Three Quick Job Search Tips

7/18/2006

By Kevin Donlin

CTW Features

Here s a collection of job search tips that have helped my clients over the years that will no doubt help you find work, faster.

Read them and reap

1) Create your own momentum

The Big Mo you hear about it all the time in sports. Teams with momentum get on a roll, score more often and win more games than teams without it.

If your job search is stuck, you can create your own momentum and move toward the position you want by starting each day with a victory of some sort, no matter how small.

Example: Make your first networking call in the morning to your best friend or favorite family member. Why? There s zero chance of rejection and you ll likely hang up the phone smiling (if not, call somebody who makes you smile).

Or, you can call a former co-worker you haven t seen in months to schedule a networking lunch. Or invite your favorite neighbors over for a barbecue where you can ask for advice on your job hunt.

In other words, make your first action a slam dunk: something you know will turn out well. A successfully completed task every morning will help you tackle more challenging work later because you will have momentum on your side.

2) Ask for help, listen and act!

Question: How many people have you asked this month for advice about your job search? If you re absolutely honest in your answer, the number will be small. Too small.

Why put all the pressure on yourself to find all the employment answers? Why not ask and discover what s worked for other people, and then model your actions on theirs?

Here s how to do it. Ask the following question of friends and family: How did you find your last three jobs?

Notice, you re NOT asking, Do you know anyone who s hiring? or some equally unimaginative, conversation-killing question. Instead of begging for a job, you are flattering others by asking for advice. Just be sure to listen and write down every word they say in reply.

I guarantee this magic question will give you a plethora of ideas every time you ask it, and open your eyes to new ways of getting hired. Plus, you ll be raising your profile among the people who know you, which will put you top of mind with them when employment leads do pop up.

Stop trying to figure it all out on your own. Instead, start multiplying your brainpower by asking others for advice.

3) Know that change is your friend

According to the US Bureau of Labor, voluntary employee turnover across America was 20.20 percent in 2004, the most recent year available. This means that about one in five employees quit their jobs every 12 months, on average.

What does that mean for you?

Today s no in your job search could be tomorrow s yes. Because, in a company with 100 employees, approximately 20 of them will quit within the next year. That s 20 chances for you to get hired.

But you won t be hired if they don t remember you.

So, every time you hear, Sorry, we re not hiring, or We don t have any openings right now, don t despair. Keep in regular touch with the companies you want to work for because one in five of their employees will probably leave this year. It s only a matter of time until something opens up for you.

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin, owner of Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resume, frequently writes about best practices in job hunting. For more information, visit www.gresumes.com.