“Purging your resume of jargon and cliches”
by Ashley Petry
Indy Star – February 17, 2013

 “Why grammar matters in the job search”
by Ashley Petry
Indy Star – January 13, 2013

 “Resolve to find career bliss in 2013″
by Brooke Baker
Indy Star – December 30, 2012

“Twas the night before the job search”
By Brooke Baker
Indy Star – December 16, 2012

“Title IX: Opportunity rises; pay gap persists”
By Kirsten Clark
The Columbus Republic – June 24, 2012

“How Grads Can Prepare for a Search”
By Ashley Petry
Indy Star – March 25, 2012

“Boost your profile with blogs, Twitter and LinkedIn, experts say”
By Dana Hunsinger
Indy Star  – June 27, 2010

““Spring Clean Your Resume””
By John Adams for Custom Publications
Indy Star  -March 14, 2010

“5 High-stress Jobs”
By Sandy Fugate
Indy Star May 16,2007

The job search process may seem to require the very same magic that enables reindeer to fly – but it doesn’t have to be that way. With these helpful tips from industry experts, you’ll be commandeering your job search as easily as the jolly ol’ fellow manages his team.

1. Self-inventory
The first step in the job search is a little introspection. Before looking for opportunities, job hunters should understand their own strengths, said Tim Dugger, Career Coach and Owner of Career Café in Indianapolis. He recommends personality and vocational tests as a starting point.
“The testing is designed to help individuals (bring focus to a job search by) answering three questions: What is the product you’re selling? Who are you selling it to? Why should they buy it over any other product?” Dugger said.

2. Confidence
Job seekers must believe in themselves before they can convince an employer to do the same, and that’s why confidence is vital. This aspect can be challenging to conjure by someone who’s become discouraged by a long search or is desperate to find any job. Still, it’s essential to keep up the confidence. Dugger advises job seekers to write a list of motivators (what they want in a job) and a list of their strengths (what they bring to the position) and post it somewhere visible, like the bathroom mirror as a clarity exercise.

3. Self•lmprovement
Every candidate has room for improvement, even those who are at the top of their game. Employers like candidates who are engaging in other activities to keep their skills fresh, said Starla West, certified image strategist and the founder and president of Starla West International. “The best, most talented, most successful professionals invest in strengthening their strengths,” West said. This is most important for job seekers who were unemployed, she said.

Employers aren’t afraid to ask, “What are you doing in your free time?” West said. Successful candidates are able to say they are using that time wisely whether it’s getting additional training or networking.

4. Networking
The three best ways to find a job are networking, networking and networking, Dugger said. If someone finds himself laid-off tomorrow, the very first thing I recommend you do is tell everyone he knows that he’s looking for a job.

Dugger also urges job seekers to establish a LinkedIn profile. They should even go so far as to (state) in their profile that they are unemployed and looking for opportunities.
If you’re unemployed, I typically tell people to list your job title as “In Transition”. Headhunters and hiring managers tend to look for that phrase, he said.

5. Research
Researching a company before an interview is essential but fact finding should actually begin before submitting an application or resume, West said. Only after learning about the company and position should a candidate apply. If an interview is scheduled, they can dig deeper and learn more about the company and the hiring manager. The last step is to develop the list of questions for the interviewer, Dugger said.
“You should have six or seven prepared questions. There is your opportunity to demonstrate you’ve done your research and have some knowledge about the organization”, he said.

6. Rehearsal
Rehearsing for a job interview goes a long way toward reducing nerves and fine tuning standard answers. Dugger suggests working with a job coach or a friend or family member to prepare. As a bonus, that individual’s feedback and encouragement can bolster the candidate’s confidence.

7. Polish
The candidate who understands her strengths, is confident, and has a clear sense of purpose, should make sure her outward appearance matches up. That means select clothing to make sure it’s clean, pressed and appropriate for the environment. Shoes should be polished, nails and hair washed, and accessories appropriate, West said.
Candidates should pay attention to the small details by taking along a nice pen and carrying a tidy attaché or purse.

8. Poise
All of this self-inventory, research, rehearsal and polish should give the job seeker new confidence and clear poise heading into the interview.
“the way we project credibility is through our words, West said. We need to be able to clearly articulate why that company should hire us.

In just a few days lots of people will line up at the job search starting line. The gun will be pointed (hopefully up), the starter will shout those magic words “Ready, Set, GOOO!!!”………  And a few people will shoot out of the starting blocks, down the road and over the horizon on the way to their new career. They had a plan.

However from my experience, the minute the gun goes off, the vast majority of job seekers are going nowhere fast. They’ll stand up, look around in confusion and say “gee, I’m not really sure where I’m going. And even if I did know where I was going, I don’t know how to get there.”

Meanwhile, the prepared folk are far ahead of the pack. They’re prepared. They know who they are, and why they should be hired over anyone else.  They have a plan and they’re out executing it right now. How far behind are you? If this sounds like you, we can help. Call or email us for a free introductory appointment. And meanwhile, get your sneakers ready. You’re going to be using them soon.

Inspire hope!
Tim

Give the gift of hope, confidence and self awareness. Our gift certificates are available in denominations from $100 on up. Call me, Coach Tim,  today at 317-804-4068 and I’ll help you select the best present you’ve ever given.

Average Duration of Unemployment

Unemployed Persons by Industry and Class of Worker

Employment Situation Summary Table A

“What Common Mistakes Are Job Seekers Making Today and What To Do About It”
With “Pete the Planner” December 16, 2010

“Why Your Job Search Isn’t Working And What To Do About It”
With “Pete the Planner” August 23, 2010

“Starting a Company in this Economic Climate”
Panel discussion March 23, 2010

How is the Financial Crisis Affecting You?
March 10, 2009

“Tips and Tricks for Finding a New Job”
January 8, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

Inspire hope!

Tim

But once it does, WATCH OUT! Employers are going to be walking into their businesses and wonder “where did everybody go???”  When the job market finally does loosen up your going to see the largest game of musical chairs ever played. Backfilling positions of people that have left will accelerate hiring demand on our labor force and eventually help the 17% of unemployed persons who have given up searching to return to the workforce.

But it may not be long before the song starts playing. According to  a recent study by MetLife’s 9th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends. “Employee morale is at a 3 year low.”  That low morale is ultimately going to cause people to say “I don’t care what the consequences are, I’m outa here!!!”

If I were an employer right now, I’d be paying close attention to keeping my employees happy.  And maybe staffing up my recruiting department.

Tim Dugger 04-18-11