Accelerate Your Search™ Now

Take a quick look.  Does your format need an update? Does it communicate value and the salary you deserve?

With the tendency of firms to hire those who have been unemployed for shorter periods of time first, if you have been looking for work for more than 27 weeks, you are considered to be among the “long-term” unemployed. 

The dates are the dates, but if the other information on your résumé is also dated this could be impacting your search.  Have you updated (yes, updated not targeted) your résumé in the last 90 days?

Take a look at the Header – that is “prime real estate”.  What does your email address and phone number say about you?  Does it say you invest in yourself and keep up with what’s current?  Is the style competitive for your professional and industry?  Did you include your LinkedIn Vanity URL as a Hyper-Link?

Does the design grab attention?  Does your content sell your brand, skills, value, achievements and paint a vivid picture of what you can do to address the employer’s needs?  Does that image match the salary you want?

Does your résumé need a facelift?   What are you doing about it?

“The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one’s self to destiny.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Do you need a Plan B? Or should you just to say yes to the opportunities around you?

As I looked forward to the New Year I was asking myself if I needed a Plan B, because 2010 was ending differently, than I had hoped.  December began with seemingly few opportunities, and my planning for 2011 was proceeding in a very cautious manner.

Then, one of my mentors shared the above quote with me and what followed was a discussion on why we often question or wonder if we have what it takes to achieve our goals. She asked, what was holding me back why was I afraid to leave my comfort zone.  Then the big questions “why is it still a challenge for you to step up? and “why are you using caution as an excuse?”

When she asked the questions, I did not have the answers.  In fact my thoughts were negative, defensive, and I knew from that reaction, I needed to find the answer and quick. So, in lieu of answering I asked to give the questions some thought and get back to her.  In her style and with a kind smile she said “Okay, let’s talk tomorrow.”

Then later the same day, after several conversations with job seekers and some of my clients, the answers came to me – YES, I was using caution as an excuse.  I see this so often in others in their job search, career transitions, or business, yet I was doing the same thing.  I needed others around me to hold up a mirror, so I could see what I was doing.

My normal no-excuses get it done approach had slowed.  I too, was making an excuse and I was not sure why.

Looking back over the events of the past six months, I was questioning if I had the courage to do what I needed to do and could I learn what I needed to learn.  Where was I going to find the information, time, etc?  I was afraid, time, information and the need for a Plan B were just excuses. 

Was I just going to allow fear stop me?  Would I just stay in my comfort zone by repeating the excuses until I believed them?  Have you ever felt that way?

The opportunities are right in front of me.  Yet my fear and my lack of willingness to say YES to the opportunities were holding my back. 

What I realized is that until I said yes to challenge and the opportunities around me, I could not say yes to learning and doing what would be needed to step up and out of my comfort zone.  Once I realized this I also realized the information was easily available.  The help I needed was also available, therefore I did not need a Plan B, I just needed the courage to step up, stop making excuses, and say yes to the opportunities in front of me.

For me, talking about a Plan B was an excuse. It was a way, not to say yes.  You MUST say yes to the opportunities around you, if you are asking yourself if you need a Plan B.  Before you develop a Plan B, ask yourself some tough questions:

What is holding you back?  Are you saying yes to the opportunities around you?  Are you using caution as an excuse?  Have you been afraid to leave your comfort zone? Are you using excuses like the economy and the high unemployment rate to avoid stepping up and out of your comfort zone?   It is easy to do, I know, I too have done it.

Are you willing to say Yes and then do what it takes?  Do you have the courage to do step up?

The job search process has changed.  If you are still, hiding behind your computer screen, applying online, posting your résumé, and waiting for a call you are not saying yes to the opportunities around you.  These “old” ways to job search are not enough to land the job you want.

If you ready to step up and you are willing to say yes to the opportunities around you, why not take the first step? 

Take the first step, embrace the journey to success say “Yes, I am willing to go on this journey.  That simple act is an amazing and a simple thing, your willingness to say “Yes” and then take action to see and act on the many opportunities around is very powerful as well as humbling.

Do you have the courage to say yes? 

It can be scary.  The simple and super neat thing is that saying yes, is that it opens the doors to all you need.  Saying yes and then taking action, qualifies you for what you may need to achieve your goals, no matter what it is.  A connection, resources, skills, information, experience, time, or help, have the courage to say yes and whatever you need shows up. 

Now, you must still reach out and take action or the opportunities will go to someone else.  Saying yes, and having the courage to step up, is the first step to reaching your goals.

Do you have the courage to step into the fear, to see and embrace the opportunities, to grow, and to take action?   Or will you stay in your comfort zone, settle for mediocrity, or create Plan B within your comfort zone?

If you are ready to land the job you want, fast and with less stress, say yes to the opportunities around you.  Step up and have the courage to take action.

If you are ready to say yes, and take action I am happy to help you.  Start the New Year with proven action steps. 

I am happy to share proven ways to accelerate your search and take action.  Go to AccelerateYourSearch   complete the form and I will send you “162 Ways to Accelerate Your Job Search”.

Will you look at what it takes to accelerate your sucess in 2011?  Will you step up, step out and truly shape your world and the perception others have about you, your brand, your career, your business and your industry?  Or will you leave that and your success to others?

If you have decided to be serious about your personal brand and are looking for some solid resources here is a list good list, 50 Excellent Blogs to Help You Build Your Online Brand.

Take a look at your personal brand and how it can help you accelerate your job search, your career and your success in the new year.  If you have questions about how personal branding can help you accelerate your success join my Q & A calls and learn more or read some of the 50 Excellent Blogs to Help You Build Your Online Brand and take action.

Small consistent actions will accelerate your search, build your brand and help you create the success you deserve.   How did you accelerate your search today?

In “How To Network With A Complete Jerk”,  Jason Alba, offers some great advice, exercise choice and use a simple solution.

So often I hear from people in a job search or working hard to hire talent that really do struggle with how to handle a JERK.  There are situations when “You don’t.” is the best solution. 

However, we are all faced with a JERK that for one reason or another, we must deal with at least on some level.  Or at least I am from time to time.

Are you faced with a JERK that is hard to avoid?  What about a JERK at an event?  Would “ignore” or “don’t” always work?

Here is a quick tip for handling either a JERK or a person you would like to connect with in future, however, here and now is not the best time.  Exercise the choice of when and how to connect.  Here’s how:

   – offer a connection method and time that fits the situation and person,

   – then excuse yourself, this allows you to continue to network. 

When you do encounter a JERK, you do wish to connect with now or in the future, you can politely exercise the choice of excusing yourself.  It is okay to say, “I don’t believe I can assist you, good luck.”

I agree with Jason Alba, it is a very empowering to exercise the choice.  You do control who, where, when or if you elect to network with someone.   

What is your solution?  Feel free to share it.

Do you have a situation you need help with or a job search question? 

Give me a call or join me for the monthly Q & A calls and get your burning questions answered.

Well if the courier is Santa, maybe a 5 great lessons.  After reading a great story by Sean D’Souza about why Santa’s marketing works better, I thought about his points and how they apply to job searching.

Thanks, Sean D’Souza for your inspiration.  D’Souza is the founder of Psychotactics, a New Zealand-based marketing consultancy.

Here is my view on what every job searcher can learn from Santa. 

 Lessons from Santa

 1. Be authentic.  Santa Claus is real, not a copy or false.  He is a jolly older man for the North Pole.  With a unique calling, the delivery of gifts to boys and girls around the world one night a year. What do you do? 

2. Be consistent.  Santa is consistent.  Same message and very, very powerful imagery.  Keep it simple.  Think about the consistent message – 3 things.  People remember the 3 things Santa does.   What 3 things do you do?  Do you have a consistent image and message?

3. Be different.  Santa is different.  He does stand out in a crowd.  How are you different?  How do you stand out from the crowd?

4. Be customer focused and know your customers.  Santa is focused on his customers.  Everyone on his team, Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer are all focused on his customers.  Who are his customers?  Little boys and girls.  Who are your customers?  How do you show your focus on your customers?  Is your team focused on your customers?  Do you have an emotional connection with your customers?  Do you know where they live and want they want?

5. Give to receive.  Santa gives first.  Do you?  What do you give your customers or potential customers?  What do you give to your network with each week?  What do you give to those who share their time and important information?  Do you know what others want? Do you ask, and then deliver?  Santa does.

How will you apply these lessons from Santa to your job search?   Let me know.

Merry Christmas!

Well, I do.  “The Dip” by Seth Godin is one of those books I just finished again.  It is described as a short book about quitting and being the best in the world.

If you are frustrated with your search, take a break and read this book.

Then share your thoughts.

Ready for success?   Need some help?  Have questions about your job search?

Sign up to the right, join the Q & A calls and ask your questions.

According to industry experts, who provide pre-employment screening services and résumé fact checking services, as many as 30% of résumés contain false or incorrect information.  Your résumé is a very important marketing tool.  Employers understand a résumé is a marketing tool, but they also view a résumé as a factual document.

Employers are looking to hire both someone who can do the job and who fits with the team.  Here are six quick tips to ensure your résumé is saying what is important to employers and helping you get interviews.

Be factual and to the point, make your résumé easy to read and interesting.

1. Include specifics on your past performance.  Employers know past performance is the best indicator of future performance.  Don’t make an employer guess or read between the lines to understand your past performance record.
2. Explain what you did to maintain your skills during any employment gaps.
3. Offer job related, credible evidence of your skills, knowledge and experience.
4. Customize and target your résumé for each position.
5. Be sure your résumé communicates who you are and the unique value you offer to the position and the organization.

Do you have questions about your résumé? 

Sign up to the right, join the Q & A calls and ask your questions.

“A parked car needs no navigation.” ~ Unknown

Have you ever been lost and ask yourself shoud I park the car now and figure out what direction to go? 

Should you park your job search now because it is off track?

This is an interesting and very true quote.   I often share it when I am working with someone who has parked their search for a while and with those who, for one reason or another have elected to park their search for a time.   As you noticed I parked this blog for a time. 

I recently lost my Dad.  I miss him every day.   He taught me a great deal about navigating life, often in very unique and interesting ways.   I learned early in life from him, if you don’t know where you are going, and you don’t have a plan to get where you want to go, the odds of ending up where you want to go are slim. 

I parked this blog, to reflect, and determine what’s next.  Another lesson from my Dad, it is easier to read the map and figure out where you are going if the car is parked. 

Do you need to park your search? 

Could it help you to stop, for a few days and access where you are?

It is critical to know where you are to determine how to get to where you want to be.

If you need some help assessing where you are or what is the next best move for your career or job search, a great place to park is on our bi-weekly Q & A calls.  Sign up to the right, join the calls and ask your questions.  You may just find the map you need to figure out your next step.

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosopher

Just as the limits of your language will limit your world, what you say to others and yourself limits your success in your job search.  The job search can be the toughest jobs you will ever have, don’t believe me?  Ask around.

Each week I listen to the limiting language of those looking for a job.  “No postings in my field”… “No one is hiring” … “I am overqualified” … “I am too old”… “Too young” … “too experienced”… and the list goes on.   Go ahead, admit it , you are saying some of these things aloud or at least thinking them.

Pause and think about if you are using this language.  If so, you will begin to believe it, or those around you will begin to believe it.  Your thinking and your language dictate how you think and shares with others how you think.  Do you want others to think you are “too old”?

What message are you sending with your language?

Does your language encourage others to think of you in terms of positive results, your desired income, the job you want?

If not, review your language.  Your language is a choice.

Does your choice and what you say help you move forward, or is it helping to maintain the status quo?

What language are you using that limits your search or your brand?

Yesterday at a Networking event, I was speaking with three very talented individuals with different views and concerns about doing what they have passion for doing in their next job.  One who is energizes and excited about what he wants to do.  The second fearful and almost stopped in his tracks from fear, unhappy and afraid to take action.   The third,  so on fire about exploring a ‘love’, hobby and the opportunities in the market place he left behind in college you could feel his energy.

As I listened, I recalled a post from Meg Guiseppi, “Can You Work Your Passion in a Lousy Executive Job Market?” Meg shared the three points, from Curt Rosengren’s article in the US News & World Report article, “Does Having Passion for Your Work Even Matter?” – the point, here is that why passion is such an important investment for your career, was playing out before my eyes and why it is important to your job search as well.

It still surprises me that so many people, elect not to spend a little time to discover or think about what they have passion for and find a way to incorporate that passion within a search to land their next job.

For years I have shared, “Do what you love, money follows”.   To do that you do need to discover what you have passion for and how that aligns with your purpose and goals.

A job search is always challenging.  Work and life will always include bumps in the road.  When you know your purpose, what makes you unique and different, what brings you joy, what you want to do, it is much easier to find and once you are working, it make your career much more fulfilling.

Can you answer the questions?  What do you want to do?

Have you taken time to explore what makes you happy?

What excites you?  What matters to you?

What makes you get up in the morning or stay up late?

What is stopping you from spending the time right now to reconnect with your passions or to answer these questions?

Why are you afraid to do some soul-searching?