Make Sure Your Kids Are Ready For School

I know there is a lot going on...looking for a job, still having to go to work, revising your resume...all the while, your kid(s) are getting ready to start school. The good thing is that their going to school will free up some time for your job search. The bad thing is school starts right as finding a job becomes critical. Don't stress. I found a great website with some helpful tips on how to get organized for the pending school year (Back to School Preparation). Take a deep breath and know that everything will be OK...

Going Out On Your Own??

Contrary to popular belief, this is the perfect time to start your own business or do contract work. Rents are low and businesses are more prone to use contract staff because they don't have to pay them health insurance or invest in workman's comp/social security benefits...they are just cheaper in the long run. This is the time to start something new. For information on how to start your own LLC, read Josh's blog (JoshBruce). He has first-hand experience starting his own LLC and was nice enough to document the process. I know nothing about LLC's or doing contract work, but I suggest starting an LLC to keep all money separate from your personal money - keep it legal.

And this is just my personal thought...but after all the dust settles and the economy begins to heal, I am pretty sure contract workers are going to be a huge part of the workforce. Employers are going to be hesitant to hire FT workers, provide them with health care, and pay into their unemployment because for awhile, no one will really trust that the economy is truly healing itself. This "recession" (or whatever you chose to call it) has really taken a toll on the business owner and their trust in the "system". Hiring contract workers allows you to get the services you need without making a commitment to keeping that person employed. This will work for many industries.

From all the reports I have been hearing, this is a good time to start a "relevant" business...meaning something businesses may need on a contract basis. Josh's LLC is a publishing company, but a lot more than that. Companies will likely be subbing out work for services that Josh can provide, so this is a great time for him to go out on his own. Some other services include AutoCAD, IT services, Marketing, etc. If you have a large enough network to draw from and they can provide you with a large network of people...go out on your own!

Remember the basics of networking, this will be the key to your success. A great book for how to network to support your business is The 29% Solution. This book provides a 52-week plan on how to network to get your business going and keep it going. I haven't completed it, but so far I am impressed.

Good luck!!

What Do You Want To Hear About??

So for the last month, I have been rant/raving about the benefits of networking. I have offered random tips regarding searching for a job. Are there any topics that I haven't covered that you would like to know more about? Please provide suggestions or I will continue with my random subject matter. I have a couple more topics on my list to cover; however, my preference is to offer my "listeners" the option to make a request.

In the meantime, keep your chin up!!

Diversify Your Contacts

It's easy to get caught in a rut...hanging out with the same people, doing the same things. It's comfortable and that's OK. However when you are looking for a job, you need to mix things up a bit. Doing the same things with the same people...that needs to change!

I don't encourage blowing off your old friends...but now is the time to meet some new people, reconnect with some old people, and do things you haven't done in awhile or have always wanted to do...diversify your contacts. Whether you keep a handwritten list, a Rolodex, an outlook contact list or you rely on Facebook to keep you perpetually connected, look up some old friends. That's the easiest place to start. Reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in awhile. It's always nice to hear from someone you haven't heard from in awhile...try it! But you need to follow through. Meet at a familiar watering hole or restaurant. Go somewhere you used to go in the "old days". Reconnect and re-familiarize yourself with old friends.

Making new friends isn't always that easy. Where do you go to meet new friends? I would hit up my current friends. Recently an old friend of mine had a party that I attended. I did what all true networkers do, I brought one of my current friends. While I was there, I met someone that we just hit it off and now I have a new friend. So it worked out great!! I introduced a current friend to an old friend (that is a great icebreaker because they have good "material"...particularly with me!). Don't be shy about asking if you can bring a friend. If your friends are really friends, they won't mind more friends at the occasion, right?

Good luck in your quest to diversify your network...it's easy!!

How Many Days Are Left??

As we get closer to the day, I will resume the "countdown". I will refrain for a little while in hopes you forget where I was in the countdown and I don't look like I can't count!! But those of you who know me, know better.

Today's topic is Your Job Search is 24/7.

Let's start with your Facebook profile. If you have public profile (meaning anyone can see it) be assured potential employers are looking at your profile. So if you are playing Mafia Wars or gloating about how drunk you were last week...probably not a great idea. You can't control what "your people" say (and believe me, I have some people I wish I could sensor!!), but you can determine the message you want to send to those people viewing your profile. So if you are job searching, at least for the time being, keep the games and gaudy comments to a minimum so as not to offend anyone.

Regarding your LinkedIn profile, be sure everything on your profile matches your resume and everything has been spell checked. This is a strictly professional networking site and you want your daily comment (if you choose to post one) to represent that you are continuing your job search (in 140 characters or less). You want to appear professional, so make sure your picture is professional. I encourage posting a picture; however, others might not agree with that. Mine is generic (cropped from a group photo), but I think it captures who I am...I am smiling and you can't see wrinkles or really determine how old I am.

Your job search is 24/7...remember that. You are searching for a job every time you go to the grocery store, salon, church, or anywhere you might go throughout the course of a day. I am not saying you need to be dressed in a suit at all times, but be polite, smile, be open to conversation, and be prepared to talk about yourself. You never know when you might be in front of someone who could be your next job prospect. I am always amazed the information I find out about people when I stop to talk to someone...even my family.

...which brings me to another point. Most people, me included, think your family knows you best...probably not the case. We just take for granted that our family knows our skill set and what we do at our job. MAKE SURE your family can speak intelligently about what it is you do. They are your best sales people, but only if they know what it is you do. Honestly, whenever someone asks me what my brother does, I pause...."something with computers and gaming." Not very clear, is it? Good thing I am not trying to find him a job, right? He usually knows what I do though...good thing (but I'm not a rocket scientist!!).

You are sales people now...selling the hardest thing there is to sell - yourselves. I say that not because people find it very hard to see the good in themselves. Believe me, you are all THE BEST!! I have worked with you and know you have so much to offer some other firm. Write a list of your accomplishments and keep them with you, recite them, and then recite them to others. Those are the things that make you special and more deserving of a job than someone else. Ask your spouse, mom, best friend what your best qualities are and add them to the list. When people ask me what makes me so special, I tell them...I am not the smartest person, but I know a little about a lot of stuff. I catch on quick and I am enthusiastic about everything I do (OK...except filing, but I keep it fun!). I can't promise you that I will be the most detail oriented person, but I can promise you that I will be the most enthusiastic and helpful. No one can deny me that, right? Find those great qualities in yourself that you are comfortable talking about and keep them close. Those will be what SELL YOU! Oh...and have a little faith ;)

Day 23...Volunteer

Three weeks until we close...is that right? I can't be sure. My count may be a week off. For those who know me...it's about numbers - not real good with numbers! At any rate, time is winding down.

A big thank you to everyone who is reading my blog!!! I am truly flattered. Everyday someone comes by and asks me a question about the job search and lets me know that they have been reading my blog. I can't thank you enough. I hope it is helping.

I continue to stress the importance of networking. In particular, volunteer your time. If you have PTO you can use, volunteer one day a week with some organization you feel strongly about. Whether it be St. Mary's Food Bank or the Animal Rescue, volunteer your time. In encourage volunteering anyway, but this is an both an opportunity to network as well as add to your resume - all the while doing something good.

Many times organizations hire from their volunteer base. If you have some special skills that you can offer an organization (Habitat for Humanity may need some CAD work done or someone who can read plans??), let them know. Provide them first with help in the areas where they are requesting help, then "in your travels" let them know you have other skills that they may be able to utilize. This works particularly well for admin staff, accounting, marketing, and graphic design staff, but I certainly wouldn't limit it to those areas.

Volunteer with your church. I keep bringing up church because I am surprised that many people haven't tapped into that network. A friend of mine mentioned prayer cards. If you aren't super outgoing, submit a prayer card for CMX and the staff looking for jobs. Be sure the pastor knows who has submitted the card so if someone wants to help, you can be found. Volunteer your time with the church. If your church has any intentions of expanding or building other churches, volunteer your design services. Sure, it's great to be paid for your efforts, but doing something good is good for the soul. When you do good things, good things will happen to you.

For those of you who don't already know, thanks to the kindness of others and their networking abilities, I have a job. So as I write, I am proof that networking works. Now that we have LinkedIn and Facebook (which by the way, I heard over the weekend that the average age of FB users is 35-56!! It's for adults!), you don't have to "exchange" information. You can just say, "look me up on Facebook." If you or the other person doesn't have a Facebook profile, it will encourage you to get one and "stay connected."

So get networking...however you have to do it. Volunteering or going to church are good options, but there are many ways to network. Good luck!!

Day 26...Don't Let Time Get Away From You

As our time at CMX begins to come to a close, you might be overwhelmed with the information you have been provided to assist in your job search. Don't fret. Day 35 helps to organize much of the information until you can read through all of it.

If you attended the Phoenix Workforce Connection seminar, you will be familiar with the form Cheryl referred to as the Perfect Match. You can access an interactive version of that form at the following link (http://smccaleb.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/perfect-match-form/). This will help you tailor your resume.

If you haven't begun your search, you should not wait any longer. The search will not get any easier the longer you wait. Use the time that we have to search so that when CMX closes, you will have a job waiting for you.

Keep your spirits up because people are finding jobs. I would venture to say that about 30 people (or more) have something very close to finalized or already have a job. There are jobs out there...promise. I don't suggest sending out a bunch of resumes to companies where you don't know anyone. Your time is best spent working on developing new relationships and leveraging those relationships and your existing ones to find a job. Reconnect with people you haven't spoken to in a long time. Sit in a different section of church. Go to church if you haven't gone in awhile. Talk to people in line at the grocery store. Make conversations with people at get-togethers. There are plenty of opportunities to network.

I hear people say, "I don't know a lot of people." You don't have to KNOW a lot of people, you just need to talk to people and exchange information. Just because someone lives out of state doesn't mean they are not a viable networking source. I have heard the excuse, "People I know can't help me find a job." Don't be so sure of that? You don't know who they know (at least not everyone). And you definitely don't know who their network of people know.

When I suggest leveraging "your network" to find a job, that doesn't necessarily mean your immediate network. As I sit here today, my exterminator is spraying my home. I have "known" him for a few years. I asked him for his card and told him about my company closing and asked him to keep an ear to the ground for any potential job openings. He knows and talks to a lot of people...what can it hurt? We will connect via Facebook and he becomes part of my network of people I can leverage in the future.

And remember, the leveraging goes both ways. Of the 200+ people in my network on FB, someone may need the name of an exterminator, AC repair company, financial planning, Solar installation, furniture manufacturing, car repair, civil engineer, surveyor, etc. I can help them find that person and/or service from within my network. Networking gives a whole new meaning for "what comes around, goes around."

Keep on talking and listening and good things will come...