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!!