Career Consultations

The other day the neighbor child, age 10, announced that he will attend Harvard for a PhD, either in computer science or law.  When I queried him a little more, he told me he would have a full scholarship, too!  I think he will accomplish that goal. Why?  As this child told me, “…because my parents both have PhDs!”  His parents enforce study time and summer school.  It shows!

What influence did your mom and dad have on your career?  Were you encouraged as a child or told you were a loser?  What tapes do you play in your head from you childhood?  Maybe, with Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time for introspection about your family’s influence.  Maybe we need to rid the cobwebs in our brains from some negative influence or pay attention to the good advice our moms provided.  Maybe mom was right when she suggested you be a teacher!   She saw you helping others and instructing your younger siblings.  And you still love to tell people how to do things!

Were you encouraged to find a “calling” or get a job?  In a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, Bill Barnett discusses How to Make Your Job more Meaningful, but he failed to mention how critical our childhood is in our careers.  What is the message you received when you wanted to go in the military?  What did you mom say when you told her you wanted to be an artist or study graphic arts?

Maybe your work atmosphere is stifling or critical and you should bail.  You were allowed maximum creativity growing up.  You may want a career change, but simply moving to another corporate culture where innovation is appreciated may solve your dissatisfaction.  Career change is far more difficult than changing jobs.

Did someone plant a seed that never grew or overpowered your aspirations?  Sometimes we must do menial, unpleasant tasks, yet staying in a hostile work environment will affect your entire family.  Loyalty is a virtue you may have learned, but moving to another job may be what is needed.  Your role model may have been loyal to a fault.   Your current allegiance may not be healthy for you!

When you think about the affect your mom may still hold on your career, common sense requires that you analyze the affect.  Take time to reflect.  Is your mom proud of you or is it pretense?  Are you proud of your accomplishments or sick of what you are doing?  Were you raised to think being a workaholic is simply part of life?  Or was there balance?

Pause, not just to say thanks to mom, for all her diligence and hard work, but consider the clear and present consequences of your situation.  Is it time to let go of some of what she said or take heed?  And if she’s still living, maybe you need to take her some flowers, too!

I am very worried.  The economy appears to be improving but the job market certainly demands very specific skills.  I am worried when I hear people say, “I want a job with stability.”  I’m worried when I hear someone say, “I’m a Marketing Communications Manager with video industry background.”  The TV industry is in turmoil.  Just ask people from Kodak.  I’m worried when I hear someone say, “No, I won’t work contract.”

Please, seriously develop Plan B and start implementing it.  What will you do if suddenly your job (Plan A) disappears forever? You need to plan.  Here are some guidelines.

Suggestion 1: Assessment & Research (most important)

When you dream about other work, what comes to mind?  Sit down with a piece of paper and list the tasks or projects which brought you a real sense of satisfaction.  Was it teaching or selling?  Were you recognized for your photography at a recent wedding?  Do you love working on cars?  Are you outgoing or introverted?  Assessing your skills, education, personality and experience to integrate who you are and will become.  Career change is easiest when your current talent and interests form the basis of the new endeavor.

I have a friend who went to seminary at age 53.  Her dad and husband were both ministers.  Her career at that point looked like a patchwork quilt, as she always wanted to be a minister and refused to implement her plan.  She and her husband lived with extreme financial difficulties while she attended school but as she reminded me, “In three years, I’ll still be 56 whether I go to school or not.”  Her new life is full and challenging; she loves it.   Stories such as this one abound.  But you must be willing to sacrifice to achieve a career change.

Online career assessment is readily available.  I like www.livecareer.com as their free assessment provides food for thought and is based on excellent career theory.  Another good resource for assessment is The Everything Career Tests Book by Llewelyn and Holt.  Plus, most colleges offer career testing.

Research the competition.  Google and other online resources, along with your public library are your new best friends.  Maybe you are a “foodie.”  Talk to people in the grocery or restaurant business.  Just because you like to eat healthy doesn’t mean you have the stomach for the hours they work.  On the other hand, you may find a niche where you could fit.

I know a career writer who takes his clients white water rafting.  Guess what his hobby is?

Suggestion 2

More and more companies are hiring through temporary or contractor agencies.  This method merits serious consideration with advantages for both you and the company.  You discover the culture, the management, and the realities if you work contract or temporary.  The employer ascertains your work ethic and your abilities.  You may not have robust  or any health benefits but contract work will put food on your table with the possibility of a full time job in the future.

Suggestion 3

Think creatively. Maybe a volunteer activity will evolve into a leadership role and paid position.  I can name at least three people whose volunteer work led to regular employment.

Suggestions 4

If your skills are very specialized, not in great demand, it may take less time to upgrade your skills than to keep looking for any companies which use similar skills.  The community colleges have wonderful short and longer term classes to assist you.  They have relationships with companies who need the skills which you could learn.  Often their placement offices post openings and have an occasional job fair.

Suggestion 5

Perhaps you harbor an idea to manufacture a “widget” in your garage or create a unique, needed software package.  Maybe you are the next Bill Gates.  Many you have an “app” idea for the I-Pad.

Suggestion 6

You can start a business from scratch, buy an established business, or purchase a franchise.  All have their risks and rewards.  Do your research to make an informed decision and establish a timeline.

Suggestion 7

The latest renaissance may be here.  Multiple streams of income may work for some.  A little E-Bay business coupled with a part time job at Starbucks or Lowe’s while you update skills may lead to new people in your life with leads for the next step in your plan.

Success!

Not all career changes require huge steps.  As I said in the book I wrote for you (MORE than a Paycheck: Inspiration and Tools for Career Change), more and more people must look at self-employment and moving their skills. Unemployment offers freedom to grasp opportunity.  Changing careers is not necessarily easy.  You must be willing to make a plan and attack it.  A few calculated risks and failures make us stronger!

I just wish someone would pay me for worrying.  Surely, I’d be a billionaire!

Ruth Glover is a technical recruiter and author.  She re-cycled this article from one she wrote  several years ago to reflect current trends.  You can reach her through www.hotcareers.com or www.morethanapaycheck.net.  Feel free to subscribe to be notified whenever a new post appears.

For many years I’ve said that job search is like getting married, but I’ve never written about it.  Let’s say Joe found a girlfriend and his wife threw him out.  Compare that to Joe’s company discovering his inaccurate expense reports, coupled with fraternizing with the new programmer down the hall.  He cleaned out his desk and crawled into a cave.  Not the same?  Or is it?  Joe will ride a roller coaster, regardless of which happens.  The emotional impact and stages to the next step on his life ladder are similar.

Stage 1-Networking/Finding Leads

Today every dog in town is preaching “networking, networking, networking.”  But many misunderstand what is meant by networking, which is NOT just attending a meeting and collecting business cards.  If you look for a spouse via business cards or online, you may be single a long time.  The job seeker who thinks networking means showing up for the meeting and leaving immediately when it ends, will search much longer than others.  You must get to know people for the end results you want!  Leads often come from unexpected sources.  Neither beg for dates nor a job.  You earn respect and become acquainted before achieving success.

Stage 2-Dating/Research

When we are searching for the right partner, whether in business or marriage, we determine common interests and try out the friendship or possible temporary “opportunity.”  We see how the individual acts on a date.  Does the individual arrive on time?  Is he or she polite and caring?  Does the person work diligently to please?

In job search the process is not much different.  The employer checks people who might know you, in addition to references.  The hiring manager may invite you to interview multiple times, trying to decide if you have the right skills and experience for his or her business family.  You must discover whether you want to spend as much or more time with this corporate culture than your own family.  Will you fit the conservative or fun atmosphere?  Do you like the people you meet?  What about the guy who made rude remarks to you and grilled you until you wanted to cry.  Yes, you may need a job.  But pay attention.  This is a life decision!

Stage 3-Engagement/Interview

Engagements can be very short term.  The woman who meets a gorgeous man in the bar and marries him the following week rarely stays with the situation very long.  The hour long interview may be too short but, in our society, the process can be exceedingly brief.  Discernment is incredibly important when the engagement or interview is brief.

On the other hand, the company who interviews you, requiring five interviews and four months to make a decision may not be the fast paced atmosphere you want for thriving and surviving.  You don’t want to accept too many short term jobs, unless per chance, you are a professional contractor who never wants a full time, ongoing job.

Stage 4-Marriage/The Job

So you give each other rings and take a honeymoon.  You love him and he loves you.  It’s a marriage made in heaven.  Then the little bumpkins come along with essential adjustments, BIG adjustments, like sleepless nights, piano lessons and dental appointments.

Likewise in your new job, you soon realize who really wields the power and how you accomplish goals with simplicity, rather than angst.  You learn to cope.  As they say, “The honeymoon is over.”  No more romance but some drudgery and wonderful challenges in the new endeavor.

Stage 5-Divorce/Job Loss

Finding the actual divorce rate in the US is difficult, but articles claim that fewer people are getting married and fewer are getting divorced.   (Sounds like more contract jobs in the offing!) Trends over the years concur with what is currently happening, additionally predicting that although fewer are marrying, their marriages will last longer.

You may find yourself facing divorce from your mate when happiness in the relationship is completely gone.  You may find yourself on the job market when there is a reorganization.  The pain is often inevitable but it can be a healthy change.  Divorce and layoffs are rarely easy.

People seem to be afraid to commit to one another.  They look for perfection and find faults when they date and marry.  This happens all the time in job search.  The hiring manager needs to fire the last “yoyo” his boss encouraged him to bring on board.  He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again as training the new person incurs time and money.  So he puts off the decision to  fire the boss’ friend.   Progress is non-existent.  When the hiring manager refuses to take action, it affects the bottom line.  Finally, he must face the reality that this relationship must end and terminates the individual, the same as Joe had to find another place to live.  Waiting for the shoe to drop in marriage and an unstable job is painful for all concerned.  Knowing you are not appreciated at work can affect your relationships at home.

Whining and stewing about your marriage or job situation isn’t healthy.  Either improve the situation or move on.

Stage 6-Conclusion

Yes, finding a new job is like getting married.  There is no perfect mate and there is no perfect job.  You must separate the emotions and facts to determine whether you have a match made in heaven or one which can be hell.

Below are some URLs you might want to read about this same topic.

http://familylaw.typepad.com/stats/divorce_rates_us/

http://www.examiner.com/networking-in-national/plan-your-job-search-like-a-wedding

http://www.professionalpenwriters.com/2011/03/16/job-marriage/

http://www.city-data.com/forum/relationships/923147-why-dating-like-job-hunting.html

Ruth Glover is a technical recruiter who volunteers regularly to assist people in job transition.  She wrote the book MORE than a Paycheck: Inspiration and Tools for Career Change to provide role models for people who want to move their careers forward.  You may want to register to be notified when she posts.

Can your email address provide the wrong attention?  Do you realize your email address is part of your personal brand?  Your email needs to be on the right track to achieve the success you want.  A good email address can give you more power in managing your career.

Did you know recruiters and other professionals often do background checks and your email might tell when you were born?  I saw an email last week which had name56@hotmail.com for the sender.  When I checked, she was born in 1956 and is 56.  That’s not something you want to advertise on a resume!

Two addresses that can make you appear older than you want are AOL and MSN.  So you haven’t changed your email address since the 1990’s?  Are you cool or old fashioned?  Even if you have a common name, you can determine an address people can remember.  If you live in Texas you might be TXJohnName@gmail.com or maybe reverse your name and add a couple of numbers, like lastname.firstname 22@yahoo.com, but  NOT your birth year.

A complex email address is hard to recall.  I have a few contacts that I must research every time, as I cannot recall an address like fmz245tfwmm@yahoo.com.  Similarly, if your name is a difficult, why not make it easy on people, rather than use a difficult spelling. A friend of mine uses contact2firstname@gmail.com, rather than his first and last name.

Having your own URL works well.  Tim@name.com is easy to recall.  You want to be memorable, not bizarre, in job search.  Having a website with your name can be very useful, especially if you are a writer, trainer, contractor or technical guru.  Freelance work is very common these days.  Having your own website is an additional asset, especially to find contract work and show your talent in a different way.

You might enjoy reading What Does Your Email Say about You, as it mentions several mistakes I doubt you would make, but others are guilty.  Recently an error I thought particularly humorous was dr_name@yahoo.com when he did not have a PhD or medical degree.  But email addresses are not meant to amuse others in job search or at work.

In the past you may not have thought much about what your email conjures in another person’s mind.  You may not think your email address is terribly important but each factor creates a product which is YOU.  Take the time to assure that your email is professional and on the right track to success.

Ruth Glover owns CAREER CONSULTATIONS, a technical recruiting agency in the Dallas area, which places semiconductor and telecom engineers nationwide.  You can reach her at rglover@hotcareers.com or careers@hotcareers.com.  She may also be reached through www.ruthglover.com and www.morethanapaycheck.net.

By the way, please don’t try the email addresses in this article.  They might be real, although the author created them for your understanding!

In Part 1 you saw suggestions for women’s job interview attire.  Men have fewer alternatives.  Either they wear a suit or they don’t. But, we need to attempt to define business casual.

What is “business casual?” 

“Business casual” means different things to different people.  It may mean a sport coat and slacks.  It might mean a sport coat with dress jeans, although I’m biased about ever wearing jeans to an interview.

The men I asked who were in job transition tended to want to wear business suits but they were all over 40 years old.  I bet I’d get a different answer from younger candidates.  One guy stated, “I would always wear a suit.”  Not so fast!  He’d better check with the recruiter beforehand.  Another one firmly said, “You haven’t earned the right to be casual in an interview situation”

Below are some suggestions for our male readers:

New Grads

• If this is your first suit, you will need to cut the label off the sleeve.  (No kidding, I’ve seen the label still attached more than a few times.)
• Wear dark colored knee socks.  Interviewers are not fond of seeing hairy legs during the interview.
• Buy a pair of nice interview shoes long before you graduate, so you don’t hobble during the interview.  New shoes can HURT.  Wear them awhile to assure comfort.
• Make sure your shirt is clean and ironed. If you can’t convince anyone to wash and iron it, do it yourself or take it to the cleaners. You may not own an iron but the dry cleaner is available for a purpose.
• Khaki or dark pants and a golf shirt with regular shoes will work for business casual, but no tennis shoes.  If it’s winter, a long sleeved shirt is advisable.
• If you are a Barrister, cover your tattoos.  If you are interviewing for a Barista job at Starbucks, tattoos may provide extra points!

Experienced

• Be sure your suit fits you and is up to date.  You should not wear the black suit you wore to your grand-father’s funeral in 1998.
• Your tie should blend with the color of your suit.  Muted red, yellow and light blue are very common colors which look professional with a white or light blue shirt.  The Mickey Mouse tie, even if you are very proud of it, should be left in the closet.
• If you are color blind, get help!  Most fine department stores, such as Macy’s or Nordstrom’s, have career clerks who can assist you with your selections.
• Make sure your shirt isn’t frayed, especially around the collar.  What does it say about you, if you don’t take care of your appearance?  Does it reflect your attitude?  Probably not, but in an interview, you want every chance to be hired.  A threadbare or stained shirt can definitely mark your efforts with a big red “reject.”  I know you think they should hire you for your skills, not your clothes, but appearance is important, whether you like it or not.
• Are your shoes pathetically worn?  Are they polished?  If you will meet with customers, appearance is even more critical.
• Don’t be afraid to use hair color.  If you are over 40 and starting to turn gray, you may compete better with other generations by looking mature, but not old. Bias is rampant in our society.  But don’t obsess about hair.  A touch of gray on a man may be an asset with some interviewers.  That 20 year old you saw in the waiting room may be wishing for a few gray hairs!

Smell

I neglected to mention smell in Part 1.  Try not to eat anything before an interview that will interfere with the interviewer’s focus.  I shouldn’t have to mention cleanliness or odor to professionals, but I’ve had too many people in my office with offensive odors to omit this topic.  Both men and women should refrain from using colognes that may knock the interviewer off his or her chair.  Some interviewers may be allergic to certain odors.

Summary

Dressing for an interview may not be the most important factor in whether you get the job, but your appearance is a factor.  Currently the bottom line for both men and women is a wavy line or crooked road.  We are becoming less strict on attire.  And that makes it a little more challenging to decide what to wear.  Make it easy on yourself. Just ask.  Although some men seem to be averse to asking for directions while driving, before you get in the car, you will be more likely to meet your new boss!

Ruth Glover recruits for both large and small companies, mostly in the semiconductor and telecom industries.  She is the author of MORE than a Paycheck: Inspiration and Tools for Career Change.  Be sure to register to receive notice of her posts, both for new jobs and articles.

Last week I read an article titled Suits are Passe.  Although I have two relatively new business suits, I feel a little over dressed in them.  When I make a sales call, I want to look stylish.  When I make a presentation, I want to look sharp, up to date.  The article I read addresses women’s attire only, so I decided to explore deeper since I coach many people in job transition through my recruiting, outplacement and volunteer activity.  I contacted many of my colleagues, both men and women in the Dallas area and in other states, since I recruit nationwide.

Additionally, I talked with job seekers to hear their views.  The difference between my colleagues and the job seekers demonstrates the need for discussion.  I gathered enough information to publish a two part series.  Part one is for our female readers.

Mitch Byers, HR Director at Jefferson Dental Clinics summarizes the research, when he says, “Like so many other things in life, it depends….It depends on the company and the position. Someone interviewing for a position as press foreman at a local print shop might dress business casual or wear a golf shirt, where a bank manager position around the corner would warrant a suit.”  But there are guidelines to gain, as a result of my un-scientific research.

Suit or No Suit

Whether you are the interviewer or interviewed, you need to update your look.  Ann Luna, sales recruiter, who places sales professionals in the Dallas area recognizes what can happen.  “Don’t pull out your 2001 business interview suit and attempt to squeeze yourself into it because that was what you wore the last time you interviewed.”  What looked great a few years ago is no longer the norm.  Although a suit is not really wrong, some companies want to see how you’d fit within their casual atmosphere through how you dress.

If you are in the financial, banking or legal industries, suits will work and are ordinarily required.  Gaudy jewelry, low cut blouses or tops are not a good way to begin.  You need to be hired for your skills, not how you look.  Pants suits or a layered look, with dark slacks and a colorful jacket over a plain blouse can be quite stylish.  A pretty scarf or elegant piece of jewelry on a boring suit may help you feel more confident.

Dye or not  Dye

Dying your hair can be an asset or liability.  Beautiful white or gray hair may actually be an asset, yet if you are competing with 20 year olds, you may want to cover the “snow.” Your hair needs to look natural.   A touch of gray may be better than solid black dye which could look severe.  Many women have highlights in their hair, which may provide a more fashionable appearance and competitive edge. You don’t want the interviewer to be staring at your coal black hair rather than asking about your accomplishments!  Women need to be sure their roots are not showing.  Unless you are interviewing for a beautician’s job or a retail establishment where tattoos and purple hair are the norm, you need a complimentary hairdo.  Many women with long hair may prefer to wear it swooped upward.  Just be sure it’s not falling in your eyes, as the interviewer might be greatly distracted, wanting to swat it to see you better.  Maroon or brassy red hair is better left until the new colleagues are sure of your competence.  You can be more flamboyant, based on the area of the country, the interviewer’s preference and the specific industry.

If you have been out of high school or college for more than five to ten years, are you still wearing your hair the same way?  A good hair stylist can help, even if you have challenging hair that is too curly or too straight.

Heels or No Heels

Unless you are going to an advertising agency where everyone dresses like fashion models, the extreme heels with platforms are not advised.  Really!  Your wobbly walk might be the focus, rather than your skills.  Low heels or stylish flats are appropriate.  No tennis shoes, of course!  Nice sandals are fine in the summer.  More people are wearing fashion boots in the winter.

Culture or no culture

An interview is two-way communication.  Will you fit the corporate culture?  Be sure to ask the person who contacts you for the interview what you should wear.  The companies who are business casual all the time may want you to see how you fit their relaxed atmosphere.  And you need to determine if sharing a cube with someone in this company could be disasterous.

You simply need to look sharp.  Although some hiring managers and recruiters are a bit disappointed that suits are no longer as common, they are looking for your skills and personality fit more than how you are dressed.  You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing.  As Ann Luna said in her comments, “You can be up to date without being too trendy.”

Your appearance is just one rung on your ladder to success.  You need to suit the company but what you wear is only one factor in achieving the goal.

I want to thank my colleagues who took the time to respond.  Space is limited for comments, but all their ideas are incorporated in this article.  Part 2 will be shorter.  Men’s attire is far less complex, but equally as important.  Feel free to add your comments.

Ruth Glover is the author of MORE than a Paycheck: Inspiration and Tools for Career Change. If you’re thinking about a career change, you’ll want to read the 20 stories about real people who have moved their careers in various directions.  You may contact her though www.morethanapaycheck.net.

If you want to find work soon, pay careful attention to your words.    Your behavior can swiftly sway the interview the wrong way.

1) I don’t want to move.

What you should say:

Although I would prefer to stay in (Dallas), I’d like to hear more about the job.

2) I don’t want to drive that far.

What you should say:

I’d really like to work for your company, but the distance might be a problem.  Let’s see what develops.

If the job is fantastic, you might be able to work from home when they see your work ethics and productivity.  Do not ask to work remote until you know whether the opportunity excites you, as you might be able negotiate flex time during less traffic or work remote several days a week.  Why mention this at all until you discern whether this is your dream job?

3) I can’t start for another six months.

What you should say:

I’m on a project which I truly enjoy, but it won’t end for six months.  Please tell me more about your opening as it would be difficult to leave in the middle of this commitment.

Sometimes loyalty interferes with good judgment.  Is your company stable?  Companies base their layoffs on business situations, not personalities.  If the opportunity tantalizes you, take the time to explore it.  You’ll learn about the company and its culture in the process.  Companies ordinarily won’t wait more than six weeks for any candidate, unless they are looking for a new grad in the next semester.

4)  I’m not sure I have the background for this job.

What you should say:

Let’s talk more about the job requirements and duties before we move forward.

Don’t squelch the opportunity before you hear the details.  Time is money.  Take adequate time to explore the requirements.  Perhaps another job opening in the company would fit you better.  Or maybe they see your potential better than you do!

5)  I never share my last/current salary on the first contact.

Many, many recruiters will move quickly to the next candidate, if you won’t share your salary.   Not sharing your salary is irresponsible.  Outplacement consultants teach you to provide a salary range but recruiters need the specifics.  I could write an entire article about this topic.

6)  I can’t talk right now; my child needs to go to soccer practice.

What you should say:

I need to contact you at a better time.  May I call you in about an hour or tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.?

Be specific.  Better yet, take the call and be late to soccer.  Do you want a new job or not?  Perhaps the screaming child could wait in the next room with the door closed briefly.  Reaching a recruiter is often very challenging.

7) I can only work 20 hours per week.

What you should say:

Let’s talk about the job duties and responsibilities.  My experience would be an excellent match.  I was really looking for part time but maybe this is an opportunity which could work for us.

8)  I don’t have my references ready.

What you should say:

I haven’t reached one of my critical references yet, as he’s out of town.  I’ll send you the two confirmed references.

Complete your reference list at the very beginning of your search.  Notify your references each time they will be called.  Be sure your references know what the job is so they can concentrate on relevant information about you.

9) I can only work from home.

What you should say:

I’d like to hear more about the job.  Since we live in an electronic age, I’m hoping to find work, where I can affect the bottom line, while working from my home office after we become better acquainted.

Not many companies hire virtual employees before on site training.  Be flexible.

10)  I can’t talk right now; I’m watching the Cowboys play.

What you should say:

I’m very sorry I can’t talk at the moment.  I’d like to return your call at 4:00 p.m.

Maybe you need to see if the Cowboys have any job openings.  They seem to need a bit of new talent.  You are not a serious job seeker unless it’s the World Series in the last of the 9^th inning, in which case the recruiter should not have called.

Other show stoppers:

• Talking too much, rambling, giving too much detail.
• Talking too much about dress code, time off, stock option, sports, etc.
• Not being specific enough or not providing enough detail.
• Hygiene and attire: you’d think everyone would look good and smell clean.
• Answering your cell phone during an interview; turn it OFF!  Or leave it in the car.
• Trying to negotiate higher salary too soon, if at all; the economy is not robust yet.
• Responding without enough research.
• Criticizing former managers and co-workers.
• Overly friendly; too much personal information.
• Late to the interview.

Summary

Be prepared.  Do your research about the company and its people.  Show enthusiasm.  Be sure to know what the next step is in the process.  Ask good questions (but not too many).  It’s a little like playing ball or getting married.  You just never know what curve ball may be thrown at you but adequate preparation and awareness of each of these items will help you score a touchdown or find a new business family.

Ruth Glover owns Career Consultations, an engineering recruiting agency in the Dallas area.  She is the author of MORE than a Paycheck: Inspiration and Tools for Career Change. She can be reached at careers@hotcareers.com.

Anxiety is part of job search.  The monotony of trying to manage the sheer idiocy of applying online through difficult applicant tracking systems, the lack of response when you had a good interview, not being able to reach the recruiter…all are significant reasons for stress in your life while you look for a new job.

Problem: Loss of Control

“I can’t do this any more.  I’ve been out of work so long.  My MBA and EE degrees don’t help.  I attend many networking events and send out resumes.  What is wrong with me?  I am so de-moralized.”

Problem: Shame/Embarrassment

I don’t want to go to the upcoming family Thanksgiving dinner.  My brother-in-law is a lawyer who never looked for a job and he doesn’t understand.  We can’t afford the travel and expense for food contribution they expect.  I would rather stay home, but the family really wants to go.

I attend a faith based unemployment group where others seem to be getting jobs and return home completely deflated.

Emotions run rampant during your job search.  You cannot eradicate the emotions entirely, but pessimism can ruin your efforts.  Here are simple survival techniques to assist you.

Exercise

• Take a walk
• Go to the gym
• Quick no cost exercises at home, like crunches
• Coach or participate in a team sport
• Yoga
• Chair exercises

Relaxation techniques

• Write affirmations on “post-it”  notes, putting them in visible locations (on your computer, on the dashboard, on the bathroom mirror) to remind you to breath deeply
• Listen to music periodically
• Turn off the music and brainstorm creative solutions; write them down
• Visualization: go to the beach in your head for a few minutes or picture  your new office
• Get enough sleep
• Don’t exercise before bedtime
• Pray

Volunteer work

• Offer to help someone with a project, demonstrating your talent
• Volunteer to do a pro-bono project for a favorite charity
• Become a foster home for the Humane Society
• Serve food at a local homeless shelter

Rewards

• Take a walk after making five superior job contacts
• Go to a cheap movie
• Talk with an old friend
• Clean a closet or drawer
• Write an email to someone you haven’t seen for awhile
• Post a motivational or humorous slogan

Time management

• Choose a “career partner” who can be objective (not a family member) whom you will call daily at a specific time to report your  job activity
• Maintain a record of how you spend your time
• Make a daily/weekly/monthly list of things to accomplish.

These suggestions are simplistic but they work.  You can Google “depression job search” and you’ll find six million articles to assist you with more sophisticated ideas to help.  If you are immobilized for more than three weeks, you may need to see your doctor as you don’t want to spiral downward any longer.  You may have a health issue.

The bottom line:

If what you are doing is not working, try new methods.  People like helping others.  Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions and help.  This is not a good time to feel shame or lack of confidence, but to take control of the roller coaster in new ways.  Maybe your brother-in-law will have a good contact for you on Thanksgiving!

Please subscribe to be notified of upcoming posts. If you have tips for maintaining balance on the  job search roller coaster, please comment.

Why does China pertain to you?  Are you open to global opportunities?  Are you connecting with people you know outside your immediate area of expertise?  Are you staying in touch with your boss who moved to Malaysia?  What about that friend of yours who moved to Budapest?

According to my former colleague, Francesco Masetti-Placci, China is a wonderful place to live and work.  Reading articles about the economic opportunities in China or India  sounded so far away for my colleagues or me.  But the more I think about it, the more likely we all need to consider global careers.

Francesco is a fabulous example of the globally oriented engineer.  When I met Francesco, he was Director of Research and Development for Alcatel in Richardson.  He’d already migrated from Italy to the US, later returning to Italy for a two year assignment with Alcatel in strategy and marketing.  From there he moved to China for the company to develop business in the Asia-Pacific market.  When that assignment ended, he took a few months to decide what the next step in his career would be.  And he’s still in China!

Francesco and I re-connected through Linkedin, after many years.  He’s truly a “renaissance man” in today’s marketplace.  Willingly and with excitement, he’s creating his own career adventure.

Francesco is now a part of a small, growing consulting company with a niche and connections doing business with companies who need, not only advice, but also people willing to take calculated risks with developing their careers in new ways.

Certainly there are families who can’t move but the ones who are stuck in a rut, unwilling to move into our global, electronic world may be left behind in the dust.  If you are an entrepreneur, you want the best profits for whatever your endeavor may be.  That may not be in China.  With the right advice, your innovative idea may become reality in Argentina or Allen, Texas.

You may want and need to take some classes to prepare for the idea of being employed abroad or owning your own company.  Southern Methodist University, as well as University of Texas-Dallas in Dallas offer excellent programs.  My bet is you can find classes in your area or online to help you fill the gaps in your background before moving forward.

If you have a creative idea for a business, think globally.  You may work from your garage after writing a plan on a napkin, as innovation is critical in this economy.  Experts exist to encourage and help you.  Brainstorm your ideas.  Make some plans.  Research and revise the plans.  Leaving relatives and friends may be difficult, but with our global communications, you can easily stay in touch.  Being open to change prevents missing opportunities!

Are you a calculated risk taker?  Can you willingly adapt new ways to use your skills?  I bet you know some people like Francesco.  And if you don’t, I have some more stories to share in upcoming articles to encourage you to think globally!

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GUEST AUTHOR: Murli Melwani

from the Dallas Morning News

The term “persons in transition” is rich with possibilities of interpretation. It can range from an echo of Buddha’s immortal saying, “Change is the only constant in life” to the heartbreaking situation of people out of work today.

Recently I attended a meeting conducted under the auspices of JOB, named after the Biblical unfortunate, but really an acronym for Job Opportunity Basics.

Invited by Ruth Glover, one of the coordinators of the JOB Group, to introduce ourselves, I heard snippets of human drama: the mother of a challenged child juggling situations and losing jobs; an engineer being told after being interviewed three times by the same company that he was overqualified for the position; a systems designer announcing that he had filed six applications in six days; a man with experience in sales and engineering being told over and over again that the opening was not for a “generalist.” There were 16 such cameos.

The expressions I saw on the faces of the participants, the range of body language, the variety of inflexions in voices, were a testimony to both the frailty as well as the strength of the human spirit. Eyes around the table showed the disappointment from losing an opportunity to an internal candidate. A flicker of anger surfaced as an injustice was narrated; the anger harnessed a moment later. The dull narration of one’s circumstances reflecting the shell-shock of being laid off recently. Some struggled with focus even though they knew goal setting was important. All of us reached out in our own ways to the other 15.

The speaker of the evening, Jan Moorman, spoke about the career changes she had made at considerable financial and emotional cost. “But a trapeze artist cannot swing from one trapeze to the other if he does not let go of the bar.” That attitude had in fact opened her up to opportunities.

Her talk struck a chord. When Ruth Glover asked us to share what we were taking away from the evening, several people said we must “make a leap of faith,” have the courage to follow our dreams, develop a passion, go with the flow and be ready to make sacrifices in its pursuit.

What surfaced was our shared humanity. Dick mentioned three openings he had learned about that others in the room were free to apply for. Jane confided that volunteering had been a shortcut to a job for a friend. John said he was ready to give up his current position for a job that would perhaps pay less but allow him more human interaction. Bob mentioned an opening in a finance company.

Everyone was ready to share the information.

Custer Road United Methodist Church sponsors the JOB Group with volunteers Ruth Glover and her co-coordinators — Roy Hunter, Sara Owen, Locke Alderson and Craig Gussow — to host the JOB meetings on its premises. The format of the group is interesting. The résumé review and interviewing tutorials take place on the first Tuesday of the month. A subgroup, called the Advanced Action Accountability Group, or the AAA Group, consisting of those who have a completed résumé, know how to interview and understand networking, meets every week, on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m.

On the fifth Tuesday of the month, the JOB Group invites a speaker. The speaker is a specialist in his field and the talk invariably relates to issues connected with job searches.

There is no charge, nor any conditions, for attending JOB Group meetings. I can’t recognize angels with wings. But I can spot one in human form; when I do, I don’t hesitate to recommend her volunteer work to others.

(THANK YOU, MURLI, FOR SUCH A NICE ARTICLE ABOUT OUR GROUP!)

Murli Melwani is a Plano resident. His blog can be read at www.indoenglishstories.blogspot.com. His e-mail address is murli@unigain.net. Contact Ruth Glover at 972-208-2333 .  You can subscribe to be notified when she posts new articles.