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Strategies for getting your job search unstuck
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GETTING UNSTUCK In Your Job Search Process
Linda (Lin) Phillips, MS, NCC, NCCC, MCC
Career and Life Transition Counseling
A Problem Well Defined…
• Identify all possible problems preventing you from getting the job
• Choose the biggest problem• Restate the problem as a question. E.g. How
can I ….• Brainstorm possible solutions
Five Common Problems
• Lost
• Stuck in Traffic
• Dead End
• Overwhelmed
• Mechanical Problems
Build Your Road Map
• Have a clear destination– Know what you want
• What job or role?• In what industry?• What size company?• What geographic location?
• Write your elevator statement
Build Your Road Map…continued
• Identify and list all qualifying employers– Currently open positions– And beyond. Ideas might come from:
• Networking• Yellow Pages• Chamber of Commerce• Industry directories• Internet search• Job postings• DM Business Record “Book of Lists”
Stand Out from the Others
• Build Relationships– Get involved:
• Professional Associations (Encyclopedia of Associations)• Breakfast Club• Chamber of Commerce• Service Organizations• Fraternities / Sororities• Networking events• Religious Organization
Stand Out from the Others…continued
• Build Relationships– Make contact with:
• Alumni Association / College Placement Office• Recruiters• Former employers• Friends / relatives / former co-workers
Stand Out from the Others…continued
• Create Outstanding Documents– Design your letterhead…and use it– Use key words of the industry / employer in cover
letter and resume– Match the order your qualifications to the job ad– Use a QR code to route the reader to your web-site– Print and use personal business cards– Create a business-style e-mail address– Design and use a portfolio
Stand Out from the Others…continued
• Follow Up with the employer. . .– 1 week after sending resume– On the date the position is closed– On decision dates– Once a month
• Send a Thank You letter following each contact
Stand Out from the Others…continued
• Innovate– Prove you fit the employer’s culture (match
messages)– Incorporate a QR code on your resume / business
card– Meet face-to-face– Offer to help first and get hired later– Give three solutions to a problem the company faces– Provide a work sample
Create an Alternate Route
• Gain new skills
• Keep up with current trends
• Change Industries
• Expand geographic locations
• Add second choice career
• Work a temporary assignment
• Be a Consultant
Create an Alternate Route…continued
• Accept contract work
• Become an entrepreneur
• Volunteer … www.unitedwaydm.org
• Step back one level
• Look at lateral position
• Take an internship
• Seek professional help
Get It Together• Get Focused:
– Look Inward• Values• Themes• Abilities
– Look Backward• Accomplishments• Results• Past Dreams• Repair bridges that need to be mended
Get It Together…continued
• Get focused (continued)– Look Forward
• Ideal• Self-employed vs. work for another
– Look upward• What is my greater purpose• What is my calling
Get It Together…continued
• Get Organized– Set weekly / daily goals– Schedule goal related activities each day– Keep track. Hint: Use JibberJobber or
Becomed.com, on-line organizational tools– Establish an in-home work space
• Reward Yourself when you have met your goals
Use Preventive Maintenance
• Take a break• Do something for JOY• Eat right• Get regular exercise, build endorphins• Wake and sleep on same schedule• Avoid isolation
Preventive Maintenance…continued
• Give purpose to your life• Volunteer… www.unitedwaydm.org
• It’s OK to grieve …privately• Get professional help
– Career Counselor or Career coach• NBCC.org thecoaches.com coachfederation.org
– Mental Health professional
Contact Information
Linda (Lin) Phillips, MS, NCC, NCCC, MCC
Career and Life Transition Counseling200 Army Post Road, Suite 3
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
515-285-1240www.iowacareercounselor.com