Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for joining me again this week on The Career Couch!  There's always room for one more. ;-)  So, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite adult beverage and let's chat for a bit about what's going on in your job search. 

One thing I always demand here on The Career Couch is honesty.  So, let's talk candidly for a bit.  Has your job search been going on too long?  I mean, think about it for one second.  The economy seems to be picking up.  Unemployment numbers are still high, but everyone you talk to in the industry says that things are starting to chug along again, and some of your friends have started to get some really cool gigs.  So, why aren't things looking up for you?  Why does your job search seem to be in cardiac arrest with no hope of resuscitation?  If this rings a bell with you, it might help to know that you aren't alone.  I talk to a lot of people on a daily basis that are looking for work, and I have to say that there are others out there who have been at this whole job search thing for far too long.  So, what's the deal?  Why do some people have all the luck and, yet you can't seem to get even the slightest little break? 

Well, sometimes it's just a matter of timing.  I am a firm believer in persistence yielding results!  But what if it's not timing?  What if there's something wrong in the way you are going about your job search?  There's really no way to tell for sure, but my advice is to do the best you can to eliminate yourself and your actions (or inaction) as the reason why your job search has fallen flat.  Sooooo, in the interest of honesty and taking a good look at ourselves, I've listed below some common job search approaches to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE:

1.  The Unmotivated Approach – Look, I know this is hard.  Being in the midst of a job search might be the toughest "job" you will ever have.  Yep, that's right!  I've said it before and I'll say it again…when you are in the midst of a job search, your job IS looking for a job.  So, treat it as you would if you were getting up and going to a job every day.  Wake up every morning and get going on your job search right away!  I know it's tempting to sit around the house watching the Pawn Stars marathon or to spend the day running household errands and looking after your sister's dog, but the truth is that if you don't work at your job search your chances of actually finding a job aren't that great!  (Yep, I went there…I said it!)  The last time I checked, great jobs didn't fall out of trees, so you have to actually be looking for a job in order to find one!  Create a to do list or a game plan before you go to bed, and when you wake up start each day refreshed and ready to tackle your to do list and continue the quest for a great new job!

2.  The Out Of Focus Approach – Many times job searches are unsuccessful or are slow to yield success because they lack focus.  This is especially true of those that work in an artistic field and have the ability to hold more than one position on a production.  To gain some focus in your job search, know what job title or area you're concentrating on (which can be tough, but its necessary) and then create your list of top 5 places were you want to work.  By zeroing in and focusing your job search, you are concentrating your efforts and your energy in a more direct way, and your chances of yielding results will instantly become much higher!

3.  The Love'em and Leave'em Approach – One of the biggest job search sins is a lack of follow up.  If you are out there networking and sending out your promotional materials and your resume, yet you never follow up with the contacts you're making, you are seriously doing major damage to your job search.  Instead of dropping the ball and working against yourself, show the folks you are connecting with how serious you are in your search by being proactive and "on top of things" and following up with them.  You will not only impress them with your motivation, but you will look professional and send the signal that you are exactly the type of employee they NEED to hire! ;-)

4.  The Oversaturated Approach – The words "over saturation" might make you think of Hannah Montana or that tired Ed Hardy stuff that had its ten seconds of coolness two years ago, but you can also over saturate yourself in your job search by sending out your resume for anything and everything that you see posted.  While it might sound like a great idea to send your resume in for every position at Pixar, it's actually not.  Instead, only submit yourself for the positions for which you are truly qualified.  This will show that you are serious about your job search and not just throwing everything up against the wall to see what sticks.  Trust me, recruiters do talk to each other…especially those that work within the same company.  Submitting yourself for everything you see can make you look desperate and it also shows a lack of strategic thinking and focus.  So, do yourself a favor and only submit your resume for the things you are qualified for and the things you truly want.

5.  The Lone Wolf Approach – I know you get networking crammed down your throat, but it is important not to think of yourself as alone in this job search.  So, get out there and talk to everyone you know about what you want and what you're looking for.  You never know who you will meet, and how well connected someone may be.  So put out what you're searching for to everyone and anyone that will listen.  Too many times I hear, "But I don't want to bother anyone."  Well, I've got news for you…not only are you not bothering anyone with your job search, but you never know when your friends and acquaintances might be in the same boat and in need of your help.  So, go ahead and lay it all on the table.  Ask those around you for help or if they know of anyone that give you a hand in your job search.  You won't be bothering anyone, and you will probably find that people just generally want to help you in your job search. ;-)

Alrightie!  So how's that for honesty?  Did any of those approaches ring true with you?  If so, don't be discouraged.  It's never too late to change gears and make a fresh and successful start to your job search.  Look, I know this is tough!  It's never an easy thing when you have to be your own cheerleader day in and day out.  I've stood where you are, and know how difficult orchestrating a successful job search can be.  However, I also know that if you do work at your job search and really give it your all, you will not only feel better about yourself, but you greatly increase your chances of finding the job you've been searching for!

Until next time…Stay Tuned! ;-)