Job Search: How To Focus with Less “What,” More “Why”

“Your job search will be more successful if you focus less on what you’d like to do and more on why you’re doing it.”

“If we started thinking less about what day-to-day tasks we wanted to do while at work (the ‘what’) and reflected more on the things we wanted to achieve, accomplish or bring about (the ‘why’), we’d have a much easier time determining which field/industry we want to enter, companies we’d like to work for and jobs we’d like to apply for.” By Rachel McKee

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

Rachel is definetly on the right path. The only small addition I would add is after you’ve decided on your why. Start looking for companies which match your why.

Don’t just settle for any job, “if” there are oppertunites in companies which “fit you and your why”.

Simon Sinek does a great Ted talk around the Why, How, and What. If you haven’t seen it before, it is worth the time. It helps define the “why” in the article above as well as the companies you will pursue.

http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

During the job search, your skills and capabilities help you pintpoint the types of jobs you can add value. Howevever, if the job and the company is unable to fill your passion in life, your “why”, it makes the days that much longer.

See on talentegg.ca

Job Seekers: 10 Unconventional Very Effective Tips

by Ken Jondahl

“When you ask any professional who has achieved some level of greatness how he or she got there, the journey is always unique, always varied, and rarely cookie-cutter.”

“Most have, in some capacity, followed their passion, used their network, and had a good resume–but those things are usually part of a much bigger picture, and an unpredictable winding path.”

“Instead of always following the exact by-the-book job seeking formulas, most were simply open to possibilities and got really good at whatever it is they were doing.” by Isa Adney, http://isaadney.com/

“Here are 10 unconventional (but very effective) things job seekers should try, in addition to traditional job search tactics.” by Jacquelyn Smith-Forbes

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

I enjoy reading Jacquelyn Smith. Her advice is always grounded with input from other experts, as well as her own insight to what is working and what is not around job seeking and growing your career.

The article touches on numerous ideas you may want to consider if you are currently on the job hunt. Just make sure to read Parnell’s input before jumping in with both feet:

Parnell says generally speaking, unconventional methods should be used sparingly, judiciously and only when necessary. “And when you do decide to use them, factor comprehensively by recognizing things like industry standards, personalities involved, and the general ilk of the position’s responsibilities, before strategizing.”

See on www.forbes.com

Job Search: 14 Tips For Staying Calm During An Interview

by Ken Jondahl

“You’re in the hot seat. Your palms are sweaty; voice is shaky; face is flushed; and mouth is dry. Maybe you’re bouncing your knees and talking too fast.”

“Perhaps your heart is racing or your stomach is turning. You’re nervous.”

“Why does this happen to so many job candidates?”

“When we perceive that we are in a high stakes situation, the brain doesn’t distinguish the high stakes of a job interview–where it would help to be calm, cool and collected–from the high stakes of being under threat from attack (say, from a tiger),” says Dr. Tamar Chansky, author of Freeing Yourself from Anxiety.

“Plenty of job candidates get nervous in the hot seat–but you’ll want to try your hardest to remain cool, calm and collected. Here are 14 ways to do that.” by Jacquelyn Smith – Forbes

Prefer slide show view, go here: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45ehgee/how-to-stay-calm-during-a-job-interview/#gallerycontent

streetsmartprof‘s insight:

You have already seen most of the 14 ways to stay calm by Dr. Tamar Chansky in your own research around the job hunt. Such as the first 5, Be Prepared, Plan, Rehearse, Eliminate the Unknown and Arrive Early.

The twist behind the article is Dr Chansky is helping us understand many of the normal ways our brains are wired for “Flight” or “Fight”.

Knowing this is where most of the anxiety is coming from helps figure out how to deal with an upcoming interview as well as what to do the day of and during the interview to stay “calmer”.

However, as a friend of mine says: “If you ever find yourself sitting back in the chair, it is time to get nervous.” So don’t be too relaxed during a job interview or the job search. Our body language is much more powerful in speaking than our own words. Both to ourselves as well as the hiring manager.

See on www.forbes.com

Ready to Jump In and Start Applying for Jobs?

by Ken Jondahl

What the experts recommend for a job search

I started this article back in 2012 and have been hunting for the current answer ever since. At first I figured a quick 30 minutes to refresh my knowledge. Boy was I wrong…

Type in “job search”, (use quotations for an exact match), on Google and 170 Million hits show up today in 2018. Using “job search experts”, the search results drop to 19,000.

The job search is like building a movie one frame at a time.

You land, turn the page, and keep going. Slowly a pattern emerges.

Use what the Job Resource Experts have already found to work the best in the job hunt.
In the 170 million job search links, tons of stuff is repeated over and over and over.
Many of the millions of pages want one thing, your money.
The “true experts” provide content with depth and experience which is mostly free.
Continue reading→

The Hiring Process is Like Choosing a College

by Ken Jondahl

The reasons are not so clear at first glance, yet both are a buy-sell cycle.

In both cases there is a buyer and a seller. The economic impact is similar, whether you are choosing to go to college or to hire a new employee. Comparing time lines, the evaluation of “which college” or “which person” is likely weeks or months, not days.

And as the buyer gets near the final decision, risks and doubts begin to rise, “is this the right college for me”, or “is this the right employee for the job”.

The difference, going to school, you were the buyer. Coming out of school going to look for a job, you are now the “seller“.Continue reading→