Accelerate Your Search™ Now

My prior post Will networking help your job search? covered understanding the power and generosity available within your network and how to tap into that energy.  Leveraging the reach of your network also helps you accelerate your search.

Have you stopped to think about the reach of your network?  What about the reach of one event?

If not, think about the numbers.  In a job search your number one focus is marketing.  To market effectively you must measure your marketing reach and marketing results.  You need to think about and look at the numbers.

According to Facebook, in February 2011, there were 500 million active Facebook users sharing 30 billion pieces of content.  The average Facebook user has 130 friends.  130 Friends!

What does that have to do with numbers and networking in person?

Here is the connection and the assumption.   If you are job searching and you go to a business networking event, you can assume that the professionals at the event have at least 50 solid business connections, most have many more.

Do the math.  At an event with 50 people, who have 50 contacts (50×50=2500) you have potential access to 2500 possible first degree connections, at one time, in one place.  That can be powerful.

Additionally, if you think about power and generosity of in-person connections and the potential for sparks and energy flow, if you are open, what an opportunity.  One event could connect you to the right person, who makes a phone call to a person who will hire you to do your ideal job or to the one person who changes your view of something for ever.

The catch is it rarely happens at the first event, or even the second event.  Why?  Usually, it has to do with your planning, your comfort and your openness to connect.

May I share how I know this?

Now, I love to network.  It allows me to connect, build relationships and help others achieve success on their terms.  But there was a time that I didn’t know how to network, I didn’t like to network, and I didn’t do it.  Frankly, at one time networking terrified me.

I remember when my heart raced for hours before and after networking events, sometimes I would drive to an event and never go in, I would just sit in the car and look at my plan.

Then I learned about making a specific plan with the number of people you wanted to connect with at an event and finding out what you could offer.  So one time I tried it.

I changed my plan and I purchased a $75.00 ticket to an event.  When I got there the only parking was valet parking, so I spent the two hours in the powder room, sitting in a chair, because I was terrified I was out of my league and I was worried about what the parking attendant would say if I asked for my car after he just parked it.  I was so nervous my heart was racing and didn’t know what else to do.  Near the end of that event, a woman stopped as she passed where I was sitting, she smiled at me and said, “You showed up, that’s today’s success”.  I was mortified.

Then I looked down at my plan, it read: “Buy ticket, go to event, be open, successfully connect with one person, and get specific information about networking and become successful”.  One spark of energy, one tip, and one connection, my changed plan with a specific number in it worked!  Not the way I thought it would, but it did work.

It still took me some time to “love networking”, to become comfortable and to learn to be open to the opportunities and the reach of networking.  At that one event, I did learn both about reach of networking and the power of changing my plan.  By being open to measure my success and look at the power of specific numbers what I achieved was success!

I like being successful, it is fun, and gives me a boost. So I tried it again and again until I got good at networking.

Here is the formula I used, it works.  Try it and let me know about your results.

Ask – What can you do for your network? Where will you network? How will you tell your network about what you do? What results do you want?  Create a plan to connect with your network using the answers to these questions.  Execute the plan with openness, next evaluate the results.  Celebrate your success and adjust the plan accordingly.

Looking back when I assessed the results I did have a WOW to celebrate.  By changing my plan, adding a number of connections to make and by being open and willing to receive what was offered I was successful and my view of networking changed forever.  At that point I was still terrified of networking and I would not call sitting in the powder room for two hours networking – yet I discovered the how to leverage the reach of one person and a few words at a networking event.

What would happen if you changed your plan?

Do you need help to leverage the reach your network offers for your job search?    Join the next Q & A call.

Yes, I believe it will if you know how to network and you do network.  Understanding and leveraging your network may be one of your most powerful tools to accelerate your search. 

First the power and generosity of your network is amazing, second the reach of your network extensive.

Networking allows you to connect with people. 

When you network, you have the potential connect and build relationships with people.  The energy generated from connecting and sharing with people can be a simple spark or a flow of energy.  The spark can be an idea, tip, or a trigger for you.  The flow of energy can be an exchange of information lasting minutes, days or years. 

The energy exists, just walk into a room.  The energy only becomes power if you are open to it.    

Much like a small appliance plugged into an outlet with the switch off, the energy is flowing however the power of the energy is not available to run the appliance because the switch in the off.   When you attend an event or network, you put yourself in a place where the energy is, you plug-in.  If you want to connect to the power of the energy your next step is turn the switch, to be open to the flow of energy.

If you are new to networking or uncomfortable with networking, show up.   By being at an event in person, allows you to be available to plug-in to the energy and power. 

I have connected to some amazing opportunities just by showing up and being open to the energy in a room.  I am a planner and I go into all situations with a plan.  Some of my plans are detailed and complex and some are very simple. Sometimes my networking plan for an event is as simple as showing up and being open.

You too, may be drawn into a power and generosity of your network.  The flow of energy allows you to experience the compassion, generosity, personality, and the knowledge of others.  When you are open and available those connections allow you to directly or indirectly connect to and have the opportunity to identify people whose values are similar to your own, and who have contacts are within organizations that are meaningful to your goals.

What is your plan to tap the power and generosity of your network?

Here are the steps to help you create a plan. 

Ask – What can you do for your network? Where will you network? How will you tell your network about what you do? What results do you want?

Create a plan to connect with your network using the answers to the questions above.

Execute the plan with openness, next evaluate the results.

Celebrate your success and adjust the plan accordingly. 

Do you have a networking success story to share?  Feel free to share your story or a tip here.

People searching for a new job usually fall into one of two groups.  Those who are did not elect to be in a job search but were forced into a job search and those who elected to be in a job search.  It is interesting that both groups commonly struggle to land the job they want quickly for the same reason.  

They race from the starting gate into a job search and begin doing “stuff”.  Usually without recognizing the need to think about the results they want, how to best achieve those results.

A job search is a marketing project.  With all marketing projects there is a need to determine the desired results, assess the resources at hand, organize, plan and execute the plan to achieve results.  What is the desired result?

Is the desired result sending out résumés until you get an interview? 

Or

Is it generating multiple job interviews?

Or

Is it accepting an offer for a Chief Operating Office for a 300+ unit operation on the East Coast at 17% increase in total compensation by August 1^st?

One of the most critical elements of a job search is your marketing plan.  Daily, I talk to people who need to organize, target and plan their marketing efforts.  

If you fail to ensure all your marketing efforts are going in the same direction and your efforts aren’t aligned with your needs, goals, ideals, passions, talents, and experience the job search process becomes frustrating and LONG.  The rejection rate is higher and the final outcome less desirable.

Signs your current marketing plan is extending your job search:

–          You can’t tell someone in two sentences or less about the job you want

–          You can’t state in a credible manner what differentiates you from your peers

–          You can’t describe your marketing strategy

–          You can’t list your target companies

–          You can’t state why you want to work for your target companies

–          You can’t measure your marketing activities and assess your progress

Would focus and a clear marketing plan accelerate your job search?

For years I have been helping job seekers tell their story in a clear manner.  At some point almost all job seekers figure out the importance of being able to tell potential employers their story, and to respond to “tell me about yourself” in a clear and authentic manner. 

In today’s world managing your personal brand online and offline is not just a good idea, but a requirement.  If you are serious about your career, your job search and your reputation you not only need to be able to tell your story in person in a clear, consistent manner to be known, liked, trusted and hired, you must also be able to tell your story online.

Your online presence, and your online your identity will tell a story.  You can either manage your online presence and your online identity to tell your story or you can allow search engines and maybe others to cobble together information about you.

If you are still sitting on the fence, hoping those around you are wrong about all “the buzz” about social media, or if you still think social media and an online presence is just for tech savvy professionals and not for you, for those in your industry or professional – think again!

There was a time you could elect not to have an online presence, I believe that time has passed. Not having a strategy for an online presence may be very costly.  So maybe you will be lucky and find a job before you need to worry about your online profile, or online identity or maybe not. Stop making excuses and think of the benefits of offering your story.

A solid personal story communicated via your online presence offers a consistent message to help you grab the attention of your audience.  It defines who you are, and what you have to offer with the right amount of history and detail about the value and impact your can offer without choking the reader’s interest with unwanted or surplus details. 

Telling your story well helps your create an emotional connection.  It can be the first step in helping someone, get to know you, and like you.  Once someone has knowledge of you, and finds you likable, you are on your way to creating a foundation for trust.  All lasting relationships are built on a solid foundation of know, like and trust. 

You can overcome first impressions, and the cobbled together story search engines may tell about you, but at what cost?  Do you have time to do that?   Do you want to do that?

In most cases it really comes down to “pay now, or pay later”.  Do you want to invest time and energy now, to be prepared, to establish your brand, and take time to building your online presence now or later?  Do you want to set yourself up to be known, liked, and trusted?  Then spend a little time and energy each week managing your brand, and your online presence, or do you want to take your chances and invest later. 

What are the costs the missed opportunities and that you need to overcome a poor first impression?  Maybe you believe the cost will go down over time!  That has not been my experience neither the experience of most of the people I know.

Everyone has a personal brand and an online identity.  Is your story helping your online presence?  Does it help you accelerate your search?   If not, 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?

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.

I believe landing the job you want fast means helping a potential employer hire you.  Here are a few tips I would offer all candidates about connecting your references and potential employers:

Prepare your references: Be sure your references have a copy of your résumé and keep your references posted on your job search progress. After each interview that moves forward schedule a call with your references to review the position, your background and why the job is a great fit for you and what you can offer to the position.  Don’t forget to review how your past accomplishments demonstrate what you are going to do for your next employer.

Help your references connect: Find out who will call your reference and provide that information to your references.  If you reference are hard to reach, help with the scheduling if needed, suggest the best times and best methods to connect your references.

Follow up: It is critical to follow up with your references to see how the conversation went.  What should you be aware of, did the employer have concerns or are there red flags, points, or items you should know about, affirm or address with your future employer.

Thank your references: Drop a personal note in the mail to each of your references to say thanks for their help, and the time they invested in you and your career.  You would be surprised how many people forget to say “Thank You” to a reference.  Don’t forget to also let your references know when you land and start a new job.

Believe it or not your references can tip the scale in your favor or break the deal ensuring someone else is the finalist for the job you want.

What additional suggestions do you have to prepare your references?