| Experience shows that these twenty-one tips are | | | | a Wednesday morning 6:30 a.m. coffee meeting - |
| important in your job search. Now that you've | | | | just to B.S. and talk about corporate arena stuff like |
| recovered from the shock of losing a job through no | | | | those guys do. If you don't know any executives, |
| fault of your own, you need to get a jump on the | | | | just go to Starbucks. or Panera's and see who is |
| millions of others who are in the "job market." | | | | meeting there that time of day. See if you fit in with |
| These strategies will help you find a new job and | | | | someone already doing this. If you don't find anyone, |
| relieve a lot of the "workplace stress" that was | | | | set your lap top on a table and put up a table tent |
| transferred to your private life when you got the | | | | card with an intriguing question business ...o "Want to |
| pink slip. | | | | Hang Onto Quality Employees?"o "Want to Eliminate |
| 1. Do something that you've had in mind over the | | | | Personnel Turnover?"o "Want to Add a Million to Your |
| years but didn't have the freedom to try. Give this a | | | | Bottom Line?"o "What's Your Plan for Landing that |
| higher priority since you're "out of work." You might | | | | Big Account?"o "Having Trouble with Absenteeism?" |
| not have another chance like this. The radical change | | | | Well, you get the idea. People will stop to see what's |
| of pace will refresh you and prepare you for the | | | | going on. Tell them to have a seat. The brainstorming |
| grueling job search. Face it. Everyone finds a job | | | | is about to begin. One guy did this kind of thing at |
| sooner or later, and it's worth a lot to use some of | | | | Starbucks and within a couple weeks he eleven |
| this down time to achieve one of your dreams. Find | | | | regulars meeting with him for business coaching. |
| a way to get the education; raise the money, and | | | | 12. Consider becoming a business coach. Learning to |
| delegate responsibilities. Give it a try. | | | | coach is relatively easy for someone with your |
| 2. Take classes for new skills. Learn a language. Sign | | | | experience. You have years of experience to go with |
| up even if you think you'll be too busy with your job | | | | the coaching skills. This is worth a lot to people who |
| search or in a new job. The new language skills might | | | | want to make money or get promoted. Go on line |
| be just your ticket for the new job you're seeking. | | | | and check out the coaching associations. |
| You can quit the class if those other plans come | | | | 13. Attend the monthly meetings of organizations |
| together. | | | | where you're likely to meet corporate executives. |
| 3. Don't be too picky in accepting a job. Take what | | | | Meeting with The Society of Association Executives |
| comes along, because it's easier to find a new job | | | | will give you a chance to meet association staff who |
| while employed than it is to find a job when you're | | | | know the key players in your industries |
| out of work. While in our "temporary job," schedule | | | | 14. Donate services to a non-profit. Small nonprofits |
| time to keep the job search alive. When a "real job" | | | | cannot afford to hire your level of experience. You'll |
| comes along, the person who interviews you will | | | | feel like a genius with "everyday" ideas; the charity |
| understand that you've taken the interim | | | | will profit along with the people they serve, and you'll |
| employment to stay active in the marketplace and | | | | add to your own experience and resume material. |
| broaden your perspective. | | | | 15. Scour business journals, newspapers, and on line |
| 4. Ask self-employed friends to let you use office | | | | for companies that have a change in upper |
| space so you have a place "to go to work" on your | | | | management. Anytime there is a change, there's a |
| job search. Getting dressed in business attire and | | | | job opening: deaths, promotions, departures, etc. If |
| spending eight hours a day will zoom your chances, | | | | the president, vice-president, or manger is significant |
| and professional telephone answering will showcase | | | | enough for changes to be announced in the media, |
| your professionalism. | | | | someone in house will take that job, and that leaves |
| 5. Get a business card that will serve you in | | | | an opening wherever that person came from. Don't |
| networking and job search. You don't have to | | | | be picky about the kind of job change identified, you |
| register a business to start using a logo on your card. | | | | cannot predict what opens up when the company |
| Just name a business; get a card, and you're | | | | shifts people around after the announced change |
| professional. Use your friend's office number and | | | | occurs. |
| address on your cards. Pay for the cards. The free | | | | 16. Social networks like Linked In can connect you |
| cards or those you print at home are terrible. | | | | with people in industries of interest. If your new |
| 6. Update your resume. Find out the currently | | | | connections don't have specific job openings |
| preferred style and content for the industries you're | | | | themselves, ask them to tell whether there have |
| targeting. Purchase a good reference book at the | | | | been any changes, then send a resume to the top |
| bookstore. Get someone knowledgeable to review | | | | name you can identify--not HR. |
| your draft, and be open to accepting advice. Put that | | | | 17. Check with the National Association of Personnel |
| Microsoft Word program to work and have different | | | | Services. Ask for a referral to the management |
| resumes for different industries -- perhaps a new | | | | recruiters for your industries. They're always looking |
| resume for every job opportunity. | | | | for people with talent to fill current or future job |
| 7. Target companies and industries that are laying off | | | | opportunities. |
| people. An organization's downsizing doesn't mean | | | | 18. Write articles for on line and in print association |
| they won't hire people to fill certain jobs or to fill old | | | | journals. You know a lot more than you think, so |
| jobs at lower wages. Some companies have a hiring | | | | writing will be easy for you. Observe the type articles |
| freeze, but others will continue as usual. Stable | | | | that journals like, then ask the editors for editorial |
| companies have to be ready for the turn-around. | | | | calendar so you can submit articles that fill their |
| 8. Consider moving to a new location. This is a tough | | | | planned needs. It's even easier to get articles |
| decision with the big downturn in housing markets, | | | | published on line. Simply submit them to sites that are |
| but a good job in a new city is feasible if you're | | | | used by e-zines and e-newsletters as they search for |
| willing to do what it takes with rent, family | | | | articles. Before you know it your articles are |
| separation, family moves, spouse job changes, etc. If | | | | everywhere, and every article has your byline at the |
| an interviewer asks you if there are any restrictions | | | | end. |
| on relocating, you'd better be prepared to say that | | | | 19. Write a book. It's far easier than most people |
| you and your family are ready for the opportunity | | | | think. How many published authors are among those |
| that is a fit for you and the employer. The immediate | | | | thousands of job seekers with whom you compete? |
| job might be local, but big companies need people | | | | Not many. If you refer to "your book" or send a |
| who can go where the job requires. Remember that | | | | copy with the resume, you will be noticed. |
| part about taking the first good job that comes | | | | Guaranteed! |
| along. Consider it an adventure and a resume building | | | | 20. Publish a tips booklet. Within a couple of weeks |
| strategy if you really don't like the idea of a move. | | | | you can publish a tips booklet with the "Top 21 Ways |
| 9. Learn to interview. Your resume might get you an | | | | to ..." You can help thousands of others with material |
| interview, but the interview is what lands the job. | | | | from your years of experience. Publishing tips |
| There are several standard questions asked in | | | | booklets is inexpensive and impressive when sent as |
| interviews. Prepare answers ahead of time and | | | | an introductory item or as part of your resume |
| relieve the stress associated with such meetings. If | | | | packet. |
| you're not actively pursuing a company, fill your day | | | | 21. Use this unexpected time in your life to |
| becoming an interview expert. You'll be amazed at | | | | rejuvenate physically and spiritually. Hectic schedules |
| how strategic you can get with your responses. You'll | | | | and overwhelming responsibilities have kept you |
| be able to redirect and answer with ease such | | | | away for years, and you can get back on schedule |
| questions as: "Tell me one of your weaknesses." "Tell | | | | during this down time. You'll feel better about |
| me one big mistake you've made in your previous | | | | yourself during the job search, and you'll be more |
| job." And, you'd better figure out how to answer | | | | stable in your new job. |
| with a "weakness" or a "mistake" that puts you in a | | | | Schedule time for each technique that fits your style |
| good light for the new employer. | | | | and implement it as soon as possible. You can get a |
| 10. Join a mastermind group of job seekers, or start | | | | lot done if you're job-seeking 50 hours a week, |
| your own. Find a half dozen other unemployed | | | | matching the number of hours you worked at your |
| people; add a friendly HR person; ask a resume | | | | old job. Share your successes with others. |
| interview expert to join you even if you have to pay | | | | Dale Collie - author and speaker - Find more articles |
| someone, and meet weekly by bridge line. Tell each | | | | at |
| other about your goals, successes, and setbacks. | | | | Copyright 2009 - Dale Collie - All rights reserved |
| Discuss how you're handling family and financial | | | | Permission is given to publish this article in print or on |
| problems. Challenge each other to achieve goals each | | | | line if by line is included. You may edit for space or |
| week. | | | | audience as required. |
| 11. Hang out with some corporate executives. Maybe | | | | |