| If you are laid off, worried you will be, underemployed | | | | 6. Marketing is a numbers game. To play this game |
| or just keeping your resume up to date this article is | | | | successfully becoming a sales professional is a must. |
| for you. | | | | Searching out all opportunities and applying to each of |
| Over the last ten years the rules have changed in | | | | those that fit your desired environment is critical. |
| marketing every product. This change has affected | | | | 7. Do not take rejection personally. There are five |
| how you will find work. We all know, the absolute best | | | | applicants for every job posted, 14.9 million remain |
| way to find a job is through networking. The | | | | unemployed. To be noticed today you must be |
| unadvertised job is usually your dream job or career. | | | | aggressive, consistent, and persistent. Due to the |
| Being able to network with the top officials of | | | | number of those looking for work you must stay on |
| organizations is how to tap into this underground | | | | top of your game to secure your next great job. |
| market. | | | | 8. Contact the employers you most want to work for. |
| Here are ten tips to help you make the most of your | | | | 9. Be seen and get noticed. Go to every possible |
| job search today: | | | | networking event in your area if you are not relocating. |
| 1. Set solid career expectations and goals. Make a | | | | Be seen everywhere, be known as someone who will |
| business plan just for your career. Break your career | | | | be seen everywhere. Make sure you have business |
| into ten year increments which will allow for a | | | | cards for yourself and place the top three to five |
| measurable result. Every solid business plan includes a | | | | strengths you bring to the table on this card. Let |
| marketing plan. Develop a strong marketing plan. It is | | | | everyone know you are looking for a new opportunity. |
| not who is the best candidate that gets the job in | | | | This is how to connect with the underground |
| many cases it is the person with the best marketing | | | | employment market. This unpublished market is where |
| campaign. | | | | the highly compensated positions will be found. Make |
| 2. Follow the career business plan to the letter. This | | | | certain you follow up with anyone you meet at this |
| point cannot be emphasized enough. Having a written | | | | networking event by sending them a quick email |
| plan gives you a 99% better chance of accomplishing | | | | reminding them you are available. |
| any goal; strictly following the plan gives you that extra | | | | 10. Refine and practice your interviewing skills. |
| 1%. Your job is to find a job, spend the productive day | | | | Successful people do what unsuccessful people do |
| hours applying and interviewing for positions that fit | | | | not want to do. Successful people do what has to be |
| your goals. | | | | done. Give up the television every night and practice |
| 3. Perfect your resume. Resume writing has changed. | | | | your sixty second commercial, practice phone skills, |
| Consult with a professional recruiter to review your | | | | prepare and practice common interview questions. |
| resume. | | | | Being prepared is critical for a successful job search. |
| 4. Know your skills, abilities and motivations. All to often | | | | Following these steps will ensure your job search is |
| candidates are not marketing to their skills and abilities. | | | | shortened from the average seven months. Do not be |
| Knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are | | | | swayed into thinking you have plenty of time if you are |
| will ensure you are thoughtful and growth oriented. Do | | | | laid off. If you are underemployed staying in the job |
| not be blind sided by the "tell me your top three | | | | search with an up to date resume can ensure you |
| weaknesses". | | | | locate the right position for your talents. Most |
| 5. Explore all industry options. What would the ideal | | | | employers and recruiters believe good talent does not |
| environment look like for you? What industries have | | | | stay on the market for a long time, just like |
| this type of environment. For example, if you want to | | | | opportunities. The trick is to attractively position |
| wear jeans everyday apply to those type of | | | | yourself for this new high speed job search |
| organizations. | | | | marketplace. |