A Handshake Away!

Over the past few months you have submitted literally hundreds of resumes, but have nothing but frustration to show for your efforts. You feel like giving up! Please DON’T!

You may only be a few clicks or a few handshakes away from your next job. Approximately 8-10% of American workers have given up looking for jobs and you know what? They have not found one.

Here are just a few quick tips:

• Revisit your plan - Stop doing the things that do not get you the results you are looking for.
• Set goals and track your progress. www.jibberjobber.com is a great way to track your search.
• Market your value. Start a website, blog, ask and answer questions on LinkedIn.
• Strengthen your network. This is the “hidden job market.”
• Stay positive! This is more important than anything you can do in your job search.

As you continue your job search it is important to remember that everyone you meet could potentially hold the key to your next job.  Be ready, you may be a handshake away!

To Toot or Not To Toot

Ever since we were young kids we were told never to brag on ourselves.  Humility was the key to success.  Well, once I lost my job I was told that it is important to express your value proposition to the company interviewing you.  “Why should we hire you?”  What are you going to offer that will help ease our pain? 

There are a couple of commonly used business acronyms--SOAR, (situation, opportunity, actions and results) or PAR, (Problem, Action and Results).  Both of them refer to an exercise focused on having you state what you did specifically to solve a problem.  This means you have to craft an answer that showcases your abilities, but in a way that is not perceived as bragging. 

Many of the people I coach find it difficult to talk about themselves.  All they can hear in their heads is the voice of their mother or father telling them it’s not nice to brag or “toot your own horn.”   I agree with your parents, but if you want a job, there are times when you must be prepared to blow your own horn. 

I am not talking about becoming boastful or a blowhard.  I am talking about a little smooth jazz, not hard rock.  When asked to talk about your accomplishments or value it is important not to focus solely on yourself, but also on others on your team who helped you achieve the results or helped you solve a problem.

Example:  Sales were down 10% and I recognized the opportunity to increase sales by revising our sales process. With the help of a solid sales team and the efforts of our customer service department we were able to increase sales by 5% the first quarter of implementing the new sales process, and 12% overall by year’s end.  Smooth jazz, not hard rock.

Like with any instrument you need to spend time practicing, so pick up your horn and start tooting it.  Remember, blow it calm and easy.

Down and Out vs Up and In

There is a lot of talk about joblessness these days, but I don’t know if people who have had a job consistently over the past few years can really appreciate what those who do not have a job are going through.  For many job seekers each day is filled with the dread of sending out resumes and cover letters.

Some job seekers have been looking for months and some for years.  After so much time spent searching with no tangible results, fear, anxiety and hopelessness fills all the empty spaces in their hearts and minds.

The other day I met a friend of mine who has been out of work for over two years now.  My heart broke as I heard her recount the submission of all the countless resumes and the failed interviews. Her face was so downcast. I could see the pain in her face.  She's a detailed person with great communication skills.  Unfortunately, after all of the time off she forgot that she has so much to contribute to an organization.

Seth on the other hand, is an energetic and intelligent man who was able to overcome the age barrier and the employment gap to secure a new job after 2 years of being out of work.  So it is possible to find a job, but Seth would tell you, the key is focus and a positive attitude.

Over the next few weeks I want to share some words of encouragement for all of you who are still looking for work.  I know it is difficult, but I want to encourage you to not give up and lose hope.

Feel free to post a comment or a question regarding your job search and I will do my best to help.

Time goes by so fast!

My wife has most, if not all, of the photos she has taken over the years on her computer and they cycle through as a screen saver.  There are two photos that pop up in the slideshow, and now almost bring me to tears. One is of my son, Jordan and me by a fountain at Marine World—I am holding him in my arms. The other is of Ashtyn, my daughter and I curled up on a swing set during a warm summer day.

I remember when I would carry both my son and daughter on my shoulders.  Now that they are 20 and 15, I obviously cannot carry them on my shoulders.  It’s amazing that as I think back I can almost feel their weight on my shoulders.  How my daughter used to slap my bald head and laugh and my son thought my head was his personal snare drum. 

What I wouldn't give just have the opportunity to put them on my shoulders again.  The good news is that I can still curl up with my little girl on the couch and laugh with her while watching some of our favorite movies together.  My son and I do a lot of hugging.  I am so blessed that he is the initiator of most of the hugs.

I have to admit that sometimes I take these moments for granted, like they will always be there.  As the years go by, I realize that the intimacy between a father and his children will change as they go out on their own.

They say you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.  Enjoy all of the golden moments you can, don’t take them for granted and don’t wait until they have vanished like a vapor to savor and appreciate each one.