Accelerate Your Search™ Now

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 8

It is week 8 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Only two weeks remaining in the challenge!  Remember you can revisit Actions 1-7 by scrolling through the previous posts on the Accelerate Your Search blog.  For now, we are on to action #8.

Action #8:  Stop Kicking Dead Horses

Following up and being persistent is critical in business and life, but you also need to know when to stop and change paths.  Life is a cycle — birth, growth, death.  All things (including jobs and interests) begin, continue and end.  Whether it is your interest or the interest of another that has ended, release it.

In a job search, and in life, there are things without answers.  Phone calls or emails may go unanswered.  You may never know why you were released from a job or why an offer was not extended.  I know you want to know.  Ask yourself this, “What value do I gain by knowing?”  Will knowing change the outcome?  There is a point in time where you are best served by abandoning the desire to know.

It is a fact that things changes, times change, people change and evolve.  Passions die and that is OK.  Instead of getting caught up in the past, ask yourself what you want to pursue NOW.  As one thing dies, another is born.  Move on and walk a new path.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 7

It is week 7 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Did you add some “spice” to your life last week?

Congrats!  You’ve made it through 6 weeks of the 9 week challenge.  How has your life changed?  Let’s get started on week 7.

Action #7:  Share How You Solve Problems

Everyone has problems.  Some people are miserable because of their problems.  Everyone cares about their problems, not your problems.

This week, focus on how you solve other people’s problems.  Share what you do to relieve the problems and people with those problems will be VERY interested in you and what you do.

Often I hear people say, “Sounds great, but I don’t want to serve others or be a do-good person.  I want a great life, good income and less stress.”  Well, guess what?  Serving others serves you.   It is the best way to achieve a great income and an amazing life with less stress.   Most businesses make money because they deliver a service or product that solves a problem and make someone’s life better.

The truth is, creating an amazing life, one where you earn the salary you deserve, have less stress, and enjoy what you do, usually revolves around solving the challenges or problems of others — be it a boss, a customer or a vendor.

Solving the problems of others creates joy, interest and fun.  Isn’t that something you are looking for in your next position?  Share what problems you solve and people will call you.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 6

It is week 6 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Did you try something you “hate?”  If not, revisit last week’s action.  If you did, you are ready to move on to the next assignment.

Action #6:  Jazz it Up

“Variety is the spice of life.”

What does this saying mean to you?  I believe it is about being creative and can easily be achieved by:

• changing your patterns of behavior, or
• driving to the store using a different route, or even
• buying a pen with green or purple ink if you always use black.

Breaking a pattern or changing a habit allows you to see things in a different light.  Eat a new type of food or take a walk in a new park.  You will add new and memorable experiences to your world.

A client of mine drove to the grocery store via a different route, saw a sign, explored the company and landed a job she loves earning 25% more.  WOW!  This happened when she added simple variety.   She changed up her drive to the store by going to the stop light in lieu of the stop sign.  Add a little or a lot of spice to your life.  Create variety.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 5

It is week 5 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Last week’s action was all about trusting your instincts.  Did you have an occasion to use your gut to help make a decision?  Let’s move on to this week’s action.

Action #5:  Do What You Hate

Remember when someone tried to convince you to “try the green beans, you might like them?”  Interesting and fun experiences can and do come from trying the things you think you dislike.

As an adult, since you don’t have a parent telling you to eat new stuff or try new things, you must do this for yourself.  Again, this is about stepping out of your comfort zone.  If you never try something simply because you believe you will not like it, you may miss some very interesting and exciting things.  The blessing in doing something you “hate” is that it helps promote flexibility.  Even if you try something and didn’t end up enjoying it you expanded your experience.  Go ahead — just try it.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 4

It is week 4 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Last week’s action included facing your fears.  Did you write down your fear(s) and your plan?  Are you ready for the next action?

Action #4:  Follow Your Instinct

You have amazing internal wisdom, aptitude, talent and gifts.  Your creator blessed you with these.  Unlock them — be more impulsive and less robotic.  Examine what you do well and what you enjoy doing.

If something comes up, try it!  Be flexible and disciplined at the same time.  Be aware of the things that come up naturally and how they make you feel.  See beyond your schedule, your job boards and your past experience.

When new things arise, take a few minutes and:

• assess the value of the opportunity
• recognize the time and energy the opportunity requires
• ask yourself if the activity will help or hinder your journey

Listen to your heart and gut, your instinct is not in your head.  Follow your instinct.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 3

It is week 3 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Did you schedule time for something new last week?  Did you follow through?  Ready to move on to the next action?

Action #3:  Face Your Fears

What are your fears?  Lower pay, being judged, not being enough, ridicule or <fill in the blank>?  Write it down.

FEAR is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real.

Fear is often driven by ego.  Doing something different feels difficult and therefore your ego says, “Stop! This isn’t safe!”

Be bold.  Have courage.  Write down your fears.  Then write down:

• the worst thing that could happen if your biggest fear occurred.
• the odds of this actually happening.
• what you would do if the worst occurred.  How would you handle it?
• what you might gain in the situation.

Now you have a plan if your fear becomes reality.  You are prepared to face your fear and to move on.  Move on.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 2

It is week 2 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

How did week 1 go?  How many new people did you meet?  Ready for the next action?

Action #2:  Take On Something New and Rekindle a Hobby

Spend at least one hour per week on something new and an hour on a hobby you rarely had time for when working.  Add these to your schedule.  Do them at a time you expect to be available even after you have secured your new job/position.

It is up to you to make time to explore new things and do things you enjoy.  If your hobby is expensive and does not fit your current budget, find a way to connect with or enjoy your hobby at a lower cost.

I love golf, but in the New England winter there is no golf.  What do I do?  I read books about golf, watch videos, and putt on my carpet.  I also play rounds of golf mentally.  Did you know there was a POW who played a perfect round of golf every day for years in captivity?  After he was released and able to play golf again, his game was great.  A tight budget is not an excuse for not investing your time in something you enjoy or in learning something new.  Invest.

Take action. Post a note and share your thoughts on how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

Getting your résumé noticed and in the hands of the right person is tough.  You can’t afford to waste time or make mistakes.

Boring, plain and empty résumés don’t grab attention and they don’t get read.  If you want to get an interview, you must gain favorable attention.

Are you ready to be happy, make the money you deserve and land your dream job?  Then it is time to avoid the BIG mistakes.

Are you making the biggest mistake?

Failing to address the problems you solve is among the biggest mistakes employers note when talking about résumés.  Hiring managers don’t have time nor do they want to stop and try to figure out if you can solve the problem most important to them.  Grab their attention by sharing how you can solve their problem!

Here are 3 tips to avoid making this mistake:

1. Use all your fire power to quickly and clearly identify what you can do for the employer.

2. Set your résumé apart by telling the reader about the extraordinary manner or method you use to solve problems.

3. Offer an unambiguous picture of what your new boss will experience when working with you as you solve the problems.

Finally, it is not enough to have a great résumé.  You must also be able to avoid this BIG mistake during an interview. If you’re boring or never gain the interviewer’s attention with the problems you solve, you won’t be in the running for the job.

Is a résumé mistake keeping you stuck in a job you have out grown?  Will your résumé knock you out before an interview even occurs?

Do you have a résumé comment or a question?

Please post it below.

You’ve made it to the final “B of Interviewing!”  You’ve stuck with it till the end . . . and, that is exactly what the final “B” is all about.

What is the last “B?”

Be persistent.

Companies take from days to weeks to make decisions.  Decision time varies depending on a number of factors.  Perhaps there weren’t enough great candidates; perhaps there were too many.  The decision maker may be traveling or some crisis in the business may take priority.  Don’t give up.  You’ve already asked when and how to follow up.  Use the information.  Now, I’m not saying to call them every day for a week — unless you’re told its okay to do so.  I am saying you need to follow up until the trail is cold or until you’re told the position is filled.  Even at that point, you should ask if there are other openings for which you would be qualified.

So, there are the “B’s of Interviewing,” from my keyboard to your eyes.  If you follow these points and do the work, you are much more likely to stand out in the candidate pool.  Prepare, practice and present.  Most of all, it’s important to be yourself.  Joining a company where the fit is right is magic!  If you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.

Good luck!

-Mark Key is a retail professional known for driving results in diverse and challenging retail segments.  Mark’s interviewing insights come from companies big and small — having worked with organizations with just a few employees to Fortune 100 companies.

The next “B” of interviewing is:  Be prepared.

Being prepared involves several things:  knowing the company, knowing your stuff and knowing how to present it.

I always ask candidates what they know about my company and am surprised by the number of times I hear, ” . . . not much . . .”, “. . . nothing, really . . .”, or, worst of all, “I really haven’t had time to research.”  Really?  When your cell phone has more computing power than the one used in the Manhattan Project, enough to stay connected to several hundred people simultaneously, the ability to shop or get a dinner reservation at a moment’s notice and you didn’t have time to research?  If you aren’t interested in the company, the employer won’t be interested in you.

What should you know to be prepared?  You should know:

• The history of the company and what the company does.
• Their competitors and their competitive advantage (and their weaknesses, for that matter).
• How your skills and experiences match the requirements.

Use company contacts, social media, internet research, stock market information and, even the library, as your sources.

Next — knowing your stuff.  An effective candidate speaks to his resume without looking.  You remember the details and can recite them.  You know the steps you took to drive sales to record highs in the Atlanta division in 2009.  You remember the names of your supervisors, the years you won awards and why you received them.   In my book, a candidate that gives me different information than what is reported on an application or resume has trouble in the integrity department.  Is it fair?  It doesn’t matter.  It is what it is.  Knowing your stuff keeps you out of trouble.

Last, you must not only know your stuff, but also know how to present it.  Great information and big opportunities have been lost in poor presentations. My advice?  Practice.  Even well paid, experienced speakers practice constantly.  Think about it.  Interviewing is something we rarely do.  It takes skill to speak to seldom used information in front of total strangers.

My advice on how to get better?  Go to the internet and find the 100 most common interview questions.  Put them in a word processing document and answer them.  Once you’ve answered them, find someone with which to practice.  It could be your spouse, significant other, neighbor or someone else with whom you’re comfortable and, most importantly, will give you honest feedback.  Have them ask the questions while you practice answering them until your presentation is smooth and natural.

Once you know the company, know your stuff and know how to present your stuff, you will be much more confident.  This confidence helps you relax.  When you are more relaxed, you are more yourself.  Your confidence will show!

Next week, we dive into Being Interested . . . are you?

-Mark Key is a retail professional known for driving results in diverse and challenging retail segments.  Mark’s interviewing insights come from companies big and small — having worked with organizations with just a few employees to Fortune 100 companies.