5 Big Do's for Your Career Search

Sadly, it needs to be repeated.

1. Know how your resume will look to them. This means, if you send a pdf, look at it first, how does it look? If you send it through a newspaper, know what format it comes out on the other end. Physically, how does your resume look to the person who makes the decision if you go on to the next round.

2. Include a cover letter and make it personal. When I work with companies, I bin (AKA throw it in the trash QUICKLY) any resume without a cover letter. And, believe it or not, many come through that way. Include a cover that shows me you spent time reading the job description and doing your homework on the company. And, hey, make me like you or at least be interested enough to move you to the next round.

3. Include an objective or something to make me see that you want THIS job in THIS industry. Take 30-seconds to refine it for each job you submit for.

4. Match the resume to the position you want. If I ask for someone who can manage a team of distributed people tell me about your experience doing that. Specifically, tell me how many, where they were and how you managed them. Make it easy for me to say yes to you.

5. Send it in via Email and Hard Copy Mail. The competition is fierce. Be assertive. DON'T EMAIL IT IN 5 TIMES... I'd bin you for annoying me.

Email me for 5 more tips. Happy Hunting.

Are You One of Them? 50%+ Dissatisfied with Job

A KDKA report (linked to this title) highlighted a finding that more than 50% of us are unhappy with our work. Wow. That is the greatest amount of dissatisfaction in the 22-year history of the ongoing report.

Reasons cited include:

• Jobs are not interesting (my interpretation....Help! I'm bored!)
• Wages are not keeping up with inflation ...(money doesn't go as far as it used to)
• Health care is skyrocketing and taking more of my pay (see above)

The first reason really resonates with me. Not only has it been the reason I've hit the bricks in the past but its also the reason many of my career coaching clients are seeking new adventures.

Good employees (those you want!) want to be challenged. They want to be equally rewarded for their work too. (Imagine that!)  They look FOR responsibility not "assistant-forever" positions with lower than livable wages and hours that would make the Department of Labor cringe.

I have clients who are willing to make less and work in non-profit- where they can make a difference or feel as though they can.

I have clients who are seeking to contribute their 15+ years of corporate board knowledge to something greater than themselves.

Now is the time. The time to seek fulfilling work that actually fulfills you. To step out of your routine and try something new in the name of enrichment.... to your life.

I really hate to see a great employee who has lost any shine to their work and their relationship to their work. We see them all the time. Help them out by telling them about this survey. They are not alone. They are now the majority. There is hope out there... for those who dare to venture.

6 Tips to A Better Job

I am so fortunate to work with such innovative clients. Yes, some of my clients are looking for work. Others are looking for opportunity… Opportunity to leave their current positions in pursuit of jobs or lifestyles that will be more fulfilling.

Now I know what you are thinking, “Lisa, why on earth would they choose to do that in this climate?” Well, because they can. You can too. Believe it or not the sky isn’t falling. Jobs are out there. Opportunities exist.

Most people will opt to complain about the market and allow the excuse to limit their potential. I don’t have those folks as clients, nor would I want them.

In the last two months I’ve had two clients choose to leave full-time, lucrative careers. One left to pursue her dream job, still in sales, but a far more risky and niche market. The other opted to pursue part-time work and focus on her family life. She did that with almost a year of thought and preparation.

Here is how you can find a better job… or dare I say “opportunity”

• Take a hard look at how you are living. What are your income needs? What expenditures do you have that you must continue to carry? Are you fulfilled in your current role/s?
  
• Identify your dreams. What would you like to do or not do with your time?
  
• Create a plan and a timeline for change. Map your dreams onto a timeline and begin your preparation today.
  
• Tell everyone you know (except perhaps your boss) about your dreams. Don’t be shy. They may know of an opportunity that exists that puts you on your path.
  
• Liquidate your “unnecessary stuff” and reduce all spending immediately to adequately prepare for the transition.
  
• Meet with people (over the internet perhaps) who’ve done it (in the specific or broad sense of what you plan to achieve) and learn from them.
  
  Here’s to a great life!

The Changing Face of YOU

I was at a presentation the other day on social media. The presenter illustrated how we are different than our parents’ generation. Young people today have had a dozen jobs before they turn 30, they meet and network online and they multi-task like never before.

I often have this conversation with people. Although I know quite a few people who stay at their jobs 10+, 30+ years, I know far more that change jobs every 3 years. I’ve been one of them (the latter).

I just added my part-time and full-time adventures up. I’ve had more than 25. Mind you, I started working at the age of 12 (“waitressing” for the inquiring minds). I’ve done everything from work as a gas station attendant, serve pizza from a pizza truck on Temple’s campus, deliver messages for a company called Heaven Sent, to work for a police think tank and top-military training company as an Investigative Scientist.

Regarding social media and electronic savvy: I met my husband via MySpace. (Need I say more?) We spoke via email a few months before meeting in person. I also own/manage 2 websites, 2 blogs, 1 Ezine and am frequently on Facebook. One final piece of evidence: I sent video thank you to my wedding guests, rather than traditional stationary thank yous.

And, last point, multi-tasking: For several years I’ve worn multiple hats. Those hats could be for the same company or working multiple jobs at the same time. My max is 3 jobs at once. I have a lot of energy. And, I have a lot of interests. I enjoy taking on interesting projects. (That’s not an invitation… unless you have something really phenomenal…)

I encourage you to consider who you are in today’s world. I think it’s great if you choose to stay in one place for 20+ years. I also think its okay to realize if your goals are elsewhere. My caution is that you get too stuck in your ways. Step outside your primary profession and see what people are doing. Go outside your company to socialize and see what the buzz is. Travel once per year to a place unlike your town. Accept and embrace adventure.

From one adventurer to another. Enjoy.