job search tip #13: to be "stuck" in a job search doesn't mean "give up"

With over 13 years of experience in helping unemployed individuals, I have heard this refrain repeteadly: "I've done everything in my job search," Or "I'm stuck."

There is a difference between being "stuck," which really means you may feel powerless.
Quite often, job seekers aren't necessarily "stuck," but "stalled" instead. The difference between the two, is that in the first case, job seekers give up too soon in their pursuit of a job. This happens for different reasons: no plan, no targets, no goals, no employers actually hiring in that sector and inefficient time devoted to an "active" not passive (as in job searching exclusively by electronic means) job search. Passive job searches involve no creativity or imagination, We're talking about an exclusively electronic approach or "blasting" resumes shot gun style. The result? Job seekers give up.

If you feel that your job search has "stalled," take heart. There is a silver lining in the cloud. You can retweak your job search strategy and be in the driver's seat. How about setting a goal to attend one community event this week to make contacts? If the phone is NOT ringing with job offers, only stop to take a pause and recharge your job search. It will make all the difference in your results.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Facebook: melissacynthiamartin
FB fan page: careercoachingbyphone.com
Twitter:@ravingredhead

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job search tip #12: Be a better interviewee-study NLP

When you think of the word interview, what comes to mind? Nerves? Sweaty palms? Heart beating out of control? Certainly these are physical reactions to the anticipation of a forthcoming interview.
What about the mental aspect of preparing for an interview?

If you want to be a better interviewer, change the programming of your mind by studying NLP or neuro linguistic programming.

According to Wikapedia: The co-founders, Richard Bandler and linguist John Grinder "coined the title to denote their belief in a connection between neurological processes ('neuro'), language ('linguistic') and behaviuoral patterns that have been learned through experience ('programming') and that can be organized to achieve specific goals in life."

What does this mean if you are conducting an interview? Pay attention to the language you use and your behaviour. Likewise, be mindful of the language the interviewer uses. Quite often, the wording of the interviewing questions is a benchmark to rate your reasoning, logic, thought patterns and communication. It is just as important to observe the interviewer's behaviour, as in body language (remember that most of our communication originates from this. Interviewers will also be evaluating YOUR body language).

Outside of a therapeutic approach, NLP is used for "interpersonal communications and persuasion including business communication, sales, and interpersonal influence. Other applications include negotiation." source: Wikapedia. Do you notice something? All of these functions apply to interviewing.

For example: interviewing= business communication
In a word, you are communicating value to a potential employer
persuasion= communicating your personal brand and value to a potential employer. Sales, in effect.
And a good interviewee will adopt the ABC tactic in an interview. Always be closing!

negotiation= coming to an agreement with the interviewer about why you are the ideal candidate and why you ought to be compensated accordingly. SALARY negotiation is a component of the interviewing process. Use the ABC tactic  to optimize your negotiations with an employer.

Need a career professional to prepare you for a successful interview?
Contact me at teacher10@hotmail.com
Melissa Martin, bilingual career specialist
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Facebook: melissacynthiamartin
Twitter:@ravingredhead
Join my Facebook fan page! careercoachingbyphone.com

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job search tip #11: Beyond transferable skills, what are your MOTIVATED skills?

Dear readers and job seekers:

Skills do not equate with career/job satisfaction. I will continue to reiterate this. Unfortunately, there tends to be too much emphasis on skills (whether they are transferable are not), rather than on interests, values and motivators.

Let's go one step further in energizing your job search with MOTIVATING skills. I've seen a couple of articles in the past. One included motivated skills that identified proficiency and interest levels, based on a range of skills. The other article, written by Rebecca Hanson of http://www.teleclassinternational.com/ (Rebecca, I've lost that brilliant document!), focused on the same topic and allowed you to create a career profile.

You can then rate these MOTIVATED skills, based on your interest or competency. After you review them, score the motivated skills based on:
 "enjoy USING very much"
-"like USING"
-"prefer NOT to use"
-"strongly dislike using"

Do you notice the language? These skills are ones that appeal to you, not the ones that you may possess, but don't necessarily want to employ in your next job.

Here's the list though not an exhaustive one) of MOTIVATED skills:
-speaking before groups
-generating ideas
-initiating change
-using intuition
-producing events
-creating images
-problem solving*** (Every job vacancy has a problem to solve)
-mediating
-writing
-brainstorming
-preparing food
-co-ordinating
-designing
-evaluating
-organizing
-supervising
-working outdoors
-hand dexterity
-building
-performing
-budgeting
-promoting

Patterns may emerge, while you review the list. Review the results with a career professional. Identifying your motivating skills is germane to your personal career/job profile.

Take the time to know what motivates you BEFORE proceeding with your job search. Otherwise, you may end up with insubstantial results.
Melissa Martin, bilingual career/job search expert and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/



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Guest post from Kevin Donlin, founder, thesimplejobsearch.com: 4 Ways to Find the Best Employers

How can I find the best companies to work for?" That's a question most job seekers ask almost daily. It's hard to answer ... because it's the wrong question.

Here's the real issue beneath that question: "I don't want to have to think hard about finding the best companies to work for." Admit it. You -- like me and all humans -- hate to think. It takes time. You have to pick and choose. You might make a mistake. And it can give you a headache. But unthinking behavior is a sure way to stay unemployed. So, let's re-phrase the query, because a well-phrased question is half-answered.

If you've been job hunting for more than 4 weeks, ask this question instead: "What have I NOT been willing to do to find the best companies to work for?" That's better. And easier to answer. In fact, here 4 things you can do TODAY to find the best employers to work for

 ... 1) Look at your connections on LinkedIn. I mean really look. Pick 5 people you admire, view their profiles, and look for the following:

* Where do they work now? (Could you work there?)* Where did they work before? (Could you work there?)* Who are their clients? (Could you work there?)* Who are their competitors? (Could you work there?)* Who are their vendors? (Could you work there?)

Do this for 5, 10, or more people, and you'll surely find 5-20 prospective employers.

2) Make connections at your last employers. Specifically, think about everyplace you've worked before. Now ask yourself the following questions:

* Could you work there again? (Could you work there again? Don't snicker -- getting re-hired happens every day.)* Could you work for your former clients? * Could you work for your former competitors?*
Could you work for your former vendors?

3) Find companies in the news. Spend 15-20 minutes researching the Business section of your local newspaper, looking for fast, smart, growing companies. Can't find any? Consider moving (or looking harder). 4) Ask 5 people you admire. I saved this for last, but it really ought to come first. Because, the more conversations you have, the more people will know about your job search -- and the faster you'll get hired. So, ask the 5 most-connected people you know for advice.

Tip: Take them all out for coffee, bring a legal pad, take notes. In 30-45 minutes, you'll surely come away with answers that will shorten your job search. Total cost: Less than $30. [Article by Kevin Donlin, Co-Creator of the Guerrilla Job Search System. If you're in the job market and want to try something new, you can see Guerilla Job Search secrets caught on video at thesimplejobsearch.com

Kevin Donlin, http://www.gresumes.com/

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Job search tip#10: Use the "BOTH/AND APPROACH"

 Especially for MID-CAREER job seekers, use the "BOTH/AND APPROACH"  during your job search.

Rather than choosing a job or career that is totally removed from your past career or job, combine that with an untapped skill set in a new position. This avoids you from being turned down for a specific position and "woos" the employer by showing your value. Send an employer  a job proposal with the "BOTH/AND APPROACH."

If you are unfamilar with the purpose of a job proposal, email me via http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com and I will send you information on this highly technique that taps into the hidden job market

Think of what you could combine (sales, customer service, administration, HR expertise...the possibilities are endless!) with a skill set that you've been hoping to use or that the EMPLOYER can use. This will depend on the company's needs.


For example, I used it long ago in the RADIO business. I combined my on-air expertise with doing part-time sales in an untapped market (American station in a Canadian city). The radio owners reaped the benefits and I used both skill sets!

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