July
4th, 2010
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Articles appearing on
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Embracing The OTHER Job Market
Job Hunting DURING CHAOTIC ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Robert J. Maher, CMF,
The Careerpilot, has been in the
career services field since 1980, and mostly as an independent since
1983. Bob has provided services or spoken to audiences in most major
metropolitan areas of the US, and several in Canada and the UK. He
has served a very broad-based and diverse clientele over the years
with a solid reputation for effective group facilitation, one-on-one
coaching, marketing support and consultation at all levels,
including executive. 
Get In The Spirit of the CAREERPILOT Metaphor...
G=Pilot Needed
H=Pilot On Board
Could be used to show me your recognition that you need assistance in navigating "the challenging waters" of your career.
MORE>> Using Signal Flags with the careerpilot
Establishing Your Career FITness
It is easy to become more 'relaxed' with job
search goals and Personal Market Plan implementation activities in
summer. After all, there's the warmer weather, vacations to
plan, friends to entertain... and the kids are home from school. While involved in career transition,
however, these same few
months are very productive times. Don't waste them by falling into the
doldrums...
Many people feel an emotional letdown during the summer months. Further, there is usually a family component
to the summertime
that goes away and things get back to "business as usual." These factors
tend to play together and influence the productive attitude of many individuals
engaged in career transition or actual job search. However, 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.
A little extra exercise may boost your spirits.
The
Careerpilot
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 1: LITE refers to both your exercise habits and a favored beer… Haven’t exercised regularly for years… have some health issues… walking to and from the car is the most exercise a normal day includes…
Taking fewer sips of your favorite soda, or adult beverage, may help you feel better and stay slimmer.
Researchers estimate that over the past 40 years, daily caloric intake has increased by 75 calories per day, an amount that could cause weight gain over time. Replace one of your favorite sweet drinks with a bottle of water each day for a quick and slimming calorie cut.
WALK YOUR DOG A MILE A DAY… whether you have a dog or not!
After checking with your physician to determine your physical limitations, simply starting a regular routine of early morning (good to get your energy up for the day) or early evening (good to "walk off" that heavy supper you just ate) walking will get you started in the right direction.And, while you're walking your way to better physical fitness, think and talk your way to improved CAREER FITness. Consider your skill sets, basic competencies, knowledge areas, experience and personality traits... where will they fit best in your next employment opportunity?
Bringing it all together...
There are many components to an individual's Career FITness, as there are the same person's physical fitness. FIT Happens is programming where the two can come together for the rest of your career, creating life balance like you may never have experienced.
Click
For
more on CAREER FITness
If your current campaign efforts have become stale or non-productive, often the solution is to consider repositioning yourself or select a different target marketplace within which to market yourself. You can always restart a campaign in this manner... at any time. Get a fresh start by preparing for your next steps as if executing a new "business model", manage it accordingly, be flexible, and be ready for the unexpected.
This is often very true of long term campaigns that have been allowed to fizzle out during the distractions of the summer months. In fact, many job seekers find that more people answer their own phones, are more open to networking visits, and, in general, are more upbeat during such vacation-prone times. WORK THAT to your advantage, ramping up NOW for the Fall of interviewing ahead. Here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction:
1. Have a "business-as-usual" attitude... Manage your search as if every "next contact" was a new starting point. You will earn success faster. Remember, rejection is part of the process.
2. Have reasonable expectations... Always have a next contact to make. When repositioning yourself or selecting new target firms, you have given yourself a valid reason to re-engage your personal contact network.
3. Set your career objectives with clarity… This will help focus your actual search. Have a Personal Market Plan, including identification of key Professional Resources Online. Look for specific titles, target industries and companies. This focus will expand your possibilities, not limit them.
4. "WORDCRAFT" your resume... "Tweak" your resume, if necessary, to make sure you have a forward looking "story" of what YOU CAN DO. Focus on achievements that support your qualifications for your job goal.
5. Develop confidence in your ability to answer questions throughout the process…. Prepare as you would for a business presentation; NEVER try to wing it. Prepare for basic questions and tough issues in advance and study them.
6. Modify and improve your Personal Market Plan’s implementation model as needed... As you move through your search, make adjustments as you would a business model. Ask for input from people you respect.
As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions and additional questions.
-The Pilot
>> 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.
Awarded the prestigious "LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD" in 2006.
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