what the company is looking for (don’t trust the job description)

3. Are you branding yourself (previous employers, the right school, the right job title)

4. Are you following your targets process completely and thoroughly (online application process)

I won’t get into definition on the other points other than to say that they are important as well. You be the judge as to how they will work for you.

A JOB SEARCH is a job in itself. Treat is as such, dedicate your time and effort in the manner you did in your job and commit to a successful outcome. Never give in, give up or quit!

The intent of this informative article on how your JOB SEARCH is going is to impress on the importance of REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS and working a PROCESS/PLAN. With that is encouraging you to audit the elements of your process/plan that you think are not working as well as you expect. Do this and you will be more comfortable with your JOB SEARCH, it will be more effective and you will get a better outcome.

There is more to this than can be covered here. Watch for my other BLOG’s on all topics JOB SEARCH at http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com    you won’t be disappointed.

If you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s, BOOKMARK this site as a favorite to COME BACK often and

TELL A FRIEND! I encourage you to do so.

I welcome comment and if you wish me to address a specific subject let me know in the comments section or email me at:    rsc@infoexchangegroup.com

JOB SEARCH! How the RULES FOR SUCCESS and POSSIBILITY THINKERS CREED can help your JOB SEARCH succeed!

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

Years ago I was given a set of “Rules of Success”. This was the staffing industry and I was new to the industry. I just came off of my own successful business that the bottom suddenly fell out of and it ended up being a disaster financially. I hung on to the hope far too long that I would turn it around.

I didn’t have a set of “Rules of Success” in my previous business. I can’t say that is the reason for its eventual failure but do believe if I had had a set it could have made a difference.

Since my failed business and entry to the staffing industry, remember, years ago, I came across an inspirational and motivational practitioner named Dr. Robert Schuller. I was drawn to his motivational message and delivery of the message. I bought a few of his books and got more familiar with him. One of his key messages was the “Possibility Thinkers Creed”.

Why do I bring this up? Well, because I believe these are excellent points to expound on as they relate to the JOB SEARCH. I can also tie the “Rules” to the “Creed” and some key elements of the JOB SEARCH. If you keep an open mind and willing to read what is here, you will likely come away with a fresh perspective and attitude for your JOB SEARCH. And, it will be a good one that you can use for other things going on in your life.

“RULES OF SUCCESS”

1. COMMIT

2. SHARE

3. MOTIVATE

4. COMMUNICATE

5. APPRECIATE

6. CELEBRATE

7. LISTEN

8. EXCEED

9. CONTROL

10. SWIM

“POSSIBILITY THINKERS CREED”

When faced with a mountain, I WILL NOT QUIT!

     I will keep striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or, simply stay and turn the

     mountain into a gold mine - - -

NOTE: Dr. Schuller is also the pastor of the Hour of Power TV Ministry and of the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. I owe it to Dr. Schuller to inform you that the closing phrase after gold mine is “with God’s help!” You should know the “CREED” in the original form but by the same token not misconstrue my purpose to tie it to the “RULES OF SUCCESS”.

Conducting a JOB SEARCH is a very trying experience. You want something, do all you can to get it, but, you are at the mercy of someone else’s decision as to whether you can have it or not. But, do you really need to be at someone else’s mercy? To some extend, yes, but there are things you can do to give yourself an advantage over everyone else competing for the same thing you are.

What are those things you say? Well, read on and you will see.

“RULES OF SUCCESS”

COMMIT

When you were on the job you probably did everything you could to not let anything interfere with you getting the job done. You were committed to the job and the rewards of a job well done. Do you apply the same work ethic to your JOB SEARCH? Most people don’t. They get up in the morning, find things to do that are not JOB SEARCH related and consequently do not have the same work ethic, read that Commitment, as they do when on the job. Give the same commitment to your JOB SEARCH that you did to the job and you will experience the success you had on the job in your JOB SEARCH. The JOB SEARCH is a job in itself and “When faced with a mountain” DO NOT QUIT!

SHARE

Sharing can be a great thing and be very giving. Think about networking, which you should be doing. When you ask someone for leads, contacts, who do you know questions, you are asking them to share with you valuable information. You will not likely use it all and should be willing to share with others, information that you may and may not use. The giving you do is more likely to give more back to you than giving nothing. If you give nothing, that’s usually what you will get in return. The mountain you are looking to climb over, pass through, or, tunnel underneath, can be turned into a gold mine if you mine it! Mine it with shared information.

MOTIVATE

Self motivate yourself and others around you. Remember when you give, you get. Keeping yourself motivated will be contagious to others and there will be better karma around you during your JOB SEARCH. Think of what you will learn during your JOB SEARCH, the value it has, how you can put it to use or how it can be shared with others. Appreciate the tools you have to assist you in your JOB SEARCH such as your computer, your Internet connection and the Internet itself. Look at the material, tips, BLOG’s and FORUMS that are out there to offer help for the JOB SEARCH. Be motivated to utilize all the tools at your disposal and enhance your JOB SEARCH results. You smile and you get a smile back. When you are cheerful, you get cheerful back. When you motivate, you get motivated back. When you give, you get back. That is turning the mountain into the gold mine!

COMMUNICATE

Communicating dovetails into sharing and motivating as well as networking. You can’t share or motivate without communicating. Information can be very valuable but is impossible to get without a form of communication, whether it is verbal or written. What you are looking for in your JOB SEARCH will very well come to your through communication. That makes communication essential.

APPRECIATE

When you appreciate all you have going for you, you will be better able to illustrate that to your audience in the JOB SEARCH. Appreciate the education, training, mentoring, seminars and anything else you have received that has help grow your career. They all have value and can be used to market yourself to your profession, your industry. When you appreciate what you have you take better care of it and know the value that it has. Have an enthusiastic and positive attitude about who you are and what you can do and market that value. It will pay off.

CELEBRATE

Celebration of success can be done for the small successes you have while you march on to the ultimate success of getting a job. You do research and find the name of a hiring manager! You network and are given the name of a company hiring or other leads. These examples can be cause for celebration. They are examples of “climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or, simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine”. You are finding your way to the gold mine or turning the mountain into a gold mine. Celebrate the steps in your JOB SEARCH. It will help you get through it better.

LISTEN

I had to be far more careful about this in the past than I need to be now. I was not the best listener and many times talked too much, listened too little. Over the years spent in staffing, I have learned and now know the value of and the art of listening. When you communicate with others, listen carefully for the value you can get out of the conversation. There will also be unsolicited hints in the conversation that you may miss if you don’t listen well enough. Listen for the hints and ask questions relative to them. You may find the gold in the mountain. Listen and you shell learn.

EXCEED

Set some reasonable goals for yourself and exceed them. Have some flexibility built in and don’t get concerned if you miss a time line or a goal. You can always reset or adjust based on the situation. What is most important is setting expectations and making every effort to meet them. Exceeding is putting your best foot forward, doing the best you can and more. When I work on my cars (my hobby) doing bodywork my wife likes to check on me to see what I am doing and how it is going. When she sees that I made a change in a design, am redoing bodywork, or, whatever the case, she says it appears I made a mistake and am redoing it. I say, no, it is a design change. I remind her that car builders don’t make mistakes, they make design changes. The design change is intended to continue to do better. If you make a mistake, not accomplish an objective or need to redo something, make a “design” change.

CONTROL

Sometimes you may feel you have no control and in some instances, such as over the Hiring Manager who is deciding who they want to hire, you may not, however, you have more control than you are taking credit for. If you are working with a Recruiter, they have control over who they market you to, how it will be done and the effort that will be put forth. When you market yourself, you are in control. Don’t ever depend entirely on someone else to do what you can do yourself. Your JOB SEARCH is too important to pass onto someone else, particularly someone who doesn’t feel the same pain as you having to search for a job when they currently have one. You can share control when it comes to recruiters but you want to take control and keep control. Generally, whoever has control gets the win.

SWIM

Swim upstream and be a winner. There is an 80/20 rule to share here. 80% of job seekers focus their JOB SEARCH on where 20% of the jobs are located, the Internet job boards. This 80% continually do the same thing over and over and are getting the same results. They don’t know of anything else or do not do anything else to get a different result and wonder why and/or when they will get a different result. Sooner or later they may. What they probably never heard of, or, don’t know of is the definition of insanity. Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. That’s what 80% of job seekers do. Be 20% er, do research, call companies you never talked to before, call hiring managers you don’t know, network with people new to you. Pull out all the stops. Use the Internet as a tool for research and as an additional source, but not as your only source. “When faced with a mountain, I WILL NOT QUIT! I will keep striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or, simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine”. Now get out there and turn that mountain into a gold mine.

What you BELIEVE, and CONCEIVE, you will ACHIEVE.

This article is meant to be more inspirational and motivational than functional in process. Other articles have been written on the mechanics of the JOB SEARCH. I suggest you go to:

http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com

There you will find other articles on all topics JOB SEARCH. Check it out and you won’t be disappointed!

If you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s, BOOKMARK the site as a favorite to COME BACK often and

TELL A FRIEND!

I encourage you to do so.

I welcome comment and if you wish me to address a specific subject or have a question, let me know in the comments section or send me an email to:

rsc@infoexchangegroup.com

Now, go out and SEIZE the DAY!

JOB SEARCH! Ten Commandments to help guide you through your JOB SEARCH and career!

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

There are rules to follow in all aspects of life that help enhance the outcome in achieving objectives. Whatever your objective, without rules or a plan, you will likely have a harder time achieving your objective or have a less than an optimum outcome.

Your JOB SEARCH is comprised of various parts, two of the most important being your RESUME and the INTERVIEW. Your RESUME is your written first impression and the INTERVIEW is your visual and verbal first impression. And, everyone knows you want to make a great first impression. Although the Ten Commandments you see here can be looked at as rules to more than just the JOB SEARCH, they are very appropriate and fitting for the JOB SEARCH.

To illustrate what I am talking about here, let me explain. Most people accept the fact that a tone or attitude can be detected in the way something is written, hence the tie to the RESUME. Nobody disputes that a tone or attitude can be detected in a person visually and how they verbalize, hence the tie to the INTERVIEW. This is how the Ten Commandments tie into your JOB SEARCH, through the RESUME and the INTERVIEW.

The Ten Commandments to follow here are indisputable. Some are less important or critical than the others, however, they all are still an important part of your JOB SEARCH. Let’s get into them, discuss their importance and illustrate how they fit.

The Ten Commandments

1. Have a great ATTITUDE

     This should be self explanatory, however, sometimes a less than great attitude comes through in the

     written word of the RESUME and can more easily be detected in the visual and verbal at the

     INTERVIEW. There is little question that job searches many times are stressful and frustrating. Those

     feelings can easily come through in actions so you should be very aware and conscience of your actions

     and not let them come through to negatively affect your attitude.

2. Show some ENTHUISIAM

     Enthusiasm is a cousin to attitude and is as contagious as attitude can be. If you don’t have any

     enthusiasm, go get some. Usually looking at past successes, achievements, triumphs and good times, you

     know those happy places will likely be the place to find some. Others you connect with in your job search

     will pick up any lack of enthusiasm and if there isn’t any, you will likely look lethargic. To create interest in

     you will be difficult if your head is not in the right place. Short story; I attended the US Air Force

     Recruiting School to be an Air Force Recruiter. The first thing we had to do before starting each class

     session was stand and shout: “Boy, am I enthusiastic”! At first we all thought this was mindless and what

     purpose could this possibly have, much less, the result it would achieve. As it turned out we could see the

     shout get stronger and more resilient as time went on. It almost became a competition as to who could

     shout out the loudest and be heard the most. The point became clear and the proof was in the result. The

     shouting achieved the desired result and the enthusiasm displayed through the shouting became

     contagious.

3. Practice Lombardi TIME

     If you don’t know, Vince Lombardi was the Head Coach for the Green Bay Packers during one of their

     most successful eras. He had a philosophy that was introduced to me when I attended the US Air Force

     Recruiting School. That philosophy was you should always be 15 minutes early to every appointment you

     have. It was called “Lombardi Time”. That was considered on time. It’s a good philosophy to have, to

     never be late and to always be early. Whether it is a network meeting, Job Fair, interview or any kind of

     function, practice “Lombardi Time” and never be late. Being late could cost you in a way you do not

     want.

4. Carefully listen to and follow INSTRUCTIONS

     This is particularly important when completing documents, doing online applications or following

     someone’s lead. Listen and follow. Think about documents or online applications for a moment. If you

     don’t pay attention to the instructions and not dot your i’s or cross your t’s, your application could be

     overlooked, missed or even ignored. The way it is completed may also be a testament to your attention to

     detail and an interviewer could use that as a measure to your qualification for a position. So, if the

     application instructions are to fill out every block, not leave any blanks, fill out every block. I suggest that

     even if that is not clear in the instructions to do it anyway. If an NA in a block makes it clear whether that

     part of the application is applicable to you or not, put one in the block. It is easy enough and could pay

     you dividends. Look, listen and follow instructions.

5. Give it your best because of who you are, don’t make it about the PAY

     When you make a commitment to something you should be committed to doing the best you can in

     whatever it is. It should not all be about the pay. Although pay is an important part of attracting and

     keeping talent, when you commit to doing a job for whatever pay that was offered do the best you can on

     the job. You will be far better off and will get your rewards more readily by doing the best you can than

     doing what you think should be the best to give for what you are being paid. I don’t know anyone who

     gets what they think they are worth but I know people who have gotten bonuses, promotions or pay

     raises because of a job well done. I don’t recall knowing or knowing of anyone who was rewarded for

     poor performance.

6. Talk less and LISTEN

     The rule of talk less and listen more applies almost everywhere in the work place. When you listen more

     you learn more, are more amenable to suggestion, will be more of a team player and would be a better

     leader. Talking too much is distracting and the conversation tends to wander off the subject. It takes more

     time and becomes counter productive. I have struggled with this commandment myself and believe now I

     have it in check, although I still have to work at it. Keeping it in check for me has allowed me to learn

     more, actually come off more knowledgeable with credibility, and be able to stay on topic and not

     wander or go off on tangents. Be cautious on this and when someone asks you for the time or how to set

     a watch, don’t tell them how to build one. Like what I heard when I was in basic training in the US Air

     Force, LISTEN up! So, LISTEN up.

7. Avoid GOSSIP

     This can apply to the workplace environment, what you hear in an interview that is not credible or on

     most any other front. Gossip lacks credibility and anyone who gets involved with it comes across as less

     credible. Ever work with someone who seemed less credible than the rest of the team? Was information

     distorted with inputs of nonfactual information, something input by gossip? Gossip can be dangerous. It

     can ruin a project by infusing bad information, relationships because of false information or even

     workplace harmony. Gossip has no place anywhere, anytime. It is usually composed of false or

     nonfactual information. It is like a virus that spreads and inflicts great damage in its path. Don’t get

     involved with it and avoid it. You will be much better off if you do. You will also be in a better position to

     avoid being the subject of gossip if you are not a carrier of the disease, gossip.

8. Don’t bash the BOSS

     This dovetails with gossip but can be more malicious when targeted. Whether in the workplace or the

     interview to get into the workplace, talk good of others and they will likely talk good of you. When

     interviewing, the interviewer is not interested in hearing how bad someone is, particularly a past boss.

     When you bash a boss you are taking away your credibility and discrediting yourself as an authority on

     your own background. You are less believable and your capability will come in question. Not the

     impression you want to leave with your interviewer. And, more times than not, you haven’t accomplished

     anything and nobody really cares. In the workplace, the same thing applies. The consequences in an

     interview are you lose out on a job. The consequences in the workplace are you alienate everyone or end

     up getting fired. This usually follows an individual who has a tendency to talk bad about someone, as it

     can become a small world in an industry where people do move on from one company to another. Do

     yourself a favor and talk nice about the BOSS.

9. Drive your discipline with DILIGENCE

     Discipline goes a long way in helping you get the job done. It helps you stay focused and on task. It does

     take effort and diligence. Without being diligent in your discipline your efforts to accomplish will suffer.

     Don’t forsake a quality result on whatever you do by lacking the discipline to do it and do it right. You

     will be rewarded for the DILIGENCE given to discipline.

10. Git r DONE

     A famous comedian who is part of the Blue Collar Comedy Team coined “GIT r DONE”. Can’t

     remember exactly how this came about but it has made him more famous than he already was. The point

     is to finish what you start. In the workplace, this is probably happening but is it really? Delays in

     completion are sometimes unavoidable but in many cases they are. When they happen, is this really

     getting the job done? Are the circumstances surrounding the delay or lack of delivery just? Is there any

     diligence present that is driving discipline? The variety of reasons that a job is not getting done becomes a

     mute point if you are the person responsible for getting it done. The bottom line here is to “GIT r DONE”.

These Ten Commandments are appropriate in every facet of life, not just the workplace. You can chose to have a “set of rules” if you will to live by or wander aimlessly through your life and career. You could very well be successful in both aspects, however, a better prepared person with Commandments or a set of rules that guide them is many times more likely to be more successful than someone that wanders.

However and whatever you set you compass on for life or career, have some commandments to help guide you. You will be much better off and more successful if you do.

It is hoped you found value in this informative article on the Ten Commandments as related to the RESUME, INTERVIEW and career in general. Be aware of and address them as part of your JOB SEARCH. You will certainly set yourself apart from others and enhance your objective if you do.

There is more to a JOB SEARCH than can be covered in one BLOG. Watch for other BLOG’s on all topics JOB SEARCH at

http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com

You won’t be disappointed. And, if you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s. You should also BOOKMARK this site as a favorite to COME BACK often and

TELL A FRIEND!          I encourage you to do so.

I also welcome comment and if you wish me to address a specific subject let me know in the comments section or email me at

rsc@infoexchangegroup.com

And, by all means: NEVER give UP, give IN or quit TRYING! Now go out there and SEIZE the DAY!

JOB SEARCH! Is the JOB FAIR or CAREER DAY part of your JOB SEARCH plan?

Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM

I have participated in many JOB FAIRS and CAREER DAYS and can tell you, as you may already know, they don’t always live up to what they say they will. That is not necessarily a bad thing, however, there are several things you should keep in mind that will help you maximize the benefit you get from attending them, which you should!

Lets start with EXPECTATIONS. Don’t have any, simple as that. Think about the objective of companies that participate in JOB FAIRS and CAREER DAYS. They are usually multiple, such as:

1. To find qualified candidates to fill their positions (this is not their primary objective, although you would
    think so)
2. To build their database with candidates for future positions

There is a chance you may get an interview but it likely will not be with the Hiring Manager since few hiring managers actually attend JOB FAIRS and CAREER DAYS. The interview you do at JOB FAIRS and CAREER DAYS will likely be with a Recruiter, a Human Resources representative or someone from the department you would work in if you were an employee of the company. The department representative you would likely interview with would likely be a non-volunteer asked, or told, to attend the JOB FAIR or CAREER DAY as a representative of the company. None of these people are likely a decision maker so any interview you do have will more likely be an audition to get you to an interview with the decision maker, whom is, the Hiring Manager. So, getting past the JOB FAIR or CAREER DAY representatives to get to the hiring manager should not be your expectation, it should be your objective.

You should RESEARCH the companies in attendance at the JOB FAIR or CAREER DAY. Many times you can get an advance copy of the attendee list, and, if you can, get that copy. Once you do, research your targets, the companies you want to talk to. Develop a planned strategy on approach, what you want to leave with them such as a cover letter and resume, what you want to say and the impression you want to leave with the representative you talk with from the company. In your research know what positions they are looking to fill so you have some intelligence to prepare for your approach to them. Know what they do, their product line and check news releases for the latest and greatest news on them. Collect what business cards you can and plan to do what follow up that is necessary. And, by all means, do a follow up contact with whom you talk with as you would a follow up to an interview. You will score big time if you do the right things.

Be a PARTICIPANT in the JOB FAIR or CAREER DAY. The last thing you want to do is walk around, drop off resumes and not say anything to company representatives. You won’t get information or be able to present yourself if you are a non-participant. The only way to find out what’s out there that you may not know about is to participate. Talk to people, collect business cards and communicate what you are looking for. People will remember a personable friendly person they have talked to more than someone who just drops off a resume and moves on. Keep in mind that connecting with people leads you to other people, such as, hiring managers. Contribute information and ask questions. You will be much better off participating and not drop boxing your resume.

Keep in mind that JOB FAIRS and CAREER DAYS are just another means to an end in your JOB SEARCH. There are no guarantees on the success you will have with JOB FAIRS or CAREER DAYS. Look to them as another tool in your tool box and a means of networking, which is critical, in your JOB SEARCH. Work them effectively and you will find value in them. Maybe even get a job out of them. Attend for the sake of attending and you will likely be wasting your time.

Regardless of what you do in your JOB SEARCH and how you effective you are, what you must always keep in mind and do is:

Never give up, Never give in and Never quit trying!

So, go out there, seize the opportunity and seize the day!

For more information on JOB SEARCH watch for my other BLOG’s on all topics JOB SEARCH at

http://jobsearch-rsc.blogspot.com/

you won’t be disappointed.

If you like what you see and find value in this information, reference my other BLOG’s, BOOKMARK this site as a favorite to COME BACK often and

TELL A FRIEND!

I encourage you to do so.

I welcome comment and if you wish me to address a specific subject let me know in the comments section or email me at

rsc@infoexchangegroup.com