How You're Screwing Up Your Job Search

Stop wasting your time... and your energy... Looking for a job in a way that's not going to get you the results you want...

As a job hunter, you can spend a lot of time looking for decent work. And for most of us, that time is something we'd like to minimize. So it's pretty horrible to discover you've been sabatoging yourself.

And if you're feeling frustrated, stuck or in despair in your search, then you're almost certainly making these mistakes.

Read on if you want to know... What's THE Worst Thing You Can Do For Your Job Search?

(All right, I'll admit that there's not one but two things ... but they are closely tied together.)


Mistake #1 NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT

If you're out there looking for a job, any job, and you don't care what as long as it pays really well and you get along with your coworkers... well, you're probably not going to find it.

Wait... before you think you're not making that mistake... if you're saying, "I'd like something in banking" or "I want to do graphic design"... then you're probably not that clear.

Here's the problem with not being clear. It's hard to find something if you don't know what you want to find. And, most jobs come through people you know. People want to help you, really. But it's really hard for them to do that if you're not specific.

(Think about it... if someone said to you "I'm looking for a retail management position", what do you think? ... Oh, that's nice. Best of luck. There are probably some stores in the mall that are hiring.

Now, what if that same person said "I want to be a manager at the new REI store opening in Orlando next month." All of a sudden you're probably thinking... Oh, really? Hey, my cousin knows someone who works at REI. My college friend lives in Orlando. ...

And it's much easier to give that person information, even though you're less likely to know the owner of the Florida REI store than someone hiring for any retail management position.)

All right... once you're clear... the actions you need to take next are clearer--and easier too.
Don't worry, you don't need to know exactly what you want. Often, while you're focused and in action looking for Job A, you discover Job B.

Sounds good, right? Well, there may be just one more problem.

Mistake #2 NOT WANTING WHAT YOU SAY YOU WANT

Ok, back to our friend who's looking for the REI job. Picture someone saying, in a very unexcited, bored voice, "I want to be a manager at the new REI store opening in Orlando next month." How much do you want to help that person now?

Not wanting the job you're searching for is an impediment in all phases of the job search process--as you're looking for openings, writing your resume and interviewing. It's so much harder when YOU MAKE IT HARDER FOR YOURSELF by going after something you don't even want.

And that doesn't mean you have to be looking for your dream job. It just means that you're happy with it, that it's where you need to be now or even that it's a step towards your dream job.

The moral of the story:
STEP 1-figure out what you want and...
STEP 2-go get it!

If you're having trouble with Step 1, check out http://www.freshvisioncoaching.com/.

If you're having trouble with Step 2, find a friend who'll brainstorm with you and keep you accountable, try a book (like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Could-Anything-Only-Knew-What/dp/0440505003) and/or get a coach.

Redefining "Job"... Another great note from The Universe

Here's another great note from The Universe. (By the way, these notes are not always work-related. If you like the tone of these notes, sign up for the newsletter at http://www.tut.com/!)


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Do you ever wonder, that if every "job" was seen as an adventure in creativity, an opportunity to change the world, and a means through which to discover one's power... and if every task was seen as a present to unwrap containing unknown rewards, who would have time to work?
Every job.

-The Universe

Or, if every Monday was seen as yet another day in paradise, shouldn't the "Let's Get Ready To Rumble" song be played on Sundays, too?