FIT Happens:
TIPS For Level II Candidates
A little extra exercise, or stepping up to more regular and frequent exercise programming may boost your spirits, now, or at anytime during career transition.
Studies have revealed that exercise is a great way to boost mood or keep
negative feelings a bay. In a study, regular physical activity appeared to
reduce the risk of both depression and anxiety. Many people feel an emotional
letdown as things get back to
"business as usual" following any time away from regular job
search or regular exercise... this can be complicated with the extra eating
involved during the recent holidays.
These factors tend to play together and influence the productive attitude of many individuals engaged in career transition or actual job search. However, executing your Personal Market Plan during a soft job economy requires special attention to positioning, targeting… and YOU. Let’s start with you and your general physical fitness…
Level II: Normal. You exercise from time to time, may even have an under utilized club membership… you supplement fairly regular golf with quite irregular exercising… you try "diet of the month" programs to try to contain your weight gain (or loss)…
Find an exercise that you can do while you’re reading (or watching TV) at home. That ½ hour it takes to read the paper in the morning (or watch a favorite morning news show) is a great time to be on a stationary bike… The keys, here, are to get some regularity and productivity out of everything you do while involved in career transitions. Your existing pattern of fitness activity may be working against you as your body gets accustomed to it.
BREAK THAT PATTERN.
Instead of taking the elevator up to your office, walk up the stairway a few flights;
Early evening walking is good to "walk off" that heavy supper you just ate;
Keep a consistent eye on ramping up your level of activity and putting variety into it;
Find creative ways to exercise... get outside the box;
FUEL your Market Plan implementation
Engage your IMAGINATION, INTEGRATING your physical fitness with your career FITness.
While exercising, think outside the box regarding both positioning (differentiation in your marketplace) and implementation issues.
Read a section of your job search workbook, reviewing your notes from a recent session with your Consultant.
Consider how you are willing to commit to putting the information into productive practice during your walk. Consider your action plan for the day ahead or debrief your morning interview… You will come back from each such walk refreshed and ready to succeed in your next campaign efforts.
Give your head and your heart a break... some free time to consider longer range planning. A strategic view of career continuation will serve you well and create optimism.Research-Research-Research.
PLAN.... really plan your day and week ahead. Self-regulated accountability can increase your productivity and, ultimately, your results.
Take your exercise to the next level by rolling in some easy-to-do routines, exercises that don’t require any special equipment or time consuming preparation. Search out a fun, doable sport that you can do with a friend or colleague… biking, swimming, golf or tennis come right to mind (remember to check with your physician as to what is right for you)
Consider ways to increase your physical fitness while gaining productivity with your CAREER FITness.
Take your exercise to the next level by making whatever you do a regular event in your daily/ weekly routine. A reasonable goal would be half to a full hour of exercise every other day… with a day off to relax. A regular visit to a workout location or club is a terrific networking opportunity. Including personal contacts in to your growing routine is a great way to share the benefits of your activity with a colleague.
BUILD Your Career Management Strategy
Both physical fitness and career FITness represent a journey rather than destinations. As your life and career progresses, so does the journey. There will always be a next level. Practice excellent career continuation skills for the rest of your career...and, of course, especially during any career transition. The full integration of physical fitness and Personal Career FITness takes time… perhaps, the rest of your career, at least.
What are you waiting for?
Learning Points…
F
UEL your Market Plan implementation…I
ntegrate your physical fitness with your career FITness by using your IMAGINATION…T
ime is your partner.READY FOR >> LEVEL III ?
"Perfect practice makes perfect." Vince Lombardi's intent was clear. He wanted his players to concentrate on PRACTICE, drilling on the "little things", the basics, so that they became instinct during the heat of real life. Such is productive mindset during any career transition...
Practice your two minute drill every chance you get.... its the fundamental building material of your communication strategy--your verbal collaterals!
Practice your exit statement... most all potential employers and networking contacts will want to know your current situation and why you are available.
Practice answering both common and tough questions... including pre-offer negotiation tactics.
Now, GO PRACTICE !
"If you
practice the way you play, there shouldn't be any difference. That's why I practiced so hard. I wanted to be prepared for the game."Michael Jordan (1963- )
>> Candidate EXTRANET >> Home Fitness
>> TOP TEN: Basic Fitness Tips >> Get FIT
Bob Maher, CMF... The Careerpilot
Bob created his online presence, www.careerpilot.com, in 1994. He has over twenty years of successful experience in Corporate Recruitment, performance management and Career Management Services. He is an entrepreneur and innovator in the use of information technology in the recruitment and employment process. On the Founder's Council of the Association of Career Professionals - International and quite active in their Professional Development, Technology and Chapter Growth initiatives--a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars.