Learn how to eliminate 13 time wasters.

When I talk with people looking for jobs, many complain that it is taking so long and that they spend more time than they would like on non-job searching activities. If this is you, I want to give you some tips to eliminate time wasters as you conduct your job search.

1. Designate an “office” for your job search. I recommend a plastic file box with a snap-n lid, but it could be something as simple as a milk crate. Also, make sure you have a specific physical space, with computer, phone and supplies, where you can work.
2. Make a file for each company you explore. This should include the resume and cover letter you sent, the job posting, contact names and referral source – anything you know about that company.
3. Check your email only at certain times each day. It’s easy to loose focus on what you need to do and to waste time with email. I recommend checking it first thing in the morning and maybe about 1:00 in the afternoon. Spend your time on functions that are more important – like researching companies where you would like to work.
4. Keep your files close at hand. Make sure you can access all necessary information about a company when a hiring manager calls. You cannot afford to rely on what you “remember” about the opportunity; rather you must recognize and respond to it with genuine interest!
5. Set your goals each week for what you will accomplish and post them where you can see them. How many resumes will you send? Which companies will you research? Which networking events will you attend? Who will you call on this week? Identify the elements of your job search and quantify them. Only then will you know if you are making progress.
6. Just say “no”! To your neighbor, friend, or spouse who thinks that as long as your not working….you can paint the living room, baby sit the neighbor’s kids, or hand out and watch TV.  Tips for saying no:

• Stop, listen, and give your full attention to the request
• Say “no” right away, politely but firmly – don’t build false hope
• State your need to focus on your job search
• Refrain from making excuses since this only annoys people

The next newsletter this month will have the seven remaining tips.

• Can you speak about your product (you) with confidence and clarity? (He was unfamiliar with the concept of personal branding).
• Do you know your product’s strengths and flaws?
• Can you describe your competitive advantage?
• Do you have a clearly defined target goal?
• Have you identified organizations that are aligned with your target goal?
• Is your resume absolutely  a-m-a-z-i-n-g in educating the reader about you?
• Do you make it easy for someone to interview you, or is it more like ping-pong with pain?
• Can you name five things you do better than the next person?
• Can you name five of your best attributes that will make a positive impact on the employer’s bottom line?
• Can you cite five good reasons why somebody should hire you over your competition?
• Have you been consistently networking, both in person and on the Internet?

My client answered “no” to each of the questions. If you are looking for work in today’s competitive market, do yourself a favor; before you hit the streets, back up, rewind, and ask some hard, tough questions of yourself. When you can answer “yes” to these basic questions, plus others, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next job. And I’d encourage you to start this process sooner than later. I suspect you will notice an immediate difference in how employers respond to you, if you choose to do so.

If you’re not sure whether you are looking for the right job, you need help defining the job you want. Often, a good place to start is with the job you have. Write out your responses to the following exercises. The results will help you keep an eye on what you really want.

1. What
Describe the job you would want to be promoted to at your current (or last) company. Be honest with yourself, and be realistic. But let yourself dream about what you really want to do next. List the title, salary, responsibilities, and level of authority. What are the three most important goals you would have to achieve in that job in order to be successful? What are the daily tasks you would be expected to perform?

2. How
How would you do this job if you had it? List the things you would need to do to achieve each of the three goals you described above. How would you perform the day-to-day tasks better than they are being performed now?

3. Why
Why should you be assigned this job? What profit would you add to your company’s bottom line if you accomplished your goals? Make your best estimate. If you need to do some thinking and research to figure this out, do it. The profitability question is at the heart of every hiring decision.

If you’re not satisfied with what you came up with, select another job and do the exercise again. Keep practicing until you feel good about the work and the job you want to do.

4. Reality Check
Review your plan with someone you respect and trust at the company, or with someone who understands your business. You may even be able to review it with your boss, explaining that these are your professional goals over the next year. Ask for suggestions to improve your plan. Listen carefully to all comments. (If you think this exercise might land you a promotion at your current company, you’re right. The same planning that will net you a new job elsewhere should work with your employer too.)

Now, use what you’ve learned here to define the job you want to find. Take some time to think about these questions – even write them down. Do not interview for jobs that fail to meet or exceed these requirements. Why waste your time settling for anything less?

Once you have identified the right job, you cannot be as powerful a candidate for any other job. In fact, you will fall on your face in such interviews. Don’t go after interviews — go after the right job.

Your resume MUST be superior to those of your competition. Companies often get dozens of resumes for every opening, and they look for any excuse to hit DELETE to screen you out of the competition. So, with your competition as strong as it is, and with the economy still sluggish, it is more important than ever that your resume shows your unique value and is technically perfect in order to survive the scrutiny of the reader. You have only 10 to 20 seconds to capture the reader’s interest – make it count!

Your resume has to get through three critical points – the HR department, the company database and the decision maker – before you are likely to get asked to interview.

How does your resume measure up?

• Is it concise, yet shows optimum value? Results and strategic impact need to be shown on one or two pages rather than three or four.
• Do you have supporting documents that highlight your value proposition, such as a one-page resume, a testimonials page, or an executive biography?
• Does your resume show your brand so your uniqueness stands out?
• Do you have a lot more accomplishments listed, than you do responsibilities? Accomplishments SHOW VALUE AND get YOU CALLS FOR interviews, responsibilities don’t.

Your resume must convey to the reader what makes YOU unique. It must showcase your credentials and expertise, so that the reader can see why you are the best candidate for the job. It must have strong content and a good visual presentation. Information must be focused on job requirements, presented in the most easy-to-read way, and must contain solid documentation of achievements and education. How does your resume stack up? Is it a “10” or could it use help?

Ask yourself this question: With the huge investment in time and money for your education, your solid career credentials, your noteworthy accomplishments and salary expectations of $30,000, $60,000, or $100,000+, do you want to be represented by an amateur resume? Our careers are very important to us. Is it worth having your resume be anything less than it can be?

When you have a resume that works:

• Your job search is much shorter
• Your resume and cover letter that is far superior to 99% of your competition
• You understand the specific value you bring to the table, so you can share that value with prospective employers, in how you can meet their specific needs
• You don’t have to struggle alone through the whole process – you will have a career expert to guide you
• You get called to interview for the types of job you really deserve, and have a choice of positions, and you won’t have to sit around waiting for the phone to ring
• You’ll receive higher compensation in your new position, so that you know you’re getting paid what you’re worth

Bottom line:  When your resume is a ”10,” your job search is much shorter, you get interviews for the type of job you really want, and you get paid the money you deserve – why ? Because your VALUE comes through effectively.

If your resume is not a “10,” it’s a waste of time to send it out!

I welcome any comments you have on this.

Where to start?

1. Take time to acknowledge what you’ve lost. Even if your job wasn’t all that terrific, it did provide a certain amount of security, income, and identity. Admit your feelings of loss and recognize the range of feelings you are bound to have over the next several weeks and months: anger, sadness, relief, fear, embarrassment, and lack of confidence. Take time to process your feelings and get whatever assistance you need to regain your emotional footing. A positive attitude is essential for a successful job search.
2. Clarify what you have to offer an employer. Identify what you are selling, and make no mistake about it, you are selling your services in exchange for something of equal value. A company isn’t going to hire and pay you for more than you are able to deliver. At the same time, you don’t want to be under paid for your contributions. Getting clear about your skills and expertise will make the next step – developing a value-packed resume and other marketing materials – easier.
3. Create impeccable marketing materials. I am amazed at what are passed off as acceptable resumes and cover letters. However, I do realize that the people sending them are not always to blame. They just haven’t been told the truth as to what compromises a great resume. Most resumes concentrate on “tasks & duties” – what they are expected to do on their job description – and fail to mention how they have made a difference, or in other words, the specific value they bring to the table. Some resumes include numerous typos, misspellings, and errors in grammar. Your marketing materials must be top quality – your professional credibility rests upon them.
4. Develop and implement an active job search plan. You may be surprised to discover that only about 6% of jobs come from the Internet, so limit the time you spend looking online. What makes the prospect of spending hours online searching for job opportunities seductive is the feeling that you are doing something; when in fact you are like a caged squirrel running on the wheel to nowhere. It feels like you are accomplishing something, but in reality, you are simply killing time, time better spent on more active job search strategies. Of course, using passive job search methods results in a lot less out-and-out rejection and virtually no actual opportunities, but it feels like you are doing something.
5. Take control of your search. If you don’t do it, know one else will. Harry Truman once said, “The buck stops here.” That saying has never been truer than when conducting your job search. Decide to be a person of action. Everyone has dark, discouraging days. Managing your search means persisting without exception. Nobody cares about your success, or job search, as much as you do. (Joining the Job Hunters Success Coaching Club will help with your job search – you will receive great support and learn all kinds of valuable information to implement immediately)
6. Look for opportunities to create value. Savvy job hunters build credibility and trust by looking for ways to create value. Make every interaction a high quality one. Stop looking for a job and start looking for ways to contribute. Ask compelling questions, and probe for problems that need solving. Keep your attention on the other person’s agenda because finding the right job is really about solving someone’s pressing business problems.
7. Plan for and expect success. Leap into your job search as though it is your new job, because right now this is the most important work you can do! Create your plan for success, work it, evaluate it regularly, and recommit to your success.

1. Strive to be the best in your profession – Demonstrate at every opportunity how you can add value to an organization. Show what distinguishes you from your competition. This applies whether you are currently looking for a job, or whether you already have one.
2. Brand yourself – How are you unique? What are your strengths? Who is your target audience? Do you have a personal brand statement? If you’re not sure about the answers to these questions, take the time to reflect on them so you know just what VALUE you offer a new employer, or your current employer.
3. Network constantly and consistently – Join Internet networking groups such as LinkedIn and FaceBook. Also, join local and national professional organizations, such as your local Chamber of Commerce, or the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), to name a few.
4. Develop a relationship with a recruiter – especially one that works in your field. Being in their database isn’t enough, you want to be the one that comes to mind when they have a position for which you’d qualify.
5. Think about freelancing – Become more entrepreneurial, whether you work for yourself or someone else. Visit sologig.com. This is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.
6. If you are out of work, join a support group – The Career Conquerors Job Club or the Job Hunters Success Coaching Club – either one is a terrific place to start. Each week people support one other and provide leads and advice to others in the group.
7. Embrace change – Keep your job skills up to date. Create a personal website, or at least a great profile (ask about the 60 Second Commercial) on websites such as LinkedIn and FaceBook. Take a class.
8. Prepare for an evolving job market – Look for trends in the job market where there is increased hiring. Growth industries include health care, education, and green living, to name a few.
9. Your resume is what gets you interviews – Make sure it shows the type of position you want, how you have the skill set for that type of position, and how you have used your skills to make a difference in the various jobs you have held. It must show VALUE, and it must look great, so an employer will pick up the phone and call you.
10. Make sure your credentials and skill set matches the employers job requirements – Pay attention to the employer’s requirements or job posting – you should match about 75 – 80% of what they want.

1) Clean out all the excess you have lying around – it’s amazing how things can pile up. Handle all of those things you’ve been meaning to get to one day.

2) Update your contact list and your Internet profiles. Check addresses (mail and email) from family, friends and business associates to make sure they are current. Make sure each of your profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc present the image you want to present. (see the rest on my blog)

3) Get a “Month-At-A-Glance” Calendar. Electronic gadgets are great to use on a daily basis, but there are times we need to plan the whole month. That way you won’t overload your schedule and can see all your appointments and events at one time – it makes it easier to spread things out and see the big picture.

4) Find a quiet time for yourself. Take care of yourself, and that includes finding some alone time each day/week to reflect on what it is you really want in life.

5) Create & Organize a Workspace. Have a special spot/room to work in while conducting your job search, and organize it to best meet your specific needs.

6) Set up a system to stay organized in 2010. Find a way to eliminate the piles that accumulate; just make sure it works for you – streamline and update.

7) Wrap up your year-end financials. Take care of deductions before Dec. 31st. Pay your taxes and IRA contributions. Use your bonus to pay down high interest items.

Take action on the things you have been meaning to do. Maybe you have been meaning to get a passport, review your insurance papers, or open an IRA. Set aside some specific time to accomplish whatever it is you’ve been putting off.

9) Set your SMART goals/intentions for 2010. Think of the outcomes you want to achieve within the next three to six months. Identify the steps needed to get you there. Make sure your goals/intentions are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed.

10) Create your written Plan of Action to achieve your goals/intentions. Put a plan of action into place, schedule time in your day/week to do it and then carry out the necessary steps to accomplish it. Set milestones on your calendar and measure your progress along the way.

Celebrate your successes. A lot has happened over the past 12 months. But, as you go day-by-day, it’s hard to remember what you have accomplished along the way. Everything seems to turn into a blur and we often forget the wonderful things we have done throughout the year. Think about the actions you have taken each month and how they have led to bigger successes.

Before this year ends, jot down all of the wins you’ve accomplished this year. Focus on each month, beginning with January. Write them down, whether they are big or small, and whether they are from your personal or professional life. Then own it. Revel in your success, and use it as a foundation to build on.

Face your losses. What didn’t go the way you had planned over the past year? What setbacks did you have? When we face our losses, we allow them to be put behind us so we can move forward. Often it’s the pain in our lives that allows us to take big leaps forward. If we weren’t uncomfortable, many of us would not put out much effort to make things better – we get trapped in our comfort zones. There is no need to brush mistakes under the rug. Let your setbacks form the goals you want to set for the New Year. Learn from them. That’s how you grow.

Set your top goal for the New Year. If you could accomplish something meaningful in the New Year, what would it be? Concentrate on just one goal. Think about what would bring you alive each morning, what would get you engaged and excited about life. Maybe it’s taking your family to Disney World, getting that promotion you know is a great fit for you, or being able to work just four days a week. Brainstorm a list of ideas, then pick the top goal that feels like the best for you.

Your goal should have the right mix of tension and flexibility. Put enough stretch in your goal to make it enticing, yet with a touch of slack to make it doable. Next, get specific. Be sure you know what you’ll do by when. Write your goal down and post it in a visible area where you look at it every day. Now, you have something to look forward to.

By celebrating your successes, facing your losses and setting your top goal for the New Year, you are giving yourself a great gift – one of completion and inspiration.

While estimates vary as to how big the hidden job market really is, most people tracking these things agree that it makes up about 75% of total employment opportunities. Yet, many job seekers have their heads stuck in the job board postings that make up about 3% to 5% of job opportunities, and really yield few results. So you see, you have a much higher chance of landing the right job when you seek out the hidden job market – there are many more jobs and there is much less competition.

How do you find the hidden job market?
• Focus on several target companies you would like to work for, rather than on specific job openings
• Research these companies, thoroughly, finding out what their challenges might be and learning about the people who can help you get in the door – look on the Internet, in general publications and trade journals
• Look for articles written by people who work at your target companies and begin building relationships with them by email, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook – ask them to recommend others who might talk with you
• Talk with vendors, customers and employees of your target company – they can often tell you about upcoming jobs and opportunities (these are the hidden sources in the hidden job market)
• Finally, call the target manager at each of your chosen companies – briefly explain who you are, what you know about their business, and how you might help with some of the challenges they are facing. Ask for a 12-minute meeting so you can demonstrate you ability to contribute to the bottom line – stick to 12-minutes. Be prepared to offer ideas and solutions the manager needs.

Using this approach can lead a manager to create a new job for you, once you’ve shown how talented and self-motivated you are.

Additional resources for you to use when accessing the hidden job market include:
• Networking: Reach out to family, friends, professional contacts (peers and colleagues), academic contacts, community contacts, etc. and let them know you are looking for a new opportunity. Be clear and concise about the type of position you are seeking and be prepared to send your updated resume
• Print Ads in Industry Publications: Remember to look at the career postings in the newsletters and journals you receive through memberships to professional associations
• Meta-search Job Boards: Try sites like Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com to search multiple job boards at once, based upon key words and location
• Specialty Job Boards: The idea is to identify job boards that represent your location, occupation, industry, etc. Job boards with a niche focus will likely provide a greater percentage of qualified leads. Some of these may require a monthly subscription. So what? Consider it an investment! Sign up for a few months, take a look around and cancel if you are not getting the leads you expected
• Professional Associations: Join groups that represent your industry and/or occupation. Then make the effort to attend lunch meetings, workshops and roundtable discussions. These groups offer you an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and meet new peers, thereby expanding your network
• Alumni Associations: Remember these? Instead of throwing away the newsletters and magazines from your alma mater, check out what the alumni career services department has to offer in terms of free or low cost job search, company research and networking resources.

If you spend your time on the above activities instead of spending all your time searching job boards and hoping they will work, I know you will experience much better results, as far as getting calls for interviews.

How do you inspire a company to create a new job just for you?  Forget about your credentials, your history and past jobs. They are irrelevant to a new company. If you focus on your past when searching for a new job, you’ll get yourself into the same dead-end job you just left.

Here’s what you do. Decide where you want to work. Study your target company. Explore the problems and challenges it is facing, and figure out how you can help the company tackle them profitably. Apply your skills and abilities in new ways to redefine your qualifications. Think in terms of what the company doesn’t have, but needs – that’s you new job. That’s the business plan you need to present.

The job you want to create is essentially a new business. But, don’t expect your target company to figure out whether this “new business” is justified. You must be ready to explain it to them. Show how you’ll deliver profit in new ways. That’s what will make the company create a new job just for you.

You don’t get into a company by asking the HR department to let you in. To get into the inner sanctum where hiring decision are really made, you need someone with a key. You need a personal introduction.

Employees of the company are an obvious solution, but not the only one, and not the best one. You can develop great contacts in a company by talking to the company’s vendors and its customers, its bankers and real estate agents, its landlords and its competitors. These are “players” who can make the kinds of introductions you need. Research them. Call them. Cultivate them.

You will find these people by studying the appropriate periodicals and professional journals; by talking to industry associations; by attending industry events; by making some smart guesses; and by getting on the phone. That’s how headhunters get leads on good job candidates. It’s how you can get past the guard.