Archive for the ‘Hunting Tips’ Category

A lot of people tend to freeze up when it comes to time to actually call the prospect employer or go to the interview. Just a phone call can be nerve racking! Even if you’ve rehearsed it over and over, there is something paralyzing that comes over people when actually make the call.

A lot of times the main reason this happens with people, is because of the perspective that people are coming from of what an interview actually is. Most people see it as a one-sided coin. This is because they know that they need a job, so they feel that the ‘interviewer’ has the upper-hand and can take the interview in any direction.

Try to keep in mind that this is a 2-sided coin. The interview really means that two people are coming together to see about each other. So look at it as more of a coming together and meeting of the minds. Not only must the person like you, but you must like this person and company as well.

Remember, this is just a meeting or a get together. You are going to bring your best, and you expect no less from the other side. Place the ball back in your court by shifting your paradigm here about who has choices. You both do, and you both are here to discuss mutual benefits of you coming together to work together. Not only must you serve the interests of this company to make it work, but this company must serve the interests of your endeavors to make it work.

Everyday is another beautiful waking morning. At least for me it is, because I’m alive and I believe in achieving great things, and in my world believing is seeing. When I believe in something so strongly, magical things start happening. I start visioning with clarity and the ideas and thoughts for making things happen seem to come in line with my abilities. I then begin to take action, and this action becomes part of my desire or belief in the reality of this dream.

As I walk through the day, I notice the fear of not having job security in the eyes and minds of a lot of people. They are always quick to make a statement about the economy. Naturally, this is to be expected during these times when unemployment is up. Those who have jobs, and even though they may dislike what they are doing they have the attitude of gratitude that says, “well I guess I just better be thankful I have a job”. Well that’s true and all, and yes you should be thankful for all that God has blessed you with. Also realize that in the midst of our struggles, job or no job, that the burden is usually a preparation for whatever great thing is next, “if” you know where you are going. Like I said, that’s true we should be thankful, but it doesn’t mean we have to settle for it.

Sometimes when we put that message on that forefront in our minds, “well I guess I just better be thankful I have a job”, we don’t realize that all we’re doing is creating excuses for not moving forward. This belief that you instill in your mind, becomes your reality because you “think” about it, and you believe it. This can be a dangerous thing, especially in these times when you know companies can lay you off in a heartbeat. If you work for a company, all it takes is one person to come in their and put you out on the streets. However, if you own a hot dog stand down in Panama City, and you have about 300 passing customers giving you business everyday, it’s going to take 300 people to put you out on the street.

Now, talk to me about job security.

This is a perfect time, and a perfect opportunity for assessing what you’re made of. How has God uniquely gifted you, what talents and skills do you possess, and most importantly what do you dream about? It’s always good to think with the end in mind. How do you want to be remembered after you’re gone? What do you want people to say about you during your funeral? I know that’s not what you want think about, but you’re going to leave a message to world after your gone, and you decide what kind of message you want to leave. Once you decide that, work backwards from there. What does that mean for you 50 years from now, or 20 years from now? And from there 10 years and from there what does that mean for you in 5 years. Once you know where you want to be in 5 years, you’ll know where you want to be in 3 years, and then finally 1 year from now. Now you have a plan that’s meaningful, and the first thing you need to do is figure out how to get to where you want to be 1 year from now, by figuring out what you need to do “today”.

Start today, by planting goals in your mind and write it down. It’s true that magic happens when you write things down, and be sure to keep this with you as a reminder of what you’re going to do, and where you’re going in life. Don’t get to the end of your rope, and feel like you lived your whole life by accident. No matter what stage you are in life, it’s never too late. As long as you are still breathing God’s air, it’s never too late. Dream, build, and create.

It’s you that creates the magic. And yes, we are God’s magic!

Hmmmm. yeah that title was the first thing that came to my mind after I wrote this .

I guess sometimes we have to look for ways to personalize how we go about doing things in order to get things accomplished. In today’s world landing a job can seem like a pretty daunting task. There is just so much competition out there, and some of you may be thinking, “What do I have that can match up to all these people with years of experience and education?” Well that’s a good question.. What do you have? That’s something that needs to be explored and drawn out of you. You need to discover what will separate you from the rest of the crowd. Sure a lot of them have education, and sure a lot of them have experience. However, most of them are in what I call the “general mindset”. They suffer from conformity. They do things because that’s how everybody else is doing it. You need to do a 180 and look the other way if you want to succeed. Don’t be like the general conformer. Be different, and be immaculate! You have a unique special something about you that will separate you from most of the crowd. In a lot of ways, it may be as simple as a shift in your way of going about your job search or branding your business.

Let’s go the route of job searching. Most people in the market for employment are just going to mass distribute resumes’ hoping someone will make them an offer. Even people with higher educations do this. They believe their credentials are what is really going to set them apart. In most cases, that is not the case at all. Most of the times, hiring decisions are based on whether or not someone likes you, and you have convinced someone that you have the drive and enthusiasm, and you’re going to fit into their team. You can have all the credentials you want, but if that hiring manager doesn’t like you, then you can forget it.

You need to decide who you want to work for, and campaign into those companies multiple times. Your show of interest in their company and your interest in helping their bottom line will in itself set you apart. Don’t look for a job because you just want a job, and want to make more money. Everybody does that. Instead, look for an opportunity that allows you to shine your greatest gifts, and lets you express what you have been preparing for, and go at it with all you got. Don’t be the generalist. Don’t be the conformer. Be unique, and being unique is being yourself.

I was reading in the March edition of Entrepreneur magazine on page 58 an article by Chris Penttila entitled, “Should you hire workers from big companies?” Interesting article, she points out these red signs to look for when hiring from corporate America. And they are:

• Their cover letter isn’t personalized to your firm.

• They’re more interested in the 401(k) match and severance than having an equity stake.

• They expect to travel first class, eat at five-star restaurants and have a personal assistant.

• They don’t know modern computer basics, e.g. creating Word documents.

• They expect to be assigned rather than take initiative.

• They view meetings as a way to get things done.

• The lack the interpersonal skills necessary in a small office.

Now there’s a pretty picture. If you can go after your market with these bullet points in mind, knowing that there are a lot of people out there seeking jobs with that same mentality, it will help you separate yourself from the rest of the competition.