Earlier in the year, I mentioned that I have decided to put a priority on four strategies this year, Focus, Learning, Projects, and Relationships. We have already looked at Focus.* In this article, let's look at Learning.
The Pixley Formula (named after Charles Pixley who, after being downsized, dared to wear a homemade sandwich board with his resume on it, and stand at the corner of Wall St and Broadway) states that job seekers must:
"Believe in yourself. Improve yourself. Put yourself out there."
The second part, Improve yourself, is what I mean by learning.
One of the most important types of learning for anyone in transition is to learn What Works. There are a number of ways to do that.
First and foremost is to get a copy of What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles. It is truly the bible for job hunters and career changers.
Next, there are many good bloggers out there with expertise in job search and career change. Experts such as Walter Akana, Lindsay Pollak, Bill Vick, Alexandra Levit, Hannah Morgan, Miriam Salpeter, Keith Ferrazzi, Abby Kohut, and Nick Corcodilos. I publish a daily e-paper, called The Career Success Experts Daily, that you can subscribe to that rounds up many of these bloggers.
Last, but very important, is to learn "what works" from people who have landed. Many support groups have the practice of inviting members who have landed to come back and share what helped them to land.
I ran into someone recently who had been in transition for a long time. He happily told me that he had landed. Immediately I asked him, "What worked for you, Phil"? (Note: Phil is a fictional name.)
Without hesitation, Phil said the following: "What works is not giving up. Staying focused and positive. Not letting the rejections, and the lack of response, get you down."
I asked him if there was anything else. He said, "Networking is the key. Someone that I knew from a prior company called me and asked me if I was looking. I said that I was and he introduced me to someone at this company that had a need. That led to an offer. Which I accepted."
Asking what works. Being receptive to the answer. Internalizing it and adapting it. Learning continuously is key.
Note: Here is the article on Focus: http://www.examiner.com/article/focusing-your-search-2013?cid=db_articles
Note: Here is the link for the Career Success Experts Daily: http://paper.li/tseamon/careersuccessexperts
Terrence H. Seamon is an organization development consultant who provides leadership and team development services to employers in New Jersey. His book Lead the Way explores the challenges of leadership. Additionally, Terry is a job search and career coach whose book To Your Success provides a motivational guide for anyone in transition. An alumnus of PSG, Terry co-founded and co-moderates the St. Matthias Employment Ministry in Somerset, NJ. He can be reached at thseamon@yahoo.com and via his website: http://about.me/terrenceseamon
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