My mentor and friend Don Clifton told a story about a neighbor who made his living as a master woodworker. One day Don went to his shop. He watched him mitering the corners of a picture frame, which came out perfect and looked beautiful.

When the job was done Don’s friend looked at him and said: “Don, you got to get a kick out of it every time it fits like that.”

There is some work for which we find tremendous joy and satisfaction, and then there is work that we may do well but is life-draining. Don’s friend had been a woodworker for many years, but still enjoyed when he did the task well.

To the degree you can, find work for which you get a kick, that provides that same kind of feeling. If you don’t know what that might be, step back and reflect on your past work and think about times when your work, even modest tasks, provided that satisfaction.

You’ll probably be asked a question like “what do you find most satisfying in your work?” You’ll have an answer, and a savvy employer will want you if what you enjoy fits with the work they are offering.

Find prospective employers where they have work for which you can find satisfaction, and tell your story.

“The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry.”

I’m a fan of the film “The Shawshank Redemption”, and this is one of my favorite lines. We have gotten a big hurry in this world of ours, often to our detriment.

This is true for those in the job search. Yes, you need to have a plan and work your plan, but you should also set aside time, perhaps a day or so, to slow it down.

For starters, get off the computer and social media. (Ironic I’m using social media to tell you this, right?

Find an activity that nourishes you. Perhaps you should spend some time in nature (socially distanced, of course), walking in a park or on a lake.

Or how about a good book? Lose yourself in a good story. I enjoy a good mystery—how about you?

Maybe a way to slow down is to be with family or friends (you know what I’m going to say about safety again), particularly with those who can provide some joy or levity or health distraction.

Slow it down.

A final way you may need to slow down is to get some professional help, to walk along side of you in these difficult times.

Yes, your job search awaits you, but do time to recharge and refresh.

#jobsearch #careers

There are free training videos on the web site of my faith community. Please pass along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources 

A research study found folks were more likely to exercise if we could only watch a favorite television show AFTER they had exercised. The idea is you are more likely to do what you dislike if you have an enjoyable experience to look forward to after you’ve done the unpleasant task.

We may put up with a bit of pain if we have something pleasurable to look forward to after the pain.

As part of your job search plan, trying using this approach:

~ Reach out and do networking calls with strangers, THEN watch “Stranger Things”.

~ Send out an incredible resume and cover letter that is customized to a specific job, THEN watch “The Incredibles”.

Is binge watching not a reward that motivates you? Maybe your reward would be to head out (safely) to a local park—do the unpleasant task and make that your reward.

William Butler Yeats said: “Joy is of the will which labours, which overcomes obstacles, which knows triumph.” Let’s push forward, and enjoy a bit of a reward for our efforts.

Recruit someone to act as your coach, who can provide accountability and support along with way. Your coach can also help with some job search tasks, such as prepping you for an interview.

The only requirements of a coach are they care for you and are willing to help. A good coach could be a loved one, co-worker, or neighbor.

Have at least one meeting with your coach every week. Show them your work plan and talk about where you’ve made progress and where you fell behind. Your coach doesn’t need to show up with a ruler to wrap your knuckles, but are there to listen, to support and to inspire.

What do you pay your coach for their efforts? I’ve found a heartfelt thank you, and maybe some homemade cookies, to be more than enough compensation.

There are twelve brief training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources 

Over on Twitter I saw a post from Hasibul Hossain Shanto, urging folks to update their resume regularly. My thoughts on why that’s important:

~ Although you have a job, in these challenging times, your job status can change quickly. If your resume is up to date you will be able to move more quickly into the job market.

~ You’ll more likely remember the specifics around an accomplishment or success you have had. We may forget certain details as time goes by, so it’s better to document those results regularly.

~ As you update your resume you can also determine if your online profiles need a refresh.

You have an important story to tell, but it’s a story that is still unfolding. Take a few minutes regularly to document that story so when you need to tell it you’ll be at your very best.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

There are free training videos on the web site of my faith community: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

You’ve gotten yourself an interview for a job you’re excited about, but you get a sense you might not be their “ideal” candidate. You may have a skill gap, or perhaps you don’t have experience in the industry.

Here’s an idea—address their potential concern head on.

If you go through the interview and they haven’t asked about “the elephant in the living room”, you might want to say something like: “You may have concerns about me being a candidate for this job. What are your concerns about me as a candidate for this job?”

And, of course, you will have practiced the answer to the elephant question, acknowledging you may be a different candidate but have the skills and experience that can make you a great fit.

I’m not the kind of person who likes to let an elephant get too comfortable in the living room. Address the potential concern head on, tell your story, and put your best foot forward.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

There are free training videos on the web site of my faith community: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

Mark Twain tells a story about a man who in life was a cobbler, but if he were a general would have been the greatest general of all time.

There’s nothing wrong with being a cobbler, but what if your dream is to be something else?

Your dream job may be out there.

You may need to spend time thinking about the elements of your dream job—your interests, your strengths, ideal work culture, ideal manager, salary and benefits— do this work.

Look, not everyone is going to find their dream job, but you’ll never find something you don’t search for.

Look for your dream job—it might be out there.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources  Y

I always wanted to be Indiana Jones, but like him I don’t much like snakes.

I liked that those movies delivered a happy ending, and as a job seeker you’ll need to tell stories with happy endings to prospective employers.

You’ll be often asked to tell those stories when they ask you a question that starts like “tell me about a time when…”

Those happy stories will need to have four parts:

1. What was the problem or challenge you faced?

2. What did you do?

3. What were the results you achieved?

4. What did you learn that you could apply here?

To get ready, write every story down, then learn them and practice telling them. You’ll need several, because maybe an interviewer wants the Star Wars story and not Indy Jones.

People like stories. Give them Indy and Yoda and snakes and light sabers and all.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

As if it wasn’t difficult enough to be unemployed, there is research which provides evidence there is a bias to hiring people who don’t have a job. (Here’s a link to one study: https://tinyurl.com/y74mjgq2)

Why the bias?

According the research and my personal experience, some employers see unemployment as a “scarlet letter”, where somehow your lack of a job is a reflection on your character. Just because you don’t have a job doesn’t mean that, but the bias will be something you will need to manage.

Some ideas to lessen the bias:

· If you can, make it less personal: “As you may know, several people were laid off because of the pandemic”.

· Get multiple references from former employers.

· Network with employees who work where you are interviewing and establish a level of rapport.

· And, of course, be prepared to tell your story of your accomplishments.

I wish there weren’t biases in the hiring process, but they exist. Control what you can and make your case.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips#jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

In your job search you will meet many people. Some of those contacts will be helpful, some won’t be particularly helpful, and some may be downright annoying.

Thank them all.

No exceptions.

If I have a mailing address I prefer go old school and write a note. It’s a nice touch and will differentiate you because most people won’t make the effort.

In absence of that you can also send something electronically. I’m posting below a free site created by my employer. I posted this yesterday, so forgive me if I’m sounding like a stuck record. It has several card options and is easy to use. You don’t have to use this site, but do something.

There is so much in your job search you can’t control, but this is something that is within your control.

Aside from being a smart thing to do it also happens to be, in my view, a kind and considerate thing to do.

And I think the world can always use a bit more of those qualities, don’t you?

https://appreciate.biworldwide.com/

#recognize #recognition #appreciate #appreciation #inspire #inspiration