Mindy Thomas

CAREER CHAT

WINNING IN THE JOB MARKET TODAY

Winning in the Job Market Today

I love success stories, don’t you? Just last week I heard from my client out in Pittsburgh that she “landed” her dream job. I started thinking about how she was able to win in this treacherous job market.

What makes the difference? What else does it take besides a dynamite resume, a strong network and an optimistic attitude to land a new position in today’s job market? Harvard Business School Press ranks Tony Robbins as one of the Top 200 Business Gurus in the world and he has helped scores of celebrities, politico’s and people — just like you and me.

Frankly, I am convinced that Tony’s Ultimate Success Formula is a fabulous game plan. In fact, this particular formula is one that successful people follow . . . either unconsciously or consciously. So, here is the low down . . . it’s really rather simple.

#1 Decide what you want. Clarity is power.
You must become clear on what it is that you want. In the world of resume writing, we mean . . . be clear on the actual position you are seeking within your industry. Resume writers love when they find a job seeker who is focused and has a target to shoot for. So do employers.

#2 Take action. It is not enough to know what you want.
You actually need to do something about it. This does not mean just talking about landing a new job or advancing up the ladder. It means working at it. Working at it — like your life depended on it. How much more energy would you put into it if that were the case? Many people know what they want, but they don’t take action. You know what I am talking about. It’s sort of like saying you want to lose 10 lbs. and never beginning to exercise or reduce the food intake.

If you are confused or don’t know what to do, find a great career counselor and coach to help define your interests, skills and values. Then, explore your options.

If you’ve been out of the job market for awhile and fearful about getting started, there are scores of great books out there like Peter Weddle’s Work Strong, Job Search Magic by Susan Britton Whitcomb and What Color is My Parachute by Dick Bolles.

#3 Notice what’s working and what isn’t. Here’s where the meltdown happens.
Many job seekers really miss this third and very important step. They keep doing the same things over and over again.

The operative word is noticing. Be mindful of how you are finding work. Analyze your process, yourself and try different approaches. Distinguish yourself. Think about how you can stand out from the crowd. What would stand out to you?

I know a police lieutenant who not only emailed his resume into the HR department for a Chief of Police position at his local district, but he also got “suited” up and outright walked his “hard copy” over to the Mayor’s office. He never breathed a word to anyone at the office that he was doubling down on that application. In the finale, that lieutenant was promoted to the Chief’s position.

#4 Change the approach until you get what you want.
This last concept is the most important. Flexibility is power. It is this final piece of the formula that will help you to be triumphant.

Become creative. Pull out all the stops. Talk to your trusted friends and family. Step back and think about your process. Interrupt the pattern you are in right now. Think about the competition and take a different approach.

Being agile in a chaotic, often frenzy world is not an easy feat but candidates are winning the war every single day. And, I am convinced that they are following this formula — either consciously or unconsciously.

Next time we’ll look more closely at the success story of this Pittsburgh woman who landed her dream job during this holiday season when supposedly no one was “hiring.” She didn’t give up even after she was told the job was filled. I believe she unconsciously followed this formula to a T.

Your Career is Your Business. Isn’t it Time For You to Manage it Like a CEO?

Please call Professional Career Counselor Mindy Thomas, MS, CPRW, CLC, CJC, CJDC directly at 610.937.5632 or send us a message. Our offices are located in suburban Philadelphia at 221 North Olive Street in Media, PA, close to Wilmington DE, NYC and Washington DC.