10 Job Search Tips to get you Started

1.      Be organized

       a.      Set up our computer with all your Career links for weekly follow-up 
       b.      Have an exit statement and stick to it with everyone you meet—EVERYONE!
 
2.      NEVER, NEVER talk badly about your former employers or company.
 
3.      Check out www.Godel.com under Job List and you will find over 65 locations to refocus, get help and network--go to at least one a week for motivation and energy. Networking works 90% of the time—where do you want to spend your time?
 
4.      There is no such thing as an informational interview. Expect every encounter to be a full interview even a 3-5 minute visit.  First impressions are so important and that person could help you find your next job.

5.      Get LinkedIn--Get recommended.  In Nike speak--just do it.

6.      Get your business cards ASAP for networking.  Don’t worry, you will redo so get something on paper to pass out and start connecting.  Never go smaller than 7pt www.VistaPrint.com

                  a.      Name (no address)

b.      phone #

c.        email

d.      LinkedIn address

e.      area of expertise

7.      Volunteer your time.  It will help to make your resume more robust—don’t stop once you get the job.

8.      Develop a schedule

a.      Job Searching is full time

b.      Goals for the day, week.  Remember it is a numbers game

c.       Face-to-Face Meetings Are Better than phone but phone is better than no contact.

d.      Don’t neglect your looks—Get dressed up nice at every networking meeting.

9.      No matter how much time you spend on your resume, you will always have changes.  Spend a lot of time early on and then tweak it as you go along. It’s not about YOU, it’s about them (hiring manager) do not use I, me, my on you resume. 

10.  Use a T-Letter as a cover letter (see more on this in another blog post)

Embracing Change

So you've been displaced. 

I like that word better than the many terms that are out there.  Here is my list of the top 10 not-so-good terms:

1. Let Go
2. Laid off
3. Made Redundant
4. RIF'd (Reduction in Force)
5. Involuntary Employee Resource Program
6. My department was downsized
7. Restructured
8. Got a Package
9. Being affected by a staff reduction
10. Have been told that you will now be exploring other opportunities

So my word displaced, to me, still gives me a sense of positivity.  Being displaced is not being fired.  Through no fault of your own, your company made the decision to get rid of you.  They could not afford you so they are telling you to move on. 

Perhaps now is the time that you can embrace this as an opportunity to find something different to do.  Or, an opportunity to be able to spend more time with those you love or focus on something else that may be important in your life.  Embracing change is the key to this whole process.

How do I stay positive?
My advice is to grieve a day but get out there--Start out of the gate running.  Learn.  Engage.  Grow.

My next post will be on the resources out there that will help you to jump start your career search.