Job Search Tips

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure." 


Norman Vincent Peale

"All our dreams can come true--if we have the courage to pursue them."


Walt Disney

“Never stop doing what you love because one day someone might want to hire you for it.”

 Emanuel Sebastiao

Though I don’t think I’ve mentioned this in my blogs, I was a career coach for a few years.  I wrote over 600 resumes and two (unpublished as of yet) books on the topic.  I also put in several hundred hours of speaking on the topic.  Here are some things I know and some things I recommend for the prospective job hunter.

·      Looking for a job should be treated like a job, with a regular schedule and with goals.

·      It can be a scary and discouraging process.  Perhaps you know exactly what you want to do, but it doesn’t seem to be out there.

·      You cannot give up.

·      There is a multitude of resources available including but not limited to:

o      Books

o      Magazines

o      Podcasts

o      Career centers

o      Resume writers and career coaches

o      Recruiters

o      Employment agencies, private and public

·      Looking for a new job may be part of your Purpose.  This means you will probably face the Enemy.  In fact, count on facing the Enemy.

·      You cannot give up.

·      The Enemy may take the form of your friends and love ones who discourage you while trying to encourage you.

·      The Enemy may take the form of the media telling you how scarce jobs are.

·      You cannot give up.

·      Personal contact is still the best way to find work.

·      If you have personal contact with a representative of an organization where you want to work, and he or she tells you to go online to fill out an application, then do so.

·      Then contact that person again.  Tell him or her you have done as instructed and would like to know your next step.

·      Look for more than one job at the same time.

·      Do as many positive things as possible for yourself during this time.

·      Get some exercise.

·      Drink more water.

·      Get more sleep (but don’t use sleep as a means of escape).

·      If you lost your job, fairly or unfairly, by being fired, laid off or quitting, you may go through a grieving process.  Or you may not.

·      Tell at least five people a day your professional goals.

·      Remember that every time you tell someone your professional goals, you’re having an interview.

·      Before you look for work, if possible, take a little time off.

·      During this time off, focus on other areas of your life that may have been neglected. 

·      During this time off, take stock of your life.  This may be a golden opportunity to make some needed changes.

·      Unless you can afford it, don’t take too much time off.

·      You cannot give up.

·      Have a support system of family and friends who can help you through this time.

·      Get Started.

·      Keep Going.

·      You cannot give up.