The Career Attraction Weekly Wrap-up – July 23, 2010
I don’t know about where you are, but it’s been bloody hot here. I guess it’s the yin to the yang of having had over 40″ of snow this past winter.
When I start thinking about the heat, I think about our men and women serving overseas in spots where it’s even hotter (and that’s the least of their concerns!). Remebering what those 120+ degree days with 80% humidity were like when I was in the Persian Gulf puts it all into perspective for me. A constant reminder to seek out the half full instead of the half empty.
I hope you are staying cool and having a great weekend.
Now, here’s what happened this past week at Career Attraction:
Facebook versus LinkedIn – This past week I opened up the NEW Career Attraction Facebook Page and LinkedIn Group. I also made an announcement that when we hit 1000 members, I’ll be giving away some FREE memberships to my Career Attraction University! So, if you haven’t joined – please do so. If you have, invite some friends to join both. The sooner we hit 1000, the sooner I can give away these memberships. I’m ready – how about you? Click here to join our Facebook Page. Click here to join our LinkedIn Group.
Update on Coaching – Last week I filled the two spots I announced were open for my Private Coaching. Mike and I kicked things off last Wednesday and are already moving forward with a plan. John is on vacation this week, but we will begin when he returns.
The response was huge, so I’ve developed another program: my Group Coaching Circle. I will be announcing the full details and registration next week to the general public. If you’d like to get the skinny first, email me for more information. It combines everything those interested in coaching have asked for: accessibility, customized answers, ongoing support, affordability and more. Click here to be one of the first to learn about the Group Coaching Circle.
Lemonade: It’s not a pink slip, it’s a blank page – I love documentaries. My brother-in-law is a filmmaker…I think I’ve single-handedly crashed Netflix’s servers with my overusage…I’ve got what some might call a problem. It’s as simple as that.
So, when I stumbled upon Erik Proulx’s film “Lemonade,” I had to watch it. Simply described, it’s a collection of 16 advertising professionals’ stories about how they “lost their jobs and found their calling.” It’s relatable, relevant and inspiring. I’ve never recommended a movie before on my blog, but this is a MUST SEE. Click here to read more…
Q&A: Help me Make Sense of Working with Recruiters - This week’s question isn’t so much a particular one as it is a collection of questions I’ve been getting around one central theme: recruiters. How do I work with them? When should I work with them? Why aren’t they calling me back? Are they a waste of time?
In today’s Q&A column I’m not only going to tackle many of these topics, but I’ve created a FREE video (100% content you can put to work for yourself today – nothing is being sold here) for you that will help you figure out when its most beneficial for you to work with a recruiter and how to get the most out of the relationship.
Read my response here…
Next week in Career Attraction University:
- 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions – Wednesday, July 28. You can sign-up in the members area.
- Monthly SME Webinar - Everything You Need to Know About Working with Recruiters – Wednesday, July 28 at 12:00pmEST (Invitations will be emailed on Monday for Career Attraction University members). You can send your questions in advance to university@careerattraction.com or ask them LIVE on the webinar.
- More Training Videos are coming this week too!
Not a member of Career Attraction University? For less than one dollar a day you can access all this information and more. Sign-up here and get started today!
2008 – 2010 – Career Attraction – All Rights Reserved
This Month in the Career Mastermind Program
April is going to be a busy month for the Career Mastermind Program. Below is a snapshot of what’s on the agenda for members.
Members can log in and register for the sessions using the taskbar on the right.
Not a member yet? Join today and the first month is completely free – on me. There is over a year’s worth of content – SME webinars, Q&A calls, downloads and videos – all aimed at cutting significant time off your job search! Give it a test drive and see how you like it…you can cancel at any time – no questions asked.
Q&A Webinar
April 13th – 12:00pmEST
On this webinar, I will be answering any and all questions about the job search or career management. You can submit your question(s) for this session live during the webinar or email them to mastermind@careerattraction.com.
1-on-1 Coaching Calls
April 14th, 15th, 28th and 29th
Sign up for a private, 1-on-1 session with me to talk about your job search – tackling tough obstacles, brainstorming new ideas…however you chose to use the time! This is your chance to get some customized advice and guidance that is tailored just for you.
Incorporating Video as Part of Your Career Attraction Strategy
April 20th – 12:00pmEST
In last month’s webinar, we talked about using advanced techniques and strategies for the Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp System. In this session, I will dig deeper into using one medium in particular: video. We will discuss:
- How to get started immediately after the webinar
- What you can accomplish with video that you cannot with a resume or other traditional job search tools
- The best way to get your video to go viral (this may surprise you…it did me!)
- The best resources (most are free) out there to use – and how to use them
Controlling the Brand Called You
April 27th – 12:00pmEST
You have a brand whether you know it or not. Brands are your reputation, the reflection of the value you bring, the promises you make and the solutions you offer. Face it – when you are competing with hundreds, maybe even thousands of others for a position, it will boil down to how you get noticed, how you are remembered and what value you could honestly bring to your new organization.
Join me and Jessi LaCosta (Branding Expert and Bootcamp Contributor) as she shows you how to:
- obtain laser like career focus
- improve interpersonal skills
- clearly articulate and project why you are unique
- get results by confidently and genuinely communicating your value
- learn how to align with others (personally and professionally)who share similar core values
plus a Q&A session at the end.
These sessions are ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet? Join now to access these sessions (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with my special F.R.E.E. 1 month Membership trial.
By joining you also get access to past SME Calls (Ilona Vanderwoude on Resumes, Chuck Csizmar on Compensation Negotiation, Wendy Weiss on Cold Calling Hiring Managers, Katherine Moody on Networking, Marci Reynolds on Twitter, me on Advanced Job Search Techniques and numerous Q&A calls) plus videos, downloads and everything else the program has to offer. Learn more about the Mastermind Program and take advantage of a one month F.R.E.E. trial.
Focus on the “Now”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
The quote is from Buddha. While I am not sure if he experienced the frustration that can come along with a job search, I think his advice is very fitting. Clients constantly tell me how they feel like their search is taking too long, they are lacking focus since they are looking at so many different things or they simply do not think they are making process. If you are experiencing any of this in your search, here is some advice to help you focus on the “now.”
The Push and The Pull – Every search has a Push and a Pull. The Push is the reason you are leaving (or have left) your current (or past) job. The Pull is what is attracting you to your new job. Too often, by dwelling in the past you end up focusing on the Push. This is a lot like talking about an “ex” on a first date. A little bit can go a long way (in a bad way). Focus on the moment, which is the company you are pursuing and why they are a good fit for you.
Work in Blocks – Most people are looking at multiple opportunities across a wide array of industries – particularly if you are looking to change fields. It is typical to be left feeling a little scattered and without focus when jostling all these different positions in various stages of progress. Try breaking down your time into blocks. You can organize the time blocks by specific industry or by activity type (follow up calls, check-in emails, etc.). This allows you to get into a groove and get the most out of a set of like tasks, versus constantly shifting gears.
The Interview – Simply put, your job at each phase of the interview is to get invited back for the next interview. Do not worry about how many steps are in the process. Do not worry about compensation. Keep focused on stating your track record of accomplishments and the ROI the company will get by hiring you. This will put you in a position to not only be invited back, but in doing so you can figure out if this is the right job for you.
Patience – It isn’t a virtue, it is a requirement. The average job search is taking 211 days. Companies are taking their time to make the right hire which is resulting in a longer process than we have seen in years. Have a system to follow up and keep in touch with your prospective employer(s). Demonstrating patience will only help raise your stock, since your competition is likely not playing it as cool as you will be.
Sucking the Marrow – Be in the “now” for every call, email or meeting. You need to be constantly expanding your network, so whenever you are in communication with someone get the most out of that conversation. Who else do they know? Who is hiring? Get everything you can out of each interaction. And, always remember “give to get.”
This process is a marathon, not a sprint – particularly in this economy. Keep that perspective and focus on making forward progress every day. That may be a positive conversation that leads to a new introduction can be just as valuable in the long run as an interview.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to get more like it delivered straight to your email, you can sign up here.
Want to use this article in your ezine, blog or website? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: It’s not about resumes, job boards, recruiters or even networking. As Your Career Attraction Mentor, Kevin Kermes will show you how to stop chasing after jobs and start attracting opportunities. He believes you are at your best when you can be yourself. Sounds like a better approach, doesn’t it? You can get more free advice like this by visiting him at www.careerattraction.com
© 2008 – 2010 – Kevin Kermes Inc
How I Got the Job – Ed Warner: The “Hidden” Job Market
In this episode of “How I Got the Job,” Ed Warner talks about his recent job search. He shares how he tapped into the “hidden” job market, the importance of networking and how social media factored in as well. Listen in and share your thoughts below.
Interested in implementing these techniques to make your job search more efficient? Check out Kevin’s Job Search 2.o Bootcamp Homestudy System – designed specifically more the mid to senior level executive designed to drive opportunities to you, establish you as a Subject Matter Expert and cut significant time off your search – all without using job boards or recruiters. Click here to learn more.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com
2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search – Free Webinar – Thursday, 7/23 – 3pmEST
Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075
**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**
Whether you just started your job search or have been at it for awhile now, this call is what you have been waiting for. You owe it to yourself to learn the secrets to cutting significant time off your job search now. I also have some special gifts for joining me on the call, but you must be signed up (if can’t make the call, I will send you the recording afterwards – but you must be signed up).
On this webinar, you’ll learn:
* the biggest block that’s likely keeping you and your search in low-gear right now and wasting precious time (and how to bust out of your rut)
* 5 things recruiters have begged me not to share with you that can keep you from having your job search sabotaged without you even knowing it.
* why your resume is not as critical a factor in getting the interviews (or the job) as you think
* 3 immediate ways you can make your job search lean-and-mean right now! (These are so simple and yet so effective.)
* how you can start working a new plan immediately to find the job you want and cut your job search time in as much as half.
**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**
Reserve Your Spot by Going to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/397959075
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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine (read by over 21,000 professionals worldwide) – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that
