New Year, New You, New Job

New Year, New You, New Job!!!!!

Well the New Year is upon us and there are a few last minute things I wanted to share for the upcoming year. The time to make New Year’s resolutions is upon us so what are yours? Will it be to go on another diet? Maybe go to the gym? Eat healthier or maybe quit smoking. No matter what you have planned for your resolution make sure that you resolve to kick that job search into higher gear. There are numerous things that you can do to rekindle your motivation in your job search.

1. A new year means new and exciting opportunities for everyone. The economy shows slow turn around but that does not mean there are not opportunities in the employment world. Now is the time to re-think how you have been looking for employment. Maybe you were just looking on job boards and not networking. Since 80% of jobs are not posted on job sites that tells you that more can be made networking. Dust off that personality, practice that handshake and make a resolution to get out and network more.
2. Taking time to make a new and improved you is another feature that you can do to have more opportunities. If your resolution is to join a diet club, or a gym, why not take the time to meet others at these activities, talk work with them, get to know them and add them to your network. Taking the time to spruce yourself up with a hair cut or style, some new (newer) clothes, and working on that confidence that every employer wants to see walking into their establishment can help you gain better opportunities.
3. Seeing someone like a counselor can also help bring back the motivation to continue the job search. With the confidence that counseling can provide the new and improved you can help you succeed. Looking at every resume that was never answered, all the doors that were closed even after an interview or all the “we have decided to go with another applicant as an opportunity rather than an obstacle can help you stay motivated.
4. Find your cheerleader in life. Everyone has or knows that one person who can turn lemons into lemonade that can see only the best even when the worst is going on. Talk to this person on a daily basis and listen to the positives they share. In this job market I know it is hard to stay positive, but taking the time to list the pro’s and con’s in your personal life will show you that you do have more going for you.
5. Do not take no for an answer has been something I have heard for years, it shows determination, dedication and a standard of ethics. If an employer says no, then you see on the job board the exact position again, apply for it again then if they say no and it appears again keep trying. If it continues try and network your way in by contact the CEO on LinkedIn or other social networking sites, ask for an informational interview and show them what you know of their company.
6. Setting daily goals helps individuals to see the good strides they have made daily. Often times we overlook the small steps and daily things that we achieve, because we are to stressed to see the small picture because the “gigantic” picture of being between jobs is clouding our ability to see the small successes we have daily.

Just remember that in this New Year, you can have a new and excitedly improved you, to secure that new job. It is up to you to see if today is going to be the last start you will have to make for bettering yourself and your situation. Happy Motivation!!!! Oh and Happy New Year and New Career.

5 Steps to get Santa to bring you a job during the Holidays

Holiday Job hunting can be a task that some individuals think should not happen. There are 5 tremendous and necessary things to remember while in the holiday season that can help you with employment. Many individuals will tell you that hiring is low during the holidays, or that employers already have their employees for the season. This is not necessarily true. Take these 5 things to heart and you might be pleasantly surprised with an offer by the new year.

1. Holidays mean parties. Work parties, networking parties and a time to get out and meet people parties. Just because the holiday season is upon us does not mean the job search should stop. Going to events with a friend or spouse will open the doors to new faces and maybe new employment opportunities. Just remember that during these work functions either your work function or a close friends to not hit the open bar and get intoxicated. Remember these individuals are either co-workers or co-workers of someone you know.
2. Employers had a tendency to look at the road ahead. They may have almost enough staff but if it is a place that hires college students for the season, they will lose that employee after the season and they return to school. Take the time to network with those individuals even if it is a coffee house. Grab a cup and let the networking light shine.
3. Family gatherings are another great place to find out about opportunities. Remember your family knows the most about you and what you can do. Many people want to keep their pride when at a family gathering and not talk about being between jobs (unemployed). Remember your family pretty much already knows and are there to support you. So when you are asked how the hunt is going, do not try and quickly change the subject but use that opportunity to engage them with any possibilities they might know.
4. Job sites are being updated daily with new positions and just because it is the holidays does not mean that you cannot score an interview. Make sure you spend the same amount of work hours looking through job sites, networking on LinkedIn, Twitter and even Face book as long as you have a professional Facebook, not a personal one with all the games. Employers do take some days off, but that does not mean on December 26^th when they return to the office that they cannot see your resume in response to their ad.
5. Putting your face in front of a prospective employer is always a good thing. If you find a place you want to work, make sure you go in, find out the slow times of the day, return at the slow time and ask to sit down with the manager, or even just ask to schedule an appointment to speak with them at their convenience. Never try to talk with a hiring manager when it is the busiest time of the day, which will throw their day off.

Taking the time to keep looking for employment over the holidays will show initiative, drive and the go getter attitude that many places look for. If you stop looking over the holidays you might be sabotaging your self and missing out on some great opportunities. The holiday brings out the spirit of giving, so when an employer sees what you can give them it might make it where you get something in return. The elves are not taking a break from working and neither should you. If anything now is the time to hit the search even harder.

5 Important things to remember after an interview.

You have put in an application, received the call for an interview, put on your best interview outfit, and aced the interview so now what? There are many important things to remember to do after the interview.

1. The first thing to remember is a Thank you note that should be sent the day you had the interview. This is one part that many do not do. It is extremely important to hand write a thank you note, unless your communication has been through email, but I would still send a snail mail thank you note anyway. It is important to try and personalize it to the interviewer and remember to shine your skills. If there were 2 or 3 interviewers you must send a thank you note to each individual involved in the interview.
2. It is important that you keep sending out resumes either online, attending job fairs or networking events. The job search should not stop just because you had an interview. In today’s market it could be a month before you hear back from the interview if you hear back at all. Keeping up with the search is vital to your gaining even more possibilities in the job market and even the “problem” of having two possibilities to choose from.
3. While continuing the employment search it is important to set up mock interviews. Have someone you know will be honest with you to go over the harder questions to see how you respond. This way you will get feedback on how well or badly you answer these tough questions that are thrown at you during the interview. If you were fired from your last job you need to figure a way to put a positive swing to it. I know some might feel strange asking a friend or loved one to interview them, but this way you will have practiced.
4. Check your resume and references. The worst thing in the world is to put someone down as a reference and have them give you a negative reference. If you left on a positive note ask and see if the employer or co-worker will write a letter of reference. If you left on a bad note inquire with the individual what kind of reference you can expect from them. Do not put family members down as a reference that does not look good.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice. There are multitudes of sites on the internet to help you practice interview questions, formulate cover letters, and be able to see the commonly asked interview questions. Google something like Interview questions or answering the tough interview questions and you will have a world of information at your finger tips. To practice makes perfect right?

 Just remember that even though the interview went well this does not guarantee you a job, keep up the motivation, do not give up hope, and remember things can and will get better.