Many people today are challenged with finding the right opportunity for them as they search for a job. Unfortunately, many are unclear of what their vision is (what they want), lack a plan, and tend to approach their search from a place of fear and desperation to find the next available job, regardless if it’s a fit for them long term. This not only affects their energy but also blocks confidence in being able to be approachable, skilled, and creative when presenting themselves well in an interview or when meeting others at networking functions. These days you have to stand out above the crowd and be prepared to jump in when the right opportunity presents itself.
Below are a few suggestions I share with clients on how to get clear on what you want and motivated to take action:
Take the time to decide what you want. What is your end game? What do you really want to be doing two years from now? Start by writing the things you’re passionate about, what you are naturally good at, how do you like to spend your day around others at work. If you had a perfect day at work, how would that look? Seeing your answers on paper is a great way to see what themes come up.
Once you have a better idea of the job you want, how will you get it? Write a detailed plan on how you are going to approach your search, including ways you plan to get your name out to everyone that you are searching for a particular type of job.
Do you have all the skills you need for the next job? If not, now is a great time to learn new skills or obtain more information. There are many ways to learn that have a small cost or no cost at all if you take the time to search.
Envision your ideal job and the company culture you want to attract. It’s out there – be patient. Spend a few minutes each day visualizing the job and place. The place does not have to be a specific company but more about culture and feel of the organization.
Consider landing the ‘step down’ job. The job that is a step down may put you on the path to where you want to be in two years. Some employers hesitate to hire people into a position that is below where the candidate has been. In a cover letter or interview, point out the benefits to having an experienced candidate, who’s willing to learn new skills, and how that will benefit the organization when the economy picks up.
Network, Network, Network! Many people are too comfortable behind the computer to send our resumes, etc. The best way to land a job is from someones referral who knows you. Now is the time to get out and meet people to add your sphere of influence to help you in your search through others they know as well as to offer advice and support.
Read (or listen on audio) to inspirational literature such as the bible, poems, business success stories, personal development material, anything positive to start your day. Steer clear of people, news and TV shows that deliver negative or gloomy messages.
What you think about expands, so think positive! Give thanks for the new opportunity and employer that is coming your way!
Dawn Leitner, a dynamic leadership development coach has teamed up with David Pinkley, founder of The Resume Sageto offer an all day workshop on July 22nd for an in-depth, hands-on training to teach job seekers how to uncover their strengths, define what job they are really looking for, and how to build their career story to help them stand out. Space is limited in order to provide individual attention to all participants. Click here to learn more about the 911 – Career Transition Workshop and to register.
It seems everywhere I go these days, I meet people who are ‘in transition’. People are getting discouraged and burnt out. They want to learn how to stand out from others in their job search with their resume, and they want a coach to help them stay motivated and on-track with the search, but find they have limited funds to hire an expert. Well, I and a colleague of mine, David Pinkley, founder of The Resume Sage, have teamed up to help.
http://www.vimeo.com/5401365For additional information and some insight on working through your career transition,
check out the June 18th interview with me on Fox News Rising!
Free Career Transition Seminar!
We’ve designed a free seminar just for those job seekers who need help. On Tuesday July 7 join us for ‘Maximize Your Strengths and Market Yourself to Land the Job of Your Dreams’.
Click here to learn more about this eye-opening and thought-provoking event.
Space is limited so don’t delay. Our June seminar filled up quickly. RSVP Now!
This is a MUST workshop if you want to get ideas on how to use social media to help grow your business. At $55.00 for a 4 hour seminar, this is a steal of deal. Please forward to anyone you think would be interested.
This half-day seminar is designed help small business owners and entrepreneurs learn how the strategic use of social media can help increase your visibility and boost your bottom line.
For many of us the idea of achieving what feels like an impossible goal or dream quite often is enough to keep us down, unmotivated, complaining about others or depressed at the lack of action and direction. I came across this video shared by a fellow coach, Monica Foster, and found it so inspiring in many ways on how to get what you want and what it takes to achieve what seems like the impossible. Thanks, Monica! You rock!!!
Here’s what I observed from this very determined squirrel found on a YouTube video at UCLA, and how other elements outside of your control (Law of Attraction) can manifest if you allow it:
A clear goal or destination – if the baby squirrel had no idea of where it was headed it wouldn’t know how to figure a way to get there, nor would the mother and the onlookers be able to assist in achieving what seemed like an impossibility. Everyone needs to know what the goal is specifically, not just the one going after the goal. The baby squirrel knew exactly where it needed to be… with its mother on the top of the wall – simple!
Persistence in finding a way and not giving up – many would give up after failing a few attempts based on what they are being “taught” as with the mother squirrel, but this little one stayed on course and kept trying to find a way to reach the top.
Staying focused on the goal regardless of the odds – Even when it seemed evident that it would not possibly achieve this goal, the baby squirrel stayed on task, didn’t get distracted by the onlookers, nor did it let fear of failing get in the way.
Having a mentor or coach to help you get there – although the mother squirrel had a very specific approach on climbing the wall, it may not be the ONLY approach and in the end it was a different path the baby squirrel used but it took the mother to stand by to support, encourage and allow the baby to try another route. Loved seeing this!
Keeping an open mind to new ideas and trust the unknown – a few times the baby squirrel ran back for safety when one of the college kids came to assist. Even though the baby was scarred, it was accepting of the new ideas and instead of running away it allowed its curiosity and persistence were stronger than its fear and the unknown became a new pathway to help it along.
If a squirrel can achieve the impossible, what can YOU achieve if you believe?
Are there any other elements you saw in the video that you would like to share?
I was just speaking to a very talented IT Auditor, Harry Sparks, the other day about the idea of using blogging these days to share your knowledge and help others, even if you’re actively looking for employment or are in transition. Why not share your opinions and connect with the larger internet audience to share your experience and wisdom? I have to admit it’s taken me awhile to connect to this medium and figure out where I belong (I’m still learning!). Well, Harry came across this article that I simply have to share with you. Maybe this will get those of you off the fence with a little motivation to start your own blog and start sharing your introspective with us curious beings, and maybe even make some $$ along the way. Who knows you may be the next Walter Cronkite to hit the internet.
Check out the article while its available to everyone on the Wall Street Journal website. It’s only available for the next seven days so read it quickly!
We all know the ole adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. How many of us actually think about that on a daily basis and try to live our life with values we can be proud of? The following video is inspiring in so many ways. I HIGHLY encourage you to watch it! It humbles even the most skeptical on how our perception is often skewed, even for someone as outspoken as Simon Cowell. I appreciated it being shared with me via email and hope it sings to your heart as it did mine. It was also a great reminder that we all have our own gifts to share…. in our own beautiful way if we just let our voice soar to whoever will listen. May your voice soar in your own life and may the world stop to listen to your brilliance! Click here
Do you send and reply to text messages during a meeting? Do you email on your blackberry while you’re on a conference call? Do you answer your phone with a “do you mind?” to the person on the other side of the table over lunch or dinner?
In today’s techno world, it’s all too easy to put technology ahead of our desire to really connect to the people we are trying to build authentic and sustaining relationships with. Technology is a wonderful tool to assist us to connect and respond appropriately to others. With the added value of “right here right now”, we also have to be careful of when we’re crossing the line and being disrespectful to those we have decided to spend our valuable time with.
When I worked in Malaysia back in 2004 I was amazed to be in a room of C- level executives who were spending more time on their cell phones texting than paying attention to the presentations being brought to them to help them solve some real issues in their business. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing much less that it would ever happen to us here in America. The day has come indeed where we are doing just that and with little regard to those impacted. We wonder why we feel overwhelmed, stressed out and trying to take multi-tasking to a new level. I believe in order to relieve some of this anxiety of responding to everyone within 3 minutes flat is getting back to simplicity and knowing our priorities, which includes focus and respect to those around us.
Here are a few “DO” tips I recommend to keep your sanity while building stronger relationships by simply giving others your undivided attention.
DO put your phone/blackberry on vibrate when in a meeting, conference or during a meal. Better yet, turn if off whenever possible. You save energy and stress on what you’re missing. Treat the phone as you would when you’re on a plane and just forget it exists (for a little while).
If you must respond to a call, text, email, DO it with respect either by leaving the room if in a conference or let the person(s) know ahead of time you’re expecting a response and politely excuse yourself when it arrives. There’s no point in them watching or listening to you while you attend to the issue and it’s an uncomfortable feeling you are burdening them with.
DO know that If someone is giving a presentation and sees you looking at your “personal device” they do know you’re attention is elsewhere and not on them. You may as well yawn at them to show your boredom!
DO realize that any call answered, text reply or emails interrupts the conversation you’re having with the other person (s) and will take more time to get the conversation started again. If they are important to you either professionally or personally, give them your undivided attention as you would want from them.
If you have any other tips to share on this topic, please do comment so we can all learn together!
A good friend sent this to me via email. It is a beautifully crafted video clip on how people can be brought together across the globe for a shared cause. It’s well worth your time to watch and see if you’re as inspired as I was!
They have a great culture built on KINDNESS. That’s right.. I said kindness! It may be a fluffy word to some, but not to Bill Baker, PhD and Michael O’Malley, PhD, who have spent the past several years researching what it takes to motivate employees. It’s a serious word to them, Google, Juilliard, Pitney Bowes as to the essence of their ongoing success. These are based on core values and principles outlined through a documentary that I was intrigued to watch last Thursday night on PBS (also available as a book and DVD). Although I have experienced “tough love” many times in my 20+ year career in corporate roles, the bosses that stood out the most were those that took the time to hear me, encourage me and help me see my own promise of what was yet to come while challenging me to be better without the fear of failing. I felt “valued” by them and they will forever be in my thoughts as kind bosses and I would do anything to help them succeed in their roles. Kindness comes in many ways as this insightful research clarifies.
How well do you lead with kindness? It sounds so simple, yet many of us fall prey to focusing on the negative with those we work with, work for, or who work for us. If you’re curious about how you can be a better leader using the “power of kindness”, I encourage you to check out www.leadingwithkindness.com. I dare you to be kind to at least one person a day without wanting anything back from them. I’m sure you’ll feel good and so will they. A smile a day as they say!
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