Are Your Resumes Headed Straight To The Trash?

I often talk with people who just aren’t getting
the response they’d like to all their job
submissions. And that can be really frustrating,
especially when you’ve spent a lot of time and
effort searching and applying for jobs. What
gives?

The Black Hole For Resumes

If you’ve been sending out resumes with very
little response, you may wonder what’s up. It’s
not as though your resumes have gone off to
join all the socks you’ve lost in the dryer.. is it?

Well, the truth is, unless you’re strategically
applying for positions, you might as well toss
your resume in the trash yourself and save
yourself some time. So how do you get
strategic?

The Far Too Common Job Search Mistake

Job hunting can be a very difficult thing. It’s
stressful, time consuming, and.. often very
scary. And, if you’re unemployed or unhappy
at your job, you’re probably doing all that
hard work with lower than usual self esteem.

One way to deal with that is to adopt this as
your primary job search method: search online
for open positions, submit your resume, and
wait for a response.

You can spend a lot of time doing this, which
means it FEELS productive. I know because
I’ve been there. I can also tell you that it may
be a total waste of time. So how can you tell?

When It Makes Sense To Submit a ‘Blind’ Resume

If you’re going to submit a resume “blind”, that
is, without having spoken with someone at the
company and without a personal recommendation
from a one of your contacts, then you want it to fit
at least two of the following three criteria:

1. The position you’re applying for is in demand.

2. You have worked at a similar position in the past
(you’re not making a big career transition).

3. You have a good, solid, well written resume and
cover letter.

That’s it! If you ensure that two of those
conditions apply to your situation, then by all
means submit your resume. And if not, and
you still want the job, don’t worry. There are
different strategies that deliver even better
results.

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/!)


-----

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?

A Note from the Universe

What a ridiculously faboulous message from The Universe:
---------

What if the word "work" was changed to "dance-with- life," Elizabeth? And instead of it being viewed as an alternative to fishing or a way of "paying your dues," it was seen as a chance to meet a parade of new friends, discover your own untested potentials and unpolished gifts, and open avenues for abundance to come pouring into your life?
Yeah, I bet lottery sales would plummet.

- The Universe

Not to mention the office parties, donut runs, and "free" pens, Elizabeth... cha, cha, cha!

Ten Ways to Get Some Enjoyment From Your "Job From Hell"

Ten ways to enjoy your current job more, today!

1. Identify who you help on a regular (daily, weekly, monthly) basis
2. Free associate and write down everything you like about your job
3. Ask a close friend or family member to help add to your list
4. Smile at the first and last people you see each workday, regardless of how smiley you feel
5. Make a new friend at work – find someone you don’t know very well, possibly someone you don’t directly work with, and get to know them on a personal level
6. Take breaks every 90 minutes, even if they’re just water or stretch breaks
7. Have a real lunch at least a few days a week
8. Seek out a mentor, at your company or otherwise
9. Personalize your workspace – with pictures, plants, music, or whatever else works for you
10. Go out of your way to do something nice for a coworker who will appreciate it

Ok, if none of that worked... and you still are stuck in a job from hell... GET OUT! http://www.freshvisioncoaching.com/

How Can You Have FUN Writing Your Resume?

Resumes are one of the few areas in your life when you're supposed to brag about yourself. And you're bragging about yourself on paper, so you can re-read how great you are.

You're forced to accentuate only the positive side of who you are--and you know, you get what you focus on!

If you have even a little eye for things that look nice, you also get the opportunity to create a page or two that appeals to the eye on a design level.

Need Help?

• Need help with design? Long on time and short on money? Search online for resume templates and pick some that look especially nice. Or, check out the non-Designer's Design Book and embrace your creative side: http://tinyurl.com/34z725.
  
  
• Have money but no time? Stuck in a job that's draining you? Consider a resume-writing service. They're often relatively inexpensive and will likely do an even better job than you would do on your own.

24-Hour Coach-a-Thon

In celebration of International Coaching Week, I'm partnering with 11 other professional coaches to offer the first ever free 24-hour life, business and career "Coach-a-Thon", beginning February 15 at 9 AM Central.

I'm really excited to participate in this event.  It's for a great cause, it's a wonderful way to bring coaching to people who may not otherwise have access to it, and it's going to be a lot of fun!  If you would like to participate sign up ASAP, as the Coach-a-Thon will be advertised on local Houston TV (Great Day Houston) on Tuesday, February 12 and it's very likely that any remaining slots will be filled after that.

Note: Participants will be asked to make a donation to the Northwest Family YMCA's Partners Campaign, which allows children and families who could not otherwise afford it to participate in YMCA programs like child care, after school care, camp and more.

For more information on the Coach-a-Thon and to register visit http://www.greystoneguides.com/gg/events/coach-a-thon_08.shtml