job search techniques

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Written by: Dave Sparkman

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you KNOW you should do something…but you just don’t feel like it!?! And maybe you’ve even done the task before…you KNOW you CAN do it…but you just don’t feel like it!?! Or perhaps earlier in the day you may have felt like doing the task…but now you just don’t feel like it!!!

If you’ve ever hit any of those three scenarios, or a combo of them, you’re a genuine, real, live human being!!

AND, we’re not even in junior high, and the statement “I don’t feel like it,” still fits for all of us.

The reality of how we live our lives has a LOT to do with how we FEEL about the activities and tasks with which we engage. If we try to ignore or “just do it” with an override command to our feelings, we will not be as successful as we could be with those tasks and activities. And going through a job transition does not give us a “pass” on our feelings. In fact, it exacerbates them!

After all, who just loves doing and redoing their resume for the 23rd time? Or, who looks forward with glee and excited anticipation about the search for the next networking prospect? Or, oh boy, I get to prepare for another interview and try to figure out what the interviewer is really looking for! Yep, if you’re like most people, job search tasks and activities easily cause us to “not feel like it!”

The good news?? We have some practical and tactical tips for dealing with a dose of the “I don’t feel like its!”

First, Scripture tells us quite a bit about our emotions and feelings. Proverbs 29:11 says, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” Proverbs 25:28 also warns, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Colossians 2:8 gives us insight into how we’re to achieve that wisdom and self-control with, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Second, particularly knowing that Scripture acknowledges our emotional weaknesses, we should let go of self-judgment. That is, knowing that to be a normal human being includes not “feeling like it” sometimes. I’m not saying we must give in to those feelings but instead acknowledge that feeling that way is just normal. Don’t be hard on yourself for experiencing those feelings but go right into our third point!

Third, understand and acknowledge that you are an active participant in your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. And realize once again that your thoughts can govern your emotions. KNOWING that you can and should do something CAN override what you feel about that something. We’ve all, at least occasionally, done something even though we didn’t feel like it. And we were all very glad we did it!

Fourth, think about that feeling you had after accomplishing the activity you mentioned above. Imagining the impact of an activity can be a powerful catalyst to help you move forward the next time you don’t feel like it.

Fifth, give yourself some accountability for that task you don’t feel like doing by sharing your plans with a friend or family member. Someone who can give you that encouragement to follow through with your intentions.

Sixth, start small. If pursuing that next networking contact feels overwhelming, then break down the steps you think it will take to achieve that end, and just go after the first step rather than the whole enchilada. Once you achieve that first step, go after the second. Be real and reasonable with yourself.

Seventh, preparing in advance helps quite a bit and plays in concert with the sixth point. If pursuing networking is a difficult task for you, line that pursuit up when your brain is freshest. Don’t let other “to dos” crowd out the “big rock” to do of networking. If you’re a morning person, do it in the morning. If you’re a night owl, then vice versa. Play out how God wired you to leverage your best to the task.

Finally, be real with your expectations. If you are a lousy networker, then don’t expect to hit with 20 people per week. Aim for 3-5 people per week. If typing up resume revisions drives you crazy, just go after the edits in small doses each day rather than attempting a complete overhaul in one sitting.

Overall, remember that gaining behavioral activation is about your consistent action, not just the initial feeling you may experience. Just because you don’t feel like it simply tees up the opportunity to do something about just that!

Little done often makes much! Blessings!

What is the Hidden Job Market?   It has become a “buzz word” but the concept is simple. It is estimated that 80% of jobs are filled by companies who never advertise the position and are filled by referral, or the “who do you know” method of recruitment. So while keeping an eye on job posting sites and LinkedIn is important, the percentages are in your favor if you utilize the hidden job market.

The best way to find the hidden job market is by:

• Identifying types of companies you are interested in
• Build a list of potential employers/companies
• Find specific contacts within the target employer
• Reach out to them directly

Identify the companies and organizations that you are interested in, and don’t rush this step. It only takes a few minutes to learn more about most businesses and get a feel for their culture. Don’t waste your time contacting a company that will not be a good fit for you.

There may be companies you are familiar with and many more that you have never heard of or considered. Many positions are located in smaller businesses, so be sure to extend your search past the Fortune 500 or you will miss out on some great opportunities (often with less competition).

Find specific potential employers by tapping into your network of personal and professional contacts, ask around and you will receive a wealth of information on not only where people are working, but where they are happily employed.

Search job sites for postings that meet your criteria. What types of companies are hiring for those positions? Start building a list. Utilize online tools such as LinkedIn, Hoovers or Glassdoor to find employers in a specific geographic location and industry. You can also check out the Chamber of Commerce, and Business Journal lists for more ideas.

Then, find the names of specific contacts within your companies of interest. Don’t just look up a hiring manager, find the department heads for your job title, people currently in the position, etc. With the reach of the internet today, finding a direct phone number or work email address is only a few Google searches away.

The final step is to reach out to each contact in a personal, engaging and professional manner. Without an “in” at the employer of choice, job seekers can still gain an advantage by contacting the company directly, even if there are no open positions posted.When it comes to finding out about jobs that are unadvertised, it often boils down to “knocking on doors, and tapping into the hidden job market is still by far one of the most effective ways to run a job search.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7926475

Many job seekers don’t think they need to learn sales skills or maybe they have a negative idea of what sales is all about. Knowing how to sell your yourself is one secret to getting hired faster. The best sales definition I’ve found is this: Sales is the transfer of excitement about something, to someone else. Or as John C. Maxwell put it, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” This holds true for your job search, resume writing and interviewing. Companies and recruiters need to feel the excitement you have about working in your career field AND for the opportunity to work at their company. I suggest that you do your due diligence and conduct research on the company (or companies) you are seeking employment with. If you show up and don’t know the company mission statement or what their values are, then you are not relaying your excitement.

Do you know YOU? Do you know why you want to work in the field you chose? Are you an expert in your field? Can you relay the excitement you feel to be lucky enough to do the work you do? Can you talk about yourself in a 2-3 minute “sales” pitch. When asked the simple question, “Tell me about yourself?” are prepared? Sales presentations require you to know your product (you and your skills) and with a lot of practice, knowing how to confidently relay this information. Do you practice your sales pitch? Do you practice in the mirror to make sure you don’t send the wrong signals during your sales presentation?

Write down a short history about your past jobs and your best skills. Research the company you will interview with and know their mission and vision statement. Take this information and practice talking about yourself in the mirror or in front or family and friends. Do this until you are comfortable talking about yourself! Preparation is so important in your sales pitch, don’t try and practice the night before your interview – it will be too late!

Sales is an important part of your job search, whether you enjoy sales, or public speaking, or not. It benefits you to improve daily and feel very comfortable selling your skills. Practice is the key. Know your product, know your customer and learn how to speak professionally about you! – It will definitely pay off during your job hunt!

Good Luck!

Ben M. Rivera is the author and blogger of “The Accidental Job Search Experiment” at www.BenMRivera.com where he blogs about his 13 year long job search and how he conducted a successful military transition. Ben M. has never been a recruiter, but he has conducted a successful job hunt while researching and tailoring winning resume’s. Ben M. has a B.S. in Occupational Education and holds the CISSP® information security certification. Sign-up at www.BenMRivera.blogspot.com and get the latest job help and military transition blog posts sent right to your email inbox!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7937467

If you are looking for a job, you’ll find it helpful to prepare a job strategy. Looking for job openings can be a very daunting affair. By preparing a strategy, you get a road map that needs to be followed. This plan helps you to assess and earmark how much time you should devote to each activity necessary for finding job openings.

Here are the tasks you’ll need to perform to make your job search strategy successful. I have prepared this realistic advice from my experiences of having worked as a recruiter for twenty years and the success stories of many job seekers and human resource professionals.

If you are looking for a job, you need to work from Monday to Friday, from eight to five to find a fresh job. That gives you forty hours per week, devoted to finding job openings that best match your qualifications and skills.

A successful plan for job search should necessarily include spending time everyday on researching companies, networking with others, following up of leads, contacting new recruiters and corporate employers, follow-up action with recruiters and contacts, mailing your cover letters and resumes, interview coaching and appearing for interviews and keeping yourself motivated. Such job search plans are known to have delivered positive results. It may take some time before you get results, but you’ll certainly find this strategy working for you.

Here is the outline of one such plan for successful job hunting.

Monday
8-10 – spend this time for networking with friends, your earlier colleagues and alumni etc. (At least 10 calls or 10 emails or10 thank you notes)
10-12 – research at least ten new companies in the industry that interests you or with which you already have experience.
12-12:30 – break
12:30-2:00 – get in touch with new recruiters and new corporate employers (minimum ten of each)
2:00-3:30 – mailing your cover letters and resumes
3:30-4:30 – read some motivational/inspirational or self help book, or plan spending time with a career coach
4:30-5 – preparing plan for the next day. Diary proceeding of the day

Of course, everyday will be different as you’ll be spending time preparing and appearing for interviews. Nevertheless, you need to have a plan for your job search for days you are not preparing or appearing for interviews. On allocating time for following the tasks necessary for your job search, you’ll find an appropriate position.

Another important tip is to prepare a diary for recording your job search efforts and results. At the end of each day you should diary the highlights of the day. Any new lead you found, how you found it or any encouragement you received. Maintain a record of people you may like to contact in future or anything new you learnt today that you think can be helpful in your efforts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7647404