Jeff's Top 7 Job Search "Suggestions"

Jeff’s Top 7 “Job Search” Suggestions:                                     October, 2011

(Note: the following suggestions assume that you have an excellent resume, you are prepared for behavioral interview questions, your background check will pass inspection, etc.)

1.   NETWORK, NETWORK, and Network some more…

a.    It’s a known fact that most people land in jobs today directly because of their networking.  Some career experts suggest that you spend 80% of your time networking or 32 hours in a 40 hour week, and the other 20% online researching companies and applying for jobs.  Understand WHAT networking is, HOW it works, WHEN to do it, WHO to do it with, and WHERE to do it.

b.    Network resources include LinkedIn, Face book, and Twitter.  www.networkingphoenix.com is also a great site to find free and paid networking meetings in the Phoenix, AZ area; www.careerconnectors.org is one of the premier networking groups in the Phoenix area.  Dave Sherman (www.daveshermanspeaks.com) is known in Phoenix as the “networking guy” and often has workshops and seminars to teach the networking process.

2.     KNOW THYSELF…or know your strengths and abilities, know what you want, why you want it and be able to give someone a confident, well-rehearsed 30-60 second elevator pitch on those things.

a.    Can you tell someone what “personality” type you are?

b.    Can you give them objective or 3^rd party proof about your strengths and what kind of job you fit best into?

c.     Do you have a story or example for most questions asked of you?

3.    DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REMAIN POSITIVE AND REALISTIC during your job search.

a.    For most this means getting proper sleep and exercise (regain your routines);

b.    Hang around with positive, energetic people and don’t allow yourself to get sucked into negative conversations about jobs, the economy, etc.

c.     Read books or articles that energize you;

d.    Listen to music that motivates you, reinforces your passion, etc.

e.    Remember, it’s all about Framing & Perspective;

4.   LOOK AT JOB SEARCH FROM THE “EMPLOYERS OR HIRING MANAGERS” PERSPECTIVE…

a.    Most people in job search today look at their job search from THEIR perspective versus the EMPLOYERS perspective.  (Human nature versus common sense); 

b.    Make points and ask questions from THEIR perspective;

c.     Find out what THEY are looking for in this position and see if and how you are a good match or fit.

d.    Know what hiring managers are looking for in this hire…do the job?  A good fit?  Coachable or trainable?  How long will it take to get up and running?  Are you going to leave the job when you find a better one? 

5.   DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE OTHER 319 RESUMES THEY ARE LOOKING AT…

a.    Know some things that make you different and be able to tell a story about that if asked.

b.    Do things differently than most people.

c.    Understand the importance of body language in effective communication, study shows 7% words, 38% tone and how we say what we say, and 55% body language.

d.    Doing #’s 1-4 above will help differentiate you from the crowd.

6.   HAVE A JOB SEARCH PLAN AND WORK YOUR PLAN !!

a.    Do your research and know what you want and where you will fit best.

b.    Have a weekly job search plan with goals, monitor your activity and make changes as needed.  (Most people DO NOT have a plan)

c.    Plan on putting in serious time and effort to be successful in job search, author Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour rule in his best seller “Outliars.” 

7.   UNDERSTAND THE RULE OF 3.2 !!

a.    In his book “48 Days to the Work You Love” Dan Miller says that “the average American will be working in their job for 3.2 years and then will be looking again.”

b.    Will you be ready for your next opportunity?

c.    Manage what you can control and don’t worry about what you can’t (3%).

d.    Always continue to network (physics example).

 Application Question: 

At the end of the day, the real question is do you buy any of these strategies or suggestions and if you do, how are you going to apply them?  Or will you continue living out the classic definition of insanity…”Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  It’s up to you…make it happen!