You've heard of willpower, but do you use waypower in your job search?

Back in 1998, Charles A. Rapp wrote a book called The strengths model. Although the target audience of the book was for individuals recovering from mental illness who wish to pursue employment, the content of  Rapp's book still applies to an effective, contemporary job search.

No doubt you have heard of willpower. It is simply defined as the belief that you have the capacity to do something. (Remember the children's book with the choo-choo train? It has been a few decades since that book came out, but I can still recall the refrain of that train:" I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...")

Rapp refers to a distinguishing feature that job seekers can add to their "tool box" of resources. It's called "waypower." Rapp summed up waypower as "mental plans or roadmaps that guide hopeful thought." He is talking about your OWN mental beliefs, attitudes and thoughts. For example, if you have an employment target, and devise a plan in your head, you will likely achieve your goals. How can you apply waypower to your job search? You might incorporate such things as mental visualization and positive self-talk in your job search. Visualize an upcoming interview, talk yourself into picking up the phone off hours to leave a voicemail message with an employer, proposing a solution to their company or business' problems.

The other component of waypower is having hope. According to Charles Rapp, having hope will decrease burnout, such as being reactive in a job search, which is a scattered and erratic in nature. Instead of being reactive, applying hope will help you achieve small goals and a target on which to focus. Having a sense of hope, Rapp says will also promote superior coping skills. This skill set is a life skill, not just an employability skill, which you can continually improve.

I'll close with one last analogy. When you are focusing on a goal, sometimes it's not enough to have willpower. For example, if you want to lose weight, you must combine willpower with other things to achieve success. In this case, combining willpower with waypower looks something like this:

willpower= I've got what it takes
waypower= I've got a mental roadmap to get me to my destination (new job or new career)

Cheers to your success!
Melissa Martin, bilingual career specialist
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/ and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
Follow me on Facebook: melissaycnthiamartin
Twitter: @ravingredhead

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Interview answer that will WOW employers

If you are just ending an interview, NEVER leave without asking some questions. Interviewees are evaluating how much you want to work for them and what kind of confidence you project.

Recently, I have been hearing more about individuals taking a survival job to make ends meet. This is undestandable if all of your options appear to be running out, and above all, if your employment insurance coverage is being depleted. Let's face it, the competition is fierce out there.

When it comes time for the employer to ask if you have any questions, tell him/her what you would accomplish in the first 90 days on the job. What's a good acronym to "seal the deal" before your interview concludes? TQM.

TQM stands for total quality management.  It is a way to increase customer satisfaction by boosting quality. One of the objectives of TQM, in the grand scheme of things, no matter what industry to which you are applying is the idea of continuous improvement of quality.

How can you use TQM in the middle of the interview? Be creative. You say something like, "In my first 90 days, I would apply TQM to your company, which means I would strive to provide continuous improvement to your clients or customers. That means winning hearts and minds in a company and that translates into happy customers, which means possible repeat customers."

You don't have to know a great deal to add TQM in your job interview plan.

What have you got to lose?
"Fortune favours the bold," as one famous ancient Roman poet said.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career specialist and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search, http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Follow me on Twitter: @ravingredhead
Facebook: careercoachingbyphone.com

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Top 10 ways to job search in a down economy

Recently, I attended a webinar from the United States Psycho Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) on "providing good employment services during tough economic times." Among the tidbits of information were the "top 10 ways to effectively job search during an economic downturn." Job seekers take note! My comments and suggestions follow:

1. Stay organized-Targets and goals are essential in achieving success. Unless you have a plan (preferably a 30 day one), your results will be disappointing. You can`t score if you don`t shoot toward the target.

2. Strike when the iron his hot-When you hear of an opportunity, take advantage of it. In sales, we call this "hot leads." If you have been given information from a contact or a "weak link," (often a person who APPEARS like he or she may not help your job search, but one who has information that may turn into a lead), don't wait! The competition is fierce out there.

3.Use community resources- Put away your pride. If you need to access resources because you haven`t been succeeding, join a job club, or visit a local job centre.  Communities are now global now. Social media has been the common thread to unite us around the world. Consider online resources that know no boundaries. I recommend the http://www.careerealismclub.com/ For a modest fee, you can access outstanding webinars, online forums and free advice from career experts (I am one of the approved experts on http://www.careerealism.com/). Other recommended resources are http://www.secretsofthejobhunt.com/ (yes, my articles are there!) and http://www.careercommuniqueradio.com/, which is moderated by my Australian counterparts, Keith Keller and Annemarie Cross. Admittedly, in  North Amercian culture, there still is a stigma about asking for help. Get help no matter what! It can make the difference between having a short or long job search.

4. Be prepared-Have resumes with you that you can leave with employers. Don`t leave home without resources. When the phone rings, make sure you sound professional.

5. Network-See point 2. The hidden job market involves networking. Up to 80% of the jobs are available through the `hidden job market.` Employers prefer to hire someone they trust through referrals, reputation or recommendations.

6. Expand your job search criteria- Deciding on your target employer is the 1st step to an effective job search. Consider other possibilities or alternatives if your first choice isn`t possible or available at this moment.

7.  Increase your marketability-Develop your personal brand on and off line. You will establish credibility and presence by considering your USP (unique selling points). Set up your social media accounts. Develop expertise in your area and then blog about it. Comment on others`articles with your personal brand and join online forums and groups like Linkedin groups or Linked in `questions and answers.`

8.  Stay upbeat-Evaluate your results regularly and change your tactics if you are not getting any worthy results.

9.  Increase your follow up with employers-Don`t wait by the phone expecting response from employers. Hiring is taking longer now. Allow a grace period for an employer to receive your application and then follow up gently either by email or better still, in a voicemail, with a viable reason WHY they should call your back. Again, think of your USP.

10. Don`t give up-Job searching is a numbers game, like it or not. Unemployment is temporary. Your efforts will pay off in dividends if you have a job search that resembles a failsafe, marketing campaign.

Conquer and divide in your job search!

If you need an extra boost in your job search, email me at teacher10@hotmail.com and I will send you a FREE copy of my latest ebook: Turbo charge your job search: 16+ sizzling tips to be irresistible to employers.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career specialist and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Follow me on Twitter: @ravingredhead
Facebook: melissacynthiamartin

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1 second confidence trick for YOUR job search

As a fitness enthusiast (mentally and physically), I subscribe to Prevention magazine (http://www.prevention.com/) and came across this "nugget" that can help you, if you are experiencing difficulty with your job search. The nugget is something that you can do in ONE second to give you an instant mood lift.

Richard Petty, a psychologist and author of a study at Ohio State University, asked participants to rate their skills in relation to finding job opportunities. The answer may seem over the top, but simple. Those who were searching for job opportunities decided to use proper posture and felt more secure in their abilities than those who were "slumped over."  Petty discovered that the simple activity of sitting upright had a direct relation to feeling confident.

What have you got to lose if you are job searching?   As a former radio broadcaster, I actually recommend that just by standing, you will SOUND more confident. Try this when you are contacting or leaving a message with a a potential employer.  You will notice a difference! You WILL sound more confident , even if you are shy, and a potential employer will notice the difference in how you project your voice!

Melissa Martin, bilingual career specialist and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Follow me on Facebook: melissacynthiamartin
FB fan page: careercoachingbyphone.com
Twitter: @ravingredhead
Catch Melissa LIVE at the cannexus conference in January 2011, http://www.cannexus.ca/

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5 reasons why people fail with their goals and solutions for you

I continue to digest Charles Rapp's book, The strengths model: case management  with people suffering from severe, persistent mental illness.  The content definitely applies to job seekers. Here's why:

Job seekers often start their job search without a calculated plan. The bold risk takers may decide to embark on a job search with guns blazing, but burn out quickly. Others, may start out their job search with a blindfold. Let's explore why goals fail, adapted from content that is in Charles' book:

1.  aspirations
In order to achieve your job search or career goals, you must take ownership of your goal. No one else should share this responsibility. Just you alone. What often happens (and I can base this on 13 years of experience with job seekers), is that "others" in our social network, who may have the best of intentions, often derail our decisions and outcomes. For example, parents, spouses and even employers, who may place too lofty a goal on the employee's back.

Another reason that relates to career aspirations is a goal that is too vague. For example, if someone asks you, "Just what IS your goal?" an unsuccessful job seeker may reply," I want a job."  Or here's the familiar refrain, "I'll take anything."  Now would you take a holiday without an itinerary (essentially going on a trip without planning)? I doubt it.

Let's get back to those so-called supports, such as parents and spouses, who may wish you to pursue what THEY think is a good match for your career aspirations. This is especially prevalent if parents are high achieving and they expect the same levels of achievement for their children. For example, "Your mother was a ____(profession), so you pursue the same profession."

2. goals imposed by others

To go one step further from the last point, career professionals themselves may impose their goals on job seekers. This can be to the detriment of the job seeker, who doesn't take the time to digest what goals may be achievable or realistic. For example, a career professional may say, "This job seeker/client needs to improve his/her socialization skills." Excuse me? Is that language too far reaching for the job seeker? Perhaps so.

3. competencies
Again, others' influences may be sabotaging a job seeker who is contemplating a goal. For example, there may be a mismatch between the job seeker's goal and information or skills that he/she needs. Let's say that you're content with staying in the same employment sector, but others may have too grandiose goals for you. Do some self-reflection.

4. confidence
Generally, the longer a job seeker is unemployed, the less confidence he/she has. Currently, the average period of unemployment in the U.S. is 33 weeks. While one is visibly absent from the workforce, quite often confidence starts to wane. In other words, the job seeker may lose confidence in taking the "first step," which is crucial to moving forward in a successful job search.  Negative self-talk starts to build, such as self-defeating phrases like," I'm too old" or "No employer will hire me after being out of work for 15 weeks."  Negative talk breeds negative behaviour unless it is checked at the door. All the more reason to establish small steps to achieve a goal. For example, get out of the house (imperative to lift one's spirits in isolation) and do one activity. Sign up for a free course at the local job centre or offer to volunteer for a few hours a week to boost your confidence.

5. environment
This is otherwise known as your support system or social network.  If you aren't receiving support from precious people in your life (namely your warm contacts, such as family or friends), find your own support network. Join a job club or offline (research has proven that job seekers succeed in their job search exponentially with the support of others, even if they are strangers). Plain and simple, find your own cheerleaders if you can't find them at home.

Your solutions to achieving goals?
1. Start setting goals that are immediate and concrete. Better yet, use the SMART goal method:
specific (goals), measurable, attainable, realistic (can you stick to the goal) and timely (every goal must have a timeline to motivate you).
2. Goal setting must be collaborative.
3. Get resources (online and offline) from people and technology.
4. Establish target dates for your goals.
5. Revisit your goals after 30 days (ever notice how diets have a very tight timeline)?

Don't wait ANOTHER minute for a stalled job search to defeat you! Get help with setting your own goals. Book an appointment online with a credentialed career professional. For your consultation, drop me a line at teacher10@hotmail.com

Melissa Martin, bilingual career expert and ebook author, How to find a job using social media
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

PS Send me an email on this blog and I will send you a FREE copy of my latest ebook, Turbo charge your job search: 16+ tips to be irresistible to employers

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Want to succeed in your job search? Add 1 thing and succeed

Hi job seekers,
The latest book I am reading is The strengths model  by Charles A. Rapp (Oxford University Press, 1998). Although the book is targeted toward career professionals who assist individuals with a mental illness, Charles' book has many "nuggets" that contain a universal message.

Here's the one thing that Charles observes about successful people and it has a direct bearing on successful job searches:
"People who are successful in living have at least one goal..."

Undeniably true! Did you know that only 3% of adults write down their goals?

This is so relevant to a successful job search.

I will add to Charles' observation about successful people. While returning home on the week-end, I listened to a talk show on an American radio station. The host was interviewing a female guest on the same topic-what makes people successful? The female host witnessed one commonality among the many successful people she had interviewed, some of whom included celebrities, including Tiger Woods.

What was the one ingredient in these individuals' success? Taking a RISK.

So there you have it. Work out some goals and take a RISK in your job search.

If your job search is not producing fruitful results, write down your goals and take a RISK to do something different that you may not have considered. I bet that your efforts will be rewarded.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career expert and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
Catch me LIVE at the Cannexus conference in Ottawa, Canada on Jan 24, 2011, http://www.cannexus.ca/

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