Inspiration for the job seeker by Yana Parker, author of The Damn Good Resume Guide

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IDEAS FROM "THE ESTEEM TEAM"
A Magic Box of Job-Hunter Survival Tips

We three colleagues, Yana Parker, Rose White, and Lionel Whitnah--dubbing ourselves "The Esteem Team"-- presented a workshop for job hunters that featured what we called a "Magic Box" -- a card file box filled with 3x5 file cards each containing an IDEA or AFFIRMATION useful in a JOB SEARCH.

We suggested that job hunters create their own MAGIC BOX with ideas and affirmations personally meaningful to them.

Here are some ideas contributed by job hunters who attended our workshop at a Northern California FORTY PLUS job club. On: Anxiety -- Connectedness -- Attitude -- Self-Care -- Job Search Strategy

TIP: Leave your cynicism at the door; come on in and be willing to try out a new idea even if it sounds a bit hokey. Personally, I've found that some pretty "hokey" things work damn well!--Yana P.

Ideas for coping with ANXIETY, AIMLESSNESS, LOWERED SELF-CONFIDENCE.

When you need an emotional head-start, prepare for a great day by setting your alarm for 5:00 a.m. -- get up, shower, dress for business, then read for 30 minutes. (Suggestions: "In Search of Excellence" or "Growing a Business" or similar books.) Then repeat in front of a mirror the essential points of your reading until you believe it.
Keep a reminder card in your wallet: "I'm a COMPETENT, CREDIBLE PROFESSIONAL."
Re-read your list of accomplishments and remember all the impressive things (your successes) you've done.

When depressed, remember to count your blessings: life, health, spouse, family, and good fortune.

When angered or frustrated, take 5 minutes to walk away and breathe deeply.
I keep a little post-it note on the wall near my bed, which says: "I am grateful for . . . " First thing in the morning and last thing at night, I see the note and am reminded to complete the sentence. A good way to start, or end, the day.

Remember Helen Keller's words about SECURITY:

Security is mostly a superstition.
It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of man as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
Helen Keller

NETWORKING IDEAS:

Always follow a request for help with a benefit for the person who helped you -- for example, a compliment, some useful information, a small gift, a thank-you note, etc.

Telephone a friend or potential employer to favorably comment on seeing their name in a newspaper or magazine article.

When you hear about a position that isn't right for you, don't waste the opportunity -- think of some other job-hunter you could recommend for the position.

KEEPING-A-POSITIVE-ATTITUDE ideas:

Associate with positive people and be receptive to new ideas.

Approach every job call or interview with the attitude that you don't HAVE to have that job -- then it will be less disappointing if you don't get it.

Go back in your mind and review your past successes -- think of the achievements for which you received recognition -- give yourself a pat on the back.

Remain open to the opportunities and possibilities. Don't quickly dismiss suggestions or ideas.

Approach the Job Search business as a Game -- yes, a serious game -- to maintain balance, self-esteem and objectivity. Study and learn all rules of the Job Search Game: self-analysis, resume writing, interviewing dynamics, and so forth. Maintain a healthy self-confidence which views you as an equal with those who interview you (don't be subordinated). Don't let a single rejection get you down -- go on with the Job Search Game.

Don't be too narrowly focused. If an opportunity arises to interview for a job you would normally reject, use it as an informational interview. I did this, and it helped to clarify what I was really looking for.

Appreciate the "No" -- each of us has a specific finite number of "no's" we have to get before getting the "yes". We don't know how many, but we must get them all out of the way first. Rejoice in each "no" -- it's out of the way and you're closer to your YES.

TAKING-GOOD-CARE-OF-YOURSELF ideas:

Keep physically active.

Exercise every day...no matter what.

Join a support group like 40-plus, and stay involved every day. It feels good to be productive.

Get some emotional counseling, not just career counseling.

If you're feeling unfocused, stop what you're doing, take time to be quiet, go inside yourself, and meditate. THE FOCUS WILL EMERGE!!!

What I noticed about my fear:
...when I avoid what I'm fearful of, it seems to grow bigger;
...when I confront what scares me, it seems to get smaller.
So I've decided to stop backing away, and start moving forward.

Listen to some tapes on effective selling. They also help on "selling" yourself to an employer.

When faced with inaction (a mental block) I remind myself of the future condition which I'm aiming for; then I give myself a promise of a short term reward (later in the day, or in the week, etc.), some treat I give myself after working further toward the goal.

If I get caught up in WORRYING, I stop and actively imagine the worst outcome, the worst possible scenario (i.e., rent due, eviction). What could actually happen to me? (I might have to move in with someone else). Usually after doing this the charge will be gone and it will reduce my worry.

When you're down -- read stories of people who overcame adversity, for example, "The World's Greatest Comebacks".

Remember: All you can do is all you can do.

Join the "newcomers" group in your community to meet people -- frequently senior executives relocate and can be a good source of referrals.

Avoid isolation. Every day get out and be with other people in some way.

Ideas for STRATEGIZING YOUR JOB SEARCH

Do First Things First.
Write a "to do" list. Prioritize it. Eliminate the fluff. Schedule the rest.
At 8:30 A.M. today -- do the thing that you most don't want to do, and celebrate getting it behind you.
Marketing letters work much better than cover letters with resume enclosed -- particularly for 40-plus individuals.
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