Ford R. Myers, Career Coach, Speaker and Author of "Get The Job You Want,
Even When No One's Hiring" (John Wiley & Sons, 2009, getthejobbook.com),
has developed 20 specific strategies and tactics that consistently generate
powerful results for job seekers, even when it seems like no one is hiring.
1. Network, network, network. Continually increase your level of
networking and keep expanding your contact database. There is no substitute
for connecting with people one-on-one.
2. Seek help. Get career support from
a professional. A qualified career coach can better prepare you to land your
next position.
3. Read career books and attend career seminars. Being
informed about business will keep you "fresh" as a candidate, and helps you
consistently improve your career management and job-search skills.
4.
Leverage technology. Utilize Web sites and online services to connect with
your industry and to build greater visibility. Create a career Web site and
reach out through social networking sites such as Facebook, Linked-In and
Twitter.
5. Differentiate yourself. Position yourself as an expert by
writing articles, giving presentations, or teaching a class. Get involved in
professional organizations and assume leadership roles there.
6. Use your
time off wisely. Pursue professional development by participating in
classes, seminars, certifications and industry conferences.
7. Pursue a
temporary, part-time, or contract position. Volunteer, provide pro bono
work, take on a consulting contract, or complete an internship or
apprenticeship. All these options provide excellent "bridge job"
opportunities.
8. Act with speed and urgency. Demonstrate that you're more
serious and more determined than the competition. Show up earlier. Arrive
more prepared. Move quickly and efficiently. Make an impression by being
more responsive and assertive than other candidates.
9. Take care of
yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest. You'll need to be
healthy and vital to maintain the pace of an active job search campaign.
10.
Be flexible and adaptable. Consider shifting industries and/or being
geographically mobile to open-up more career possibilities, even if you
would not choose these options under normal circumstances.
11. Improve and
enhance all the documents in your career portfolio. Craft a unified package
that consistently conveys a highly professional image of yourself. This will
include a Resume, a one-page Professional Biography, a collection of
powerful Accomplishment Stories, a series of compelling Cover Letters, a
page of Professional References, a list of Target Companies, and a 15-second
commercial (Positioning Statement).
12. Identify industries that will emerge
stronger when the market improves. Research emerging opportunities and
niches that will offer career growth, and position yourself to take
advantage of these trends.
13. Practice interviewing and negotiation skills.
Solicit the help of a partner to role-play with you, and switch roles as
needed with the questions and answers. Practice with an audio-recording
device, and listen to yourself as you continually improve your performance.
14. Be patient, but persistent. Be persistent, but don't be a pest, as you
follow up consistently on every opportunity. Don't put all your eggs in one
basket. Instead, keep moving forward as you explore every appropriate
opening you can find.
15. Focus on tangible results and practical solutions.
The primary question in the employer's mind will be, "What can you do for me
-- now?" This means that you should quickly identify the employer's most
pressing needs and challenges -- and then explain exactly how your relevant
accomplishments will allow you to successfully address those issues in the
short term.
16. Work from a budget. Instead of going into a panic or
worrying that you'll lose everything you've worked for, conduct a detailed
analysis of your financial situation and develop a family budget. You may
discover that you're in a better financial position than you had thought.
17. Be kind to yourself. There is no longer the same stigma there used to be
about being unemployed, as almost every family in America has been touched
by layoffs and downsizings. Forgive yourself, forgive your ex-employer, and
forgive the world. Move on toward a better career future.
18. Pay extra
attention to your personal image. First impressions count. Make a
deliberate, consistent effort to present yourself in the best light. Now is
the ideal time to take stock of your appearance, and make whatever changes
you feel could improve your image -- and your job search results.
19. Watch
your attitude. Maintain a positive attitude. Never state anything negative
or act desperate. Spend some time each day focusing-in and recalibrating
your internal attitude.
20. Be philosophical. Try to find the life lessons
and new perspectives in this transition. Commit to yourself that, somehow,
you will make this a rewarding and productive experience.
"Conducting a successful job search campaign takes energy, discipline,
and career support. Despite the pressures many face in today's employment
market, job seekers must stay focused on their goals and search smart," says
Myers.
For more information and other useful tips to achieving career success,
visit http://www.getthejobbook.com .
Copyright (R) 2010, Career Potential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted by permission of Ford R. Myers, a
nationally-known Career Coach and author of "Get The Job You Want, Even When
No One's Hiring." Download your Free Special Report, "10 Vital Strategies to
Maximize Your Career Success" at
http://www.careerpotential.com .
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CONTACT: Ilyse Shapiro,
(610) 642-7427 (PA);
or Ford R. Myers, contact@careerpotential.com; 610-649-1778 (PA), or
http://www.careerpotential.com .
ABOUT:
Ford R. Myers is President of Career Potential, LLC. His firm helps
clients take charge of their careers, create the work they love, and earn
what they deserve! Ford has held senior consulting positions at three of the
nation's largest career service firms. His articles and interviews have
appeared in many national magazines and newspapers, and he has conducted
presentations at numerous companies, associations and universities. In
addition, Ford has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs
across the country. He is author of Get the Job You Want, Even When No One's
Hiring. More information is available at:
http://www.getthejobbook.com and
http://www.careerpotential.com
.
