Are you or any of your friends looking for a Job?
By :: Denis Orme

 

MEMORABLE PRESENTERS ARE GREAT STORYTELLERS

"The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms," - Muriel Rukeyser.

Our lives are a series of stories woven together--our own stories and the stories of those around us.  In the business world, many successful top executives are very good storytellers.

Bill Gates continually told us of his dream of putting a personal computer on every desktop and in every home.

Stories are easy to tell and easy to remember.  Therefore they are easy to spread.  A leader can start a good story on its way, and watch it take on a life of its own.

A MEMORABLE PRESENTER who has a great story and tells it, has a much easier time connecting to his/her audience and creating a sustainable presentation, than anyone who relies on data shows and charts.   How do you rate?

“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.” - Oprah Winfrey

 

 

Now on to Leading Ways :: Are you or your friends looking for a Job?

We are in a very tough job market, and one which is going to continue for the foreseeable future.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is that  ::

Job Search is a Numbers Game

What I am referring to is:

Finding A Job Is A Methodical Managed Process

80% of all jobs found come from those in your network

Treat finding a job, AS YOUR JOB until you land something new.  Eight hours a day, every day.

You might say that it’s easy for me to say.  Not really though, I have started over between countries several times, and seeking out consulting projects is no different from finding that new career opportunity.  In both cases you are prospecting to see (1) if there is a need with the potential organization, and (2) if you are the best person to fill that need.

Yes, there will be times when you become despondent and it all seems too hopeless when there are millions out of work.  But my friends you need to stay motivated and always putting new network contacts in the funnel…. Play the numbers and increase your chances for success.   

Surround yourself with positive people, use music and exercise as ways to overcome any motivation slump, and have a daily/weekly goal of the number of contacts you are going to make.  Instead of retreating into your house or apartment, find ways to get dressed up and go out.  Going to meetings, meeting people for coffee or even going to the library to do research. 

"All the darkness of the world cannot put out the light on one small candle."

 

From my personal experience, try and finish the day with a contact that has been positive.

If you end the day on a positive note you are more likely to be fired up and ready to go the next morning.  If the last call of the day was really negative it will be hard to pick up the phone the next day.

The other important thing to remember is flexibility.  I have spent time with several people who have been out of the job market for some time. 

It is not surprising when you listen to them…… “I only do this type of work……”  -or- “I am only looking for permanent work….”  After all the layoffs we know there is no career for life, so why not consider part time, contract, temp or project work?  Look also at home-based business options.

Over time you have developed a set of skills.  Consider using your skills (signature strengths) in other industries, or in other types of jobs.

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to identifying skills go to www.authentichappiness.org and take the free VIA Signature Strengths test.  Not only will the test give you your 24 signature strengths, but it will rank them for you.  The next step is to ask yourself “Where can I apply those strengths?’

Finding a job is a Managed Process

Here are the building blocks

 

 

Send a short email.  The goal -- attract attention as to why they should spend a few minutes face-to-face with you, even if they don’t have a current vacancy.  And yes, you should follow up the email 2-3 days later with a phone call.  The goal of the call being to get an interview.

If they are not interested at least ask for help, and suggestions as to who else you should contact….. more people for your funnel.

 

Remember my words about face-time?  The question then is to seek ways to meet the recruiter face-to-face.  Not only will they have invested time in you, but your CV has become alive and memorable, not just lifeless paper on a stack or one of hundreds of emails.

 

While you are waiting….. find any kind of work!

When I first left a Big 5 Accounting firm in the USA and was spending time prospecting for projects I did things like stocking shelves – nightshift at Kmart, and providing Customer Service at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey etc. 

Is it demeaning?  Nothing is demeaning if you are putting food on the table!

It’s not only giving you a few dollars but it’s fun learning new and different roles and industries.  There is always a way during temporary work to find time to attend job interviews. 

What does your managed plan look like? ……. Make up something like the following and run off as many copies as you need…… it is a quick way of managing your overall activity and not losing track of the follow-up

Weekly plan ……. Week of     /    /2009

 

Referrals (Type of Contact) –  organization if any, and contact details	Follow-up date	Reason to follow-up
Job Fairs – Trade Shows - Organization meetings – name of each	Goal – meet 5/6 people and develop a reason to follow-up with each	Follow-up activity
Recruiters contacted	Contact date	Follow-up date and reason to follow-up
Target companies in your industry – contact person	Goal – develop a reason to follow-up with each	Follow-up activity
Job Search Websites	Goal – Load your profile and set up alerts by job type and location	Follow-up activity – applying for positions once you start being alerted to opportunities

Sample networking, introduction and job application letters are beyond the scope of this article.  As is preparing a CV.  However, a starting point is to look up www.about.com or www.seek.co.nz and use their resources.  Once you have a draft, email it to me and I would be happy to give feedback.  denis.orme@yahoo.com

Once you get that interview, don’t blow it!  Plan the interview, and what you want the outcome to be.

 

 

 

If there is a vacancy you are excited about, why not have a pizza delivered with your note – it becomes a talking point in the business.  Your hand-written note should stress the fit between you and the role, and why you are excited about the opportunity.

"No one gets very far unless he accomplishes the impossible at least once a day." - Elbert Hubbard -

 

As I said recently ….. Feel the fear and just do it!  To me that means making at least 5-8 contacts per day.

Have a look at some great photos, taken by yours truly::

                                http://www.flickr.com/photos/38359909@N06/

Kind regards

Denis Orme

027-472-8610
www.leader-success.com
New Seminars!

 
p.s.,  Call me if you are looking for a speaker for your next business meeting.
            027-472-8610