12 Keys to Get That Job You Want and Deserve

• Join or form a Success Team. Becoming part of team that supports your job search will help you stay focused, move forward, and receive creative input.

• Join ProMatch. Take advantage of the free training and networking this or similar EDD groups make available.

• Get a coach and enroll in career related workshops. A good coach can keep you focused, help you more quickly achieve your goals, and provide clear input and needed support. Workshops can keep your skills current.

• Join Toastmasters and hone your speaking and interpersonal skills.

• Create a marketing/job search plan and log. Detail what you are going to do when. This is a living document that changes as you research the market. It will help you stay on track and log what you've done and what's next.

• Create a targeted, well-written resume (and cover letter) that directly focuses on the needs of the potential employer. Remember, they want to know what's in it for them.

• Network and informational interview your way to the hidden job market. 80% or more jobs are obtained by networking. So you need to get out there and meet people. Tell everyone you know what you are looking for and ask them who they know and then follow up.

• Attend job hunting/professional functions. Attend job fairs, meetings of groups like C-6, and relevant free seminars. Go to professional association luncheons and talks; volunteer your services, sit on one of their committees. Becoming involved with professional associations is a great way to meet people, feel competent, and network, network, network!

• Take care of yourself. A job hunt tends to be a marathon rather than a sprint and can be very stressful. Maximize your ability to cope by exercising, eating well, getting enough sleep, and relaxing (exercises/meditation/yoga). Take breaks and mini vacations from the job search. Reward yourself for your hard work. You deserve it!

• Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to feel good about your self, help others, learn new skills, and contribute to an organization which might later hire you. It's also something you can add to your resume.

• Think of yourself as actor/actress. For some, the job hunt “marketing of self” and schmoozing doesn't come naturally. One way to deal with this is to pretend you're an actor or actress playing a role in which you need to convince people that you're confident, competent, and deserve that great job you seek. After all, down deep you are all those things and you deserve a great job!

• Maximize "Planned Happenstance." As much as possible, remain optimistic, curious, persistent, flexible, and take a few risks. This makes it more likely that "good luck" will come your way. Or put another way, you'll spot the potential good in situations and see opportunities amidst the danger.

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