May 12, 2010

Who doesn’t need a little ENCOURAGEMENT now and then?  Everyone – and not just a “little!”  A lot!!  On a daily basis, young or old, happy or confused, we all need to hear that we are doing a good job, doing the right thing, are “lookin’ good!” -  have accomplished something meaningful, or are on the right track!

What about self-encouragement?

Now, there’s something we don’t seem to hear enough of!

Something I’ve noticed from time to time with job seekers / career changers, is that they are constantly evaulating or agonizing about (on a daily basis) why it is that no employer seems to want to hire them, or why they are having trouble making a career direction or job change decision.

It is easy to get discouraged when we put “thought time” and real “action” time into accomplishing something and it just isn’t happening.  It’s logical that we will get discouraged – very discouraged.

But on a daily basis – we all, employed or unemployed, disillusioned or discouraged – must find some time for self-encouragement.  It goes hand in hand with motivation.  We generally don’t act on our motivational thoughts or plans unless we ENCOURAGE ourselves (and each other) to take those first steps.

Need permission to change your plans and goals?  Not from me or anyone else.  Encourage yourself to make the decisions that only you can make.

So, what do you SAY to yourself on a daily basis? 

 ”Good job!, I’ll try a new approach so I get the result I want, Maybe it makes more sense for me to do  this…”

OR

“Why isn’t this happening for me?,  Maybe I’ll think about it tomorrow, Why don’t I get this?, I won’t get that position anyway, why try….”

Be a self-encourager, you WILL achiever faster results and get what you want!

Until next time - stay positive and encourage yourself to take CHARGE of your career / job  path!!

Feeling stuck?  Has your job search energy waned?

What to do?  No big mystery here.

Just do it!  What?!?

Yep, just DO what you’ve decided to do.  So, what does that mean?

Every day you must have a plan and then work the plan.  Sounds easy enough.  It is until the lazy “worm” sneaks in.  Well, instead of lazy, we could say lack of motivation – which makes us lazy, gets us off our game.

After making a decision to DO something – it must be followed through with actually DOING it!

Sometimes, it seems that half the battle is making a decision.  True, it is.  But the hard part is yet to come – actually taking action on your decision.

So, what’s keeping you?  What distractions are keeping you from working your job search activities plan?  Television, social phone calls, surfing the Internet (i.e. on-line shopping), general disorganization, home projects, family demands?

Some tips:

• Do some volunteer work – it helps organize your time and keeps you focused, besides the obvious benefits of feeling “useful,” obtaining new skills, honing ones that you have and gaining a reference
• Set up a place in your home that’s just for you and your job search stuff
• Walk (exercise), Talk (network with NEW contacts), Read (Know what’s going on in your marketplace and the world in general)
• Explore new occupational possibilities – do some Informational Interviewing (find out about informational inteviewing at:  www.jobhuntersbible.com)

What’s the very best way to DEAL with “things?”

Yep, a simple answer.  Deal with them.

Need help getting organized, staying motivated and developing a plan in the first place? 

Email Carol at:  csmith@employready.com

“Research has continually shown that motivation is the most important single factor for sucess in most human endeavors.”

A quote from Tom G. Stevens PhD (www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/success)

Hello job seekers and career changers and anyone who has an interest in the world of job searching and career exploration!

I’m rarely at a loss for words – whether writing or speaking, but I find myself staring at a blank page today trying to figure out something clever to say / write!  And I’m tongue-tied with writer’s block!  But not for long I suspect, so here goes with my very first blog entry!

What can one say that hasn’t already been said about the tough job that the unemployed, underemployed and disenfranchised workers have - about getting selected by an employer who seemingly has just the right opportunity for them?  Well, a lot has been said, but I haven’t heard or read the following anyplace, to date:

EMPLOYMENT IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT!

In the American culture we raise our children to believe that if you work hard, keep your nose clean, do something extra, learn well, can read, write and “do” math, remain as honest as the day you were born, respect your elders, and have the desire to work - someone WILL hire you!  Why?  Just because you want and are able to work! 

So what.

During any time it’s important to realize, and especially during this economic climate – that an employer will hire an individual who they perceive will help them make money, with as little hassle as possible.  Simple as that.  Many go about their job seeking activities from one extreme to the other from being a couch potato to performing  cartwheels or somersaults for anyone who will pay attention.  We have over the top BEAUTIFUL resumes, a near perfect wardrobe, a leather portfolio and all the right answers to those “tricky” interview questions.

Still no job offer.  Not even a call back after the first interview that went SWELL.

Why not?

Because the employer (their representative) in their wisdom at that moment in time did not perceive that you had the “right stuff” to solve their problem and help them make money by maintaining their customer base or improving their product or service.

And you “go home” defeated.  And use the same strategies / techniques all over again the next day, the next week, the next month.  Not always, but often.  And sometimes you just drop out.

There’s good news.  You can change your frustrating job search strategies ways, of which one is often times applying online for 25 “new” positions each week.  Work on practicing your personal presentation and gauge your likabiltiy factor.  Until the business owner is convinced that YOU have more of the right stuff than the person who came in before you or after you, you are just another “wanna be.”  So, how do you go from a “wanna be” to “why not me?”

It’s your responsibility to do the sales job.  Sure, your wardrobe is important, as is grooming, along with your skill sets, training and work experience – at whatever level that is important to the employer.  BUT have you convinced them that you are the ONE?  Do they like you?  I’m reminded of the line from the movie Shenendoah when Jimmy Stewart asks his soon-to-be son in law, (actor, Doug McClure) when the younger is asking the elder for his daughter’s hand in marriage.  As Doug McClure’s character is reasurring the old farmer that he does indeed love his daughter, Jimmy Stewart croaks out, “But do ya like her?”  And the young man looks puzzled indeed. 

Have you effortlessly convinced the hiring manager, HR person, company president to like you?  Have you sold them on your ability to perform better than anyone else who has come through the door?   Are you pleasant to be around?  Will you fit in with the existing team and get the job done?  Do you seem comfortable in your own skin?  Are you familiar enough with your own skill set that you can tell a story about your past performances and make a direct correlation to why you are the best choice – at that moment in time?  If you are not confident in your ability to sell yourself to an employer and convince them that you will solve their problem, you will continue to come in second or tenth place.  After first, it doesn’t really matter.  You aren’t the ONE. Perhaps your attitude needs to be adjusted from “why hasn’t someone hired me” to “how can I make them want me?”

It is not an employer’s job to hire YOU.  It’s their job to hire SOMEONE who will solve their problem, who they like and feel will fit in with the existing team and help them make money by keeping their customers happy and coming back for more.  When the employer is convinced of that, they will hire YOU!

Perform well for them.  Help them grow their company and make more money.  In time they will LOVE you!

Are you job search ready?  Go to the Home Page of www.employready.com to download a free Job Readiness Check List.