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...