Tuesday, January 5, 2010

New Year ... New Plan ... New Job!

Conducting a job search during the holidays is tough. With all the shopping, Christmas parties, and family get-togethers, it is easy to get distracted … and with good reason. It is Christmas, after all.

But today, the first week of 2010, is where the rubber meets the road! You realize that not only do you need to get back on track, you need to develop a new plan to ensure your job search success!

Here are 10 strategies for the New Year … New Plan … New Job!!

  1. Get clear on a job goal. A clear job goal helps to create a job search plan that is intense, focused, and will bring purpose to everything you do in your job search.
  2. Maintain a consistent brand! Don’t dilute your brand by trying to be all things to all employers! Identify what sets you apart from others in your field. Be clear on your promises of value to the employer. This will go a long way in helping you become memorable in an otherwise competitive marketplace!
  3. Incorporate a diversified mix of job search strategies into your plan. Don’t just sit behind your computer checking Monster and CareerBuilder for published job leads. Include other high-impact job search strategies such as structured networking and informational interviews, targeted employer campaigns, and networking via social media!
  4. Network! Network! Network! Network with family and friends; former colleagues, customers, and associates; professional contacts such as your dentist, chiropractor or hair stylist. Reconnect with old customers, vendors, and competitors. Conduct more structured networking and informational interviews, targeted employer campaigns, and learn to use LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to expand your network and build your personal brand.
  5. Identify how to incorporate your natural talents into your job search. Your talents are those things you do with excellence … and with the least amount of effort. Wouldn’t it be great if your job search plan included a unique set of activities that were engaging and authentic for you? How would this change the way you are currently going about your job search?
  6. Be more proactive in your job search! Don’t sit back and wait to be picked. Seek to develop new opportunities through new networking and employer contacts, and consistent follow up. Don’t leave the awesome task of managing your job search to someone else. Take ownership for your activities, connections and results!
  7. Don’t get stuck by the road blocks. When you hit a road block (and you will), rather than focus on the obstacle ask yourself “what do I need to do to get around this road block?” Focusing on the solution rather than the problem will help keep you moving forward in your job search!
  8. Network with the goal of getting RESULTS! Networking is more than just attending an event, exchanging business cards, or even having a great conversation. Networking with purpose means going into a networking event with an agenda and being equipped with the tools and strategies to help you generate conversations, develop rapport, build trust, lead the conversation so you can help others AND get results for yourself!
  9. Follow up and follow through on every employer contact. Don’t allow yourself to be stopped by the fact you don’t have a name or phone number. You have a volume of information available to you at your fingertips through various sites such as LinkedIn, the Chamber of Commerce, America’s Career InfoNet, Facebook, and Twitter. Worst case scenario, you can look up the employer’s main phone number in the Yellow Pages and use your professional charm and finesse to navigate through several holds and transfers until you reach the right person!
  10. Develop a strong support structure to help you remain physically, spiritually, and emotionally strong. Establish “office hours” in which you conduct your job search. This will create the routine and support in your job search that work often provides. Surround yourself with critical people that energize you and speak life and blessings over your situation. Align yourself with balcony people who inspire you and make you feel like you can be more tomorrow than you are today; they inspire you to win!

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Valerie Plis is a Master Certified Career Coach and Strengths Coach. She is the founder of Exceed With Purpose Coaching LLC and the Job Search Ministry Network. She has a reputation for helping professionals find jobs and design strong careers. Valerie inspires, encourages, and challenges others to pursue their passion, purpose, and potential with tenacity and determination. Find out more information at www.ExceedWithPurpose.com or contact Valerie directly at ValeriePlis@ExceedWithPurpose.com or (513) 934-2955.