"The Only Thing That Remains Constant is Change"

So, I am at my current job for a year and a few months, and I've now received news that there is going to be a 5% reduction in force.  Needless to say, there are a lot of "non-value added" discussions taking place around the office.  Everyone is wondering if they'll get the call.

The first thing I tell people when they hear this news is that no amount of worrying, scheming, nail biting, trash talking, etc. is going to change what's going to happen.  HR folks are looking at workforce and numbers, and in a large company, they surely do not know who they are cutting by recommending that Dept X cut heads by 10% vs. Dept. Y who is told to cut by 5%.  That's when I tell people to remember that God is in control of the company as well as our lives.

Even with that being the case, it is prudent to get your job search "machine" in motion.  Since you've kept your resume up to date (HAHAHAHA), you're at least 2 weeks ahead of everyone else.  Make sure you begin contacting your professional acquaintances (hopefully, you've never let those relationships slide) and let them know what's going down, and that you'd appreciate any input they have on the job market.  Also, now is the time to locate a few of the key job sites for your profession, and use an RSS reader to subscribe to job listings in your field and area so that you can review the jobs pulled to your reader quickly without having to wade through the muck of a gazillion job listings.  Get your resume out on a few job boards, into professional associations' job banks, and most of all---NETWORK with others in your profession to learn of opportunities and what has been happening in your field, since you most likely got lazy/busy for all the time you've been gainfully employed.

But first of all.....deal with your feelings.  I've talked to a couple at my company that have been with the company for a long time (20+ years) who think it may be "their time" to go.   If that is you, you'll have more emotions to deal with that many of the others, but it isn't the end of the world, just the end of the world as you've come to know it.  It may be that you are about to embark on a new chapter of your life, even if you thought the book of your life had been finished ages ago.  For most who fit that category, the timing stinks, as you are probably struggling with mid-life issues anyway, and now, your job, the thing you may have thought defined you, is going away.  Your life isn't going away, but you may feel like it is.

For the rest of us, it will be an emotional time until all of the layoffs happen, even if we don't think we have anything to worry about.  Of course, now is the time we start thinking about the Dave Ramseys of the world who try to get everyone to get out from under their debt.  Heavy consumer debt can make layoffs even seem more like the end of the world.  Get your spending under control, because you might need some cash for a rainy day very soon.

All-in-all, the emotional part of a layoff seems hardest to deal with for me.  I'd almost prefer for it to happen as it did for me a few years ago---rumors of layoffs were all around, but I didn't see it coming until the boss called me into his office one Friday morning.

Bottom line:  ALWAYS be ready to find a new job, and ALWAYS keep your networks warm.  In this or any economy, none of us know when/if the boss will insist that we come to his office on Friday morning.

*Scratches Head

Every time I have to ask myself this kind of question, I realize that I have that much more maturing to do, but I'll ask anyway.....

Why is it that people who are out of work are reluctant to try new methods of job hunting?  I offer to help people where I live, and there seems to be few takers in a down economy.  I'm not a job hunting expert, but having done enough of it, had outplacement training a couple of times, etc., I have some insights and contacts that I'm happy to share with job seekers, but I get few serious requests.   (checks armpits---nope, nice and clean).

I especially get concerned about those who haven't had to look for a job in a long time (anything over 10 years, or as close as 5 years ago), as the "game" of job hunting has had all kinds of rule changes.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me implore you all again---be preparing for your next job while in the one you have, and if you find yourself out of work, be a guerrilla job hunter, working every angle at finding your next gig.  I feel deeply for people who are unemployed, and feel frustrated when I see them not aggressively searching with a variety of methods that are necessary in today's job hunting climate.

Networking in a Shaky Economy

If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I put networking at the top of the list---not just for job hunting, but at all times throughout your career.  Below is a short article reminding of how important it is during this tough job-hunting time.

Increase Your Networking Efforts During a Shaky Economy

If thinking about networking makes you reach for an antacid you are not alone. Even for social butterflies it can seem overwhelming. But painful or not, networking is the smart thing to do in a shaky economy.

Here are some networking tips to help you:
Start attending industry and business events. If you hate the thought of walking into a room of strangers, call the organizer and ask for a list of attendees. Usually they are happy to forward the RSVP list. Another approach is to simply arrive early and scan the name tags that are on the table. Invariably, you will see a few names of people you know.

Another advantage of arriving early is that you have an automatic icebreaker with the other early birds, "Looks like we're the first ones here." It also forces you into a small group that others will join as they arrive (rather than you having to break into their group).

If you arrive early, you can also strike up a conversation with the person behind the registration desk, who is often a good source of information about the organization, who's who, and who might be a good person for you to meet.

If group events make you feel like an awkward seventh grader at his first dance, bring someone with you. Ideally, choose someone who is outgoing (bonus points if he or she is well-connected). Another advantage of having a colleague along is that you get to sing the praises of each other to the people you meet-it's easier than talking about yourself. [I tell people that if you wanted to date a person that you see at a networking event, you'd find something to strike up a conversation about!  In this case, it's just your job and livelihood  :) ]

Then there is the good, old-fashioned lunch and breakfast. But don't wait to reach out to someone only when you need something. The best networkers know that you build your network before you need them. Get yourself in the habit of connecting with someone a few times a month. When you can help them out with some information, or make an introduction to someone who might be able to help them, they will value you as a  member of their network and will be glad to reciprocate.

Join a social networking service such as LinkedIn or Facebook. You can stay in touch with people you've met in a non-scheduled, casual way. You can search the site for people you know or ask friends to introduce you to others in their network.

When you network with someone, take notes about what they are interested in, what information they are looking for and actions they have taken for you (such as making an introduction). Whether you track your contact activity in a database management system such as ACT, or just keep a notebook, the important thing is to be organized and have a system for follow up. When I was changing jobs years ago, I kept a spiral  notebook with this information, so I could easily track who led me to whom. This way I could circle back and
thank them and give them updates on my networking progress. People who have taken the time to connect with you want to hear progress reports.as long as you are respectful of their time.

When you are networking don't make it all about you. Ask the other person questions that get them talking about themselves. People always enjoy being with someone who is a good listener. Ask questions such as "How did you get into your field?" "What interesting projects are you working on right now?"  "What organizations do you belong to?" "What do you do for fun?" You can often learn important things about your colleagues that will create a more trusting bond between you.

If someone does do something for you be sure to follow up with a thank you. A simple voice or email message of appreciation will assure them that you understand the unspoken rules of networking. What goes around does indeed come around. Not only can networking be good for hearing about job opportunities, it can be a rich source of long-lasting friendships.

-Joan Lloyd

Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce.

Joan Lloyd has earned her C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
<http://www.joanlloyd.com/> 

Networking Groups in DFW

Terrific Google Map of networking groups in DFW from Career Search Network.   There has to be one near you.    One or two good ones are all you'll need.  Don't know if it's available for other cities, but worth looking into.

 

www.careersearchnetwork.org

Job Hunting Presentation in Second Life

Just finished a live presentation in Second Life on job hunting and the use of social media in a job hunt.   Was a very fast hour, and had about 16 avatars/people in attendance.  I got some very nice comments on the presentation, and I sincerely hope that everyone will use what they have learned. 

Job hunting is and isn't the same as in "the past."   I talked a lot about the use of electronic media and how to aggregate job listings to save time looking for openings, but as usual, I came back to something that has never changed in job searching since the beginning--- networking.

Despite all of the wonderful tools and electronic gizmos, finding a job comes down to getting in front of a human and selling yourself.  Bottom line.   Electronic networking tools, fancy resumes, hours spent searching job openings will NOT net you a job.   They can only get you in front of another human....and then, the fun begins.

If I were to list what I consider the second most important thing in job searching (behind networking), it would be to practice, practice, practice your 30-2 min commercials (elevator speeches) until you were mumbling them in your sleep.   This is part of being able to interview well, which is where you win or lose a job offer.  If you know who you are and what you have to offer, and you couch it in "sales" terms ("here's what I can do for you"), you'll have a tremendous advantage over 90% of the rest of the population.

Being prepared for an interview is a book in itself, but being emotional prepared will help you even more.   Frankly, if you go into an interview so worried about getting the job that you can't function, you will fulfill your own prophecy.   Now I have been in some tight spots in my time---had no job/income and was interviewing---and those are tough.   I am blessed with not having debt, and that relieves a lot of pressure.  Of course, picturing my family scraping by because I'm out of work adds a tad more pressure.   I have had to learn the hard way that if I really trust that God will take care of me, I will relax in an interview and my thoughts will flow much better.   It's a test, or should I say like a test that we've all had in school (remind your kids of the kinds of tests adults take and the stakes of performing poorly on THOSE tests).   If you are prepared for the test, your stress level is much lower than if you know you're winging it.  Of course there could be a test that asks questions poorly (bad test design) or something you totally forgot, but that's where part 2 of preparedness comes into play---trust God.

No test, no interview is life ending.  Though we don't believe that we'll ever find another job as our last good job, honestly, we will.   I have often counseled job seekers with two words:  patience and persistence.  You must be patient, and you must never give up.   Since I like Star Trek, the analogy I offer is that of the Borg.  For those unfamiliar with Star Trek:  The Next Generation, the Borg are a race of cyborgs who are notorious for taking over and assimilating other races in the galaxy, and they are incredibly persistent.  Nothing seems to phase them...they just keep coming and coming.   Like the Borg, we must all keep pressing on to find the next job, and most of us need to work on our patience while we do that.

Cyborgs and virtual worlds like Second Life aside, the reality is that job hunting will continue to be the bane of our existence, at least until we land that next job. : )

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job

Once again, I'm passing on a blog entry from Rebecca Metschke at The Interview Edge in which she nails this issue. I have often said that I hate looking for a job, because I work too many hours looking for a job. It's inconceivable to me that anyone would only do a couple of hours of work per day on finding a job if they do not have a job. If you are working full time, have kids, spouse, and other activities, and you spend 2 hours at night looking for a job, that's more understandable (but you should still be creatively searching and networking during the day).

Could Your Job Search Strategy Use an Overhaul?

The other day I quoted Rich Karlgaard, who said that recessions unmask bad business models. As you’ll recall, he wasn’t just referencing companies…he was citing careers, too.

Those bad business models extend to job search strategies.

Remember the dot com bubble? Candidates in the technology sector were riding high. It wasn’t unusual for a person to decide to change employers on a Friday, make a few phone calls, and have a job offer the following week. Actually, it wasn’t uncommon for candidates to have 2-3 competing offers. No exaggeration.

Obviously, it’s always easier to look for work when it’s a seller’s market. If you could guarantee that you’d only have to look for work when the economy was humming along, you’d be in great shape.

Now, as we’re stuck in the ultimate buyer’s market, though, a lot of people are struggling to find work.

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job.

Most candidates will have to invest a lot of time and go the extra mile to get the results they want.

The problem is – a lot of people are still searching like it’s 1999. Government data indicate that active job seekers spend just 1.97 hours a day looking for work.

Less than two hours a day.

That’s a bad search strategy business model.

One sure path to becoming a discouraged worker…one of those people who has given up looking for work…is to spend less than 2 hours a day on a job search.

If your job search strategy is in need of an overhaul, the first place to look is how much time each day you’re devoting to actively looking for work. Be honest.

Don’t let fear, or worry, or pessimism – or simply not knowing what to do next – paralyze you. Channel all your energy and focus on the job at hand…which is to find a job.

It’s up to you. And you can do it.

http://blog.theinterviewedge.com/the_interview_edge/2009/09/could-your-job-search-strategy-use-an-overhaul.html

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

Using Twitter

I've done a couple of presentations now on the use of Twitter as a job-searching tool, and in both cases, when I asked the groups about using Twitter, I got blank stares (ok, a few people blinked).

Twitter is a "micro-blog" tool/site on which you can network (the magic word for job hunters) with people at companies you have an interest in and actually search (like Google) for job openings. People usually tell me they just don't get it and don't see any use for something like Twitter. Of course I agree with them when someone tweets about waiting in a doctor's office or sitting on their couch.

A very mind-stretching article on the use of Twitter (and why it will grow in importance) is at http://zikkir.com/it/12274, "10 Ways Twitter Will Change American Business" by Renato Leon | 22 September 2009. I thought I was informed, and I was surprised by a comment in his blog entry:

"Outdoor ads are used almost everywhere in the world because of their simplicity and the relatively low cost of creating them. Current estimates are that global outdoor-advertising sales will be a $30 billion business this year. One of the great weaknesses of older ad media, like outdoor-billboard marketing and newspaper display, is that results have been nearly impossible to quantify effectively. Twitter will change that."

Think of the applications of "instant blogging:" instant feedback on TV shows, ads, anything!

Presenting at Fort Worth American Society for Quality!

This Thursday, Sept 4, I will be presenting an overview of job hunting in 2009 called "Dynamic Job-Search Skills" and briefing ASQ members on "Social Networking Skills" for the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Society for Quality (http://www.asqfortworth.org/) . The sad part is that I only have 1.5 hours total to squeeze in 15 years' worth of experiences and knowledge.....but I love sharing with people about ways they can improve their job-search skills.

If you're in the neighborhood, drop in!

Retooling Yourself for the Future

by Rebecca Metschke

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

How marketable are you right now? What will you need to do to make sure you’re still relevant five years from now? 

When the economy is in recession, workers focus on their marketability. They’re either trying to hang on to their jobs or attempting to land new ones. Nobody wants to be deemed redundant, or expendable, or a weak candidate. Those are labels no one can afford to be tagged with. People spend time thinking about how they can shore up weaknesses and increase perceived value.

Unfortunately, though, when the job market finally rights itself, a lot of those same people will just as suddenly put thoughts about how to stay relevant on the back burner. And that will be a mistake.

Even when the economy begins expanding again, we’re still going to be looking at a dynamic job market. Remember back just a few short years ago when the market was red hot? People were still facing layoffs. Companies were still merging – or outsourcing – or streamlining operations – resulting in head count reductions. Of course jobs weren’t being lost at the pace they are now, but the point is…you’d better make sure you’re marketable.  

If you don’t keep up with the pace of change, you will always be vulnerable. (Emphasis mine.)

Your skill set needs to be broad and relevant. You need to be sure you’re making a meaningful contribution to the organization. You need to identify future trends early and understand what you need to do to adapt and thrive. 

This will require initiative on your part. Nobody’s going to do this for you; it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re as marketable as possible.

How Many Hours a Day Do YOU Search for Jobs?

Ok, for those who are totally out of work (no pay at all), I hope you wind up feeling like I do:  "I have to get a job soon, because this job of hunting for a job is killing me.  I spend 10-14 hours a day working on this job!"

I admit a become a bit maniacal when searching for a job, especially if I'm out of work.  Don't know about you, but the unemployment check isn't really cutting it.  I am very fortunate to be working a contract position 40 hours per week at the moment, but am very much looking forward to my next "full time" gig.   

I guess I'm easily shocked, but there are people in serious financial straights that I've met who spend the absolute "minimum" time looking for work.   I have heard of those who've spent a couple of hours in the mid-morning "looking for a job" by scanning the Internet job boards, maybe sending in a couple of resumes, then calling it a day.   The kicker:  some get angry that they aren't finding jobs.

A real job search campaign (yes, like, as in "marketing campaign") is a more than full time job.  A "day in the life" should look something like this:   up at the regular work time, eat and get dressed for work, begin making contacts (by phone, email, IM, etc....phone is best if you can't meet them in person), set up and go out on informational interviews, hit a networking group (just a couple each week), each lunch with a contact, do more of the same in the afternoon until 5pm, then, after dinner, scour the Internet job listings and apply for those that are possibilities (I use Google Reader to pull the job listings applicable to one location via RSS) and do some research on your targeted companies and look for contacts.   After sleeping my needed hours, get up and do it all over again.

Yes, it makes for a busy day, but I am making contacts, networking, researching, and generally busier than I would be at a "real" job.    Note the amount and time of day you should spent Internet job hunting---evenings after work hours for maybe a couple of hours.  My use of the RSS subscription and Google Reader helps me to lessen this time considerably.

I have had people tell me that this schedule is crazy, that that is "a lot of hours," and ask "why don't you relax some?"  Usually those comments come from people fully employed. : )

The truth is, you can burn yourself out while job hunting, but, I would venture to say that it's not the case with most job seekers.  Most probably fit the pattern of the few-hour job search on the Internet, followed by hours of frustration and anger because "no one is calling."  

By the grace and care of God, my last few job searches, using this kind of schedule, were 67, 35, and 14 days (even though I am currently in a contract job, the pay is about the same).   It isn't that I've earned this by working the plan outlined above; it's that I was faithfully doing what I know to do and allowing God to do His work.   I can't take credit for any of that.   I do believe, however, that if we put forth little or wasted effort on the wrong things in a job search, a) God will not bless our laziness and 2) even an atheist has no hope of getting a job by that puny of an effort.

Organizing your job search, spending your time working at the job of searching for a job full time, and doing the right things are the keys to shortening your search.  Need motivation?  Keep a picture of your spouse and children nearby.  You know you don't want to be lazy for their sakes, even if you don't care about yourself.

Using Twitter in Your Job Search

Came across this great article/resource on using Twitter to find your next job.  Yes, Twitter is very new and is catching on, so if you haven't gotten a free account yet, do so now.  When you are looking for work, every networking tool is one more possibility of finding your next job.

Twitter Tips: How to Use Twitter to Job Hunt

"If you're just using LinkedIn to job hunt, you're missing out on the power of Twitter. Here's expert advice on how to tweet your way to new contacts and opportunities."

http://www.cio.com/article/482324/Twitter_Tips_How_to_Use_Twitter_to_Job_Hunt

On the same page, there are other Twitter resources: Twitter: How to Get Started Guide for Business People, Twitter Etiquette: Five Dos and Don'ts, Twitter Tips: How And Why To Use Hashtags (#)

Hey, Send Me Your Resume...

I am still shocked every time I ask someone to send me their resume, and they reply that they need to get it together/update it.   Bottom line of this blog entry---ALWAYS HAVE YOUR RESUME UP TO DATE AND "ON YOU!"   No job is ever totally secure.   I could quit here, but I'm on a roll....

It takes so little time to update your resume regularly.  You probably spend more time completing stupid Facebook surveys than keeping this essential document up to date.   It amazes my that especially in the current economic climate some people are not working on their resume.  

As I ask those who don't want to "work" on updating their resume, "would you at least keep a list of major accomplishments, with details, at home, in the event you find yourself suddenly out of work.  In so many cases today, you may be called to HR, terminated, and told, "don't bother going back to your desk to collect your personal belongings; we'll send them to you.  Security is waiting to escort you out of the building."  Ouch.   Shame on you if you aren't ready with all of your accomplishments listed and ready to put on your resume to begin the sales process that is job hunting!

I have talked to too many people who agree that they should update their resume, that it has been YEARS since they've done so.  In an attempt to teach them the importance of keep their resume up to date, I ask a few simple questions....."so, what kinds of things do you think you'd put on your resume from your current job?"   Usual response:  "Oh, I don't know, I'd really have to think about what I've done here"...as though we can all remember things months or years ago in detail.  I'm glad I have a name tag at work, otherwise I think I'd forget my name.

Once you are unemployed from a job and you are away from it any length of time, you will not remember important details that will be major selling points in your next job hunt.

P.S.  With smart phones, USB drives, etc., why wouldn't you have an electronic copy of your resume on you at all times?  Why wouldn't you have your "job hunting" business card on you with your LinkedIn profile URL listed on it?

Don't Believe the Hype!

Is our economy challenged?  Yes.   Are we entering a second Great Depression?  Hardly.   If you listen to the local news media though, you'd think all hope is lost.

I just heard one of our local stations advertise tonight's installment of a series of stories they are running called "Survive in '09" (I have to wonder why they aren't encouraging to job seekers by calling their series "Thrive in '09").   Tonight's attention grabber was, "Let us show you who is actually hiring in North Texas."  The newswoman emphasized the "actually" as though there are few or no jobs to be had in a metropolitan area of 4 million people.

I have a friend from my previous job who was laid off a couple of weeks before I was, who recently told me that she was looking for work, but that there "just aren't any jobs out there."   Horse feathers.  I can't say for sure, but I think she may be listening to the local news hype. 

Several truths nullify the news stations' spin:  1) There are a lot of jobs being advertised (given that only 20-30% of jobs are actually ever advertised, there are many more than we even see), 2) our area is a major metropolitan area with several Fortune 500 companies headquartered here.  Are they challenged?  Sure.  Are they all shutting down?  Hardly.   But the #3 truth about job hunting is the most damaging to the news stations' dire soundings:  YOU ONLY NEED ONE JOB!   

My encouragement goes out to those who are out of work and haven't had much success in landing a new job.  I like to say that patience and persistence is what will pay off (along with a deep-seated faith in God in Christ).   A solid job-hunting strategy and marketing plan must be executed along with being patient and persistent.   My friend who said that there were no jobs also said that she was not spending at least 8 hours a day looking for a job.   This revelation makes me think that there are still plenty of people out there who aren't well-versed in modern job-hunting techniques.   (See Feb 23, 2009 post for more discussion on this.)

If all you do is hit the Internet looking for job openings, you may feel that there aren't many jobs (even though there really are quite a few).   If you deny that you are a product to be marketed, you will spend a long time unemployed.   If you continue to believe the hype of the news media, you will be allowing someone else to dictate the direction of your life and career.  

Great Networking Advice!

Wanted to pass this on from the HR Group of CareerConnection in Dallas (Thanks, Carole!  http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/HRCMG/message/2213)

*10 Tips for Successful Business Networking*

1. *Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine* and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2. *Be fully present*.  Be fully engaged and fully aware of the people you interact with. You can break this down into smaller, somewhat mechanical pieces -- listen well, respond promptly, maintain eye contact, etc.

3. *Come Early and Stay Late*  Inexperienced networkers come to meetings late and leave as soon as the speaker has finished. The best opportunities for networking are before the start of the formal program and immediately after the program.

4. *Hold volunteer positions* in organizations.  This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

5. *Ask open-ended questions* in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

6. *Become known as a powerful resource for others*.  When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7. *Have a clear understanding of what you do* and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

8. *Be able to articulate what you are looking for* and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help you?" and no immediate answer comes to mind.

9. *Follow through quickly and efficiently* on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

10. *Give before you get. *Pro-actively giving may seem like a cost, and it may require you to be a little extra patient as well, but in the end, the reciprocal support I receive, simply by offering to help people who aren't asking for it, is overwhelming. It builds tremendous loyalty and respect.
_____________________
If you're read only one or two of my posts, you know how important I consider networking.  This is a very concise summary of the major tenets of the corporate networking game.   

Finally Added a Blog Counter

It's nice to know if anyone's out there seeing this blog.....I write for me, but I write for other job seekers as well. There's a lot of hoopla on the news about the terrible state of the economy, and I hope that my common-sense approach to job seeking and the ups and downs of job seeking resonate with others who are on a mission to land their next job. As I've said before---there may be millions of capable people out of work, but you only need ONE job!

On the subject of numbers.....the philosophy of "I'll mass mail my resume to get a job sooner" is a no-win approach. In the sales world, it's a game of numbers, but in the job-seeking world, it's about quality first, and numbers of quality---send resumes only to jobs in which you believe you'd be interested and reasonably close to being qualified.

I've seen the ads for mass mailing of your resume to 50,000 recruiters and HR departments. Of course, that's a numbers game, and the company sending out the resumes for you (for a fee), will keep their end of the bargain---your resume will get sent out to 50,000 employers or contacts. The problem is---are there 50,000 jobs out there at which you'd be willing to work? And in your city or state?

There is no substitute for face-to-face, phone, and Internet networking. Mass mailings do not reach your target audience, nor will it necessarily reach your target companies.

Weekends

So, you're hunting for a new job, and it's the weekend. What are you going to be doing? Since life is not "normal," it may be hard to really rest. I do recommend that you force yourself to take some time off from the job hunt to do what you like, spend some time reconnecting with God, exercising, etc. You will run yourself into the ground very quickly if you ignore the reality about your need for regular rest and recharging.

The weekend should also be used to review and revise your job-hunting strategy, applying to jobs you didn't have time to in the past week (if a job has been advertised for more than a week or two, your chances of getting an interview are slimmer, but not impossible), doing some Internet research on your target companies and/or industries, and setting up your plan for the next week (contacts to be made, lunches, networking group meetings, etc.). Steven Covey refers to recharging as "sharpening the saw"---"Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have--you." Recharge your batteries, renew your spirit, and get ready to dive into the job hunt again early in Monday morning.

Weekends are great for getting renewed, but depending on your financial situation, you may have to rely on less "rest" than a weekend when you have a job and may feel more stress, because you cannot contact prospective employers (weekends are a good time for working LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites). God set up every seven days as a day of rest, and it's clear that we all need the cycle of winding down every week and refreshing to be able to attack the next week with all cylinders running.

Planning and executing your job-search strategy helps to keep you from just generating a lot of activity and instead helps you focus your activity on producing the results you want---landing a job. If you're spiritually, mentality, and physically worn down, you'll have a hard time executing even the greatest job-search plan effectively.

Another Manic Monday

Just thinking what this week will entail -- job hunting, starting a part-time instructor job....yeah, that'll be about 80 hours worth of work : )

How many job hunters really put in a full day's work into job hunting (8 hours a day)? It's unbelieveable that anyone would send in a few resumes to jobs on job boards and call that job hunting, yet I know it happens. Without starting a part-time job later today, I would have a minimum of 50 hours of job hunting work a week, and that's a conservative estimate.

I've just spent a few weeks (that's right, WEEKS) making sure my marketing materials are "just right"---or at least ready to be tested---so that when I go hit my best contacts, I'll look like I have everything together and am articulate about who I am and for what I am looking. For those of you who've been forced out (retirement not withstanding), please take the time to process your feelings first (could be a couple of days or weeks), get your marketing materials together (resume, business cards, "elevator" speeches, etc.) and THEN hit your best contacts. Too many times, people go to the best contacts they know of/find first, and are unpolished and look unorganized. These people may want to help you, but if you can't succinctly articulate what you've done and are looking for, chances are they'll walk away not knowing of any way to help you, even if they'd like to.

More on contacts later. Time to get ready to go to the new part-time job.

Sunday Nights...

I don't know if any other unemployed people feel this way, but Sunday nights bring out a mix of emotions. It's that "oh, I don't have to be in at 8am" feeling, following by that "oh, I don't have to be in at 8am" feeling.

My house is quiet---everyone has gone to bed---and I'm sizing up what the week holds: some career networking meetings, lunch tomorrow with a professional contact I've known for several years, and most of all, HOPE.

For me, hope comes from God. I have no way to manufacture it in myself (and believe me, I've tried!). I don't watch TV news and don't read newspapers, as they are the town criers who are telling everyone that the sky is falling. I read somewhere years ago (perhaps in What Color is Your Parachute?) that even in the worst of economies (and the US has been in much more difficult times that the current one--back in the late seventies and early eighties when unemployment was higher and home-loan interest rates were ridiculous), one truth remains--YOU ONLY NEED ONE JOB! That's right. There may be millions of people looking for work, but you need only one job, not one million, so your odds are pretty good of finding one.

I've found a lot of jobs posted on the job boards (so someone is hiring), and I answer those, but I am working on building my marketing materials and my network so that more than just one person (me) is looking for jobs for me. My church (400-500 people) ran a bulletin insert today for those looking for jobs, listing the 10-second "elevator" speech with contact information, so my network just grew by an additional couple of hundred people.

The one thing I think most job hunters have an ongoing struggle with is the range of emotions and the frequency of their change that job seekers have to manage. You have to be positive to keep pushing the search for jobs, and you have to be positive to interview and network effectively. None of this is easy, I know from several job-hunting experiences, and I also know that I cannot keep all of this under control outside the love of Christ.

Sometimes, you just never know...

Sitting at the local community college filling out paperwork for a part-time adjunct instructor position, a nice man in a suit sat down next to me, looking like he was ready for an interview. He asked if I was going to do some training facilitation for the college, and I said yes. He asked me if I was going to be part-time or full time, and I said part time....he then asked about my background (alarms should have been going off in my head by now), and I told him that for the past 4 years, I have been a Training Manager for a logistics company in town. I asked him if he was here for the same......nope: he was the Vice President of the Continuing Ed Services for another branch of the college.

He smiled and told me about the trainer certification at his branch of the college and wanted to know if I might be interested in facilitating some of their courses. I was delighted! Just up my alley. He pulled out his card to give to me (and I set my pocket on fire pulling mine out), and he said a couple of times during the remaining conversation, "Call me." I assured him I would (and have).

All this narrative to say that you should always be networking everywhere you are.....being friendly and talking to people costs nothing, and you never know who might sit down next to you. : )