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 ;)