Jump Start Your Job Search in 2015: Reflect - Recharge - Regroup

The New Year is upon us.  This is the season to take a break; enjoy time with friends and family, and prepare for the New Year.  One can easily lose themselves in the hustle and bustle of shopping and celebrating.  It is also a time to assess our progress for the year; to express our gratitude to family, friends, and clients; and to make resolutions for the New Year.   So, why wouldn’t you want to align your job search with the cultural expectations of the season?  You may be new to the job market, or you may have been in search for many months.  Whatever your situation, this is a great time to reflect, recharge, and regroup.

Reflect

Evaluate your Job Search Strategy for its relevance.  Is your target Job/Industry Sector still viable?  What about Plan B and Plan C?  Are your plans still viable?  This is a good time to validate your job search strategy.  What activities were most helpful?  Which were not?  Who has been helpful to you?  Have you been spending your time wisely?  Make a point to do more of those activities that seem to be getting you closer to your goals, and less of those that aren’t.

Re-charge

Take a break, enjoy the season.  Don’t quit all job search activities, but dial it back a bit to have time to gain perspective.  Managers don’t stop their recruiting during the holiday season, but they do slow down their activity.  Likewise you should change your priorities a bit.  Make time for friends and family.  Re-charge your batteries so to speak.

I know many people, employed and unemployed, who use this season to reach out to people who have had an impact on their lives.  Sending Greeting Cards is an obvious way to say thank you to people who have been important to you.  If you want to really make an impact try a phone call or a face to face meeting.  I have been a bystander to one such call when I was doing a market tour with a subordinate.  I can honestly say that the impact on my subordinate was profound!   Reach out to your network to thank them for their support and to update them as to you plans.

Regroup

Ensure that your resume and cover letter is still relevant and pithy.  Make sure that your Internet presence is current.  Are you a participating member in relevant Industry/Career Interest Groups?  Is your LinkedIn profile complete?  Have you checked your Face Book account to ensure that it is aligned with your goals?  God forbid that your Face Book account is counter-productive.  You should consider starting a blog, even if it is just a chronicle of your job search.  Set new goals and objectives for the completion of daily, weekly, and monthly activities.  Have a system to track activities and measure progress toward your goals.

 In summary, use the waning weeks of 2014 to reflect on your efforts;  recharge your emotional account;  and regroup by developing a revised plan for 2015.  Express your gratitude to those who have been helpful, especially friends and family.  Take stock of your efforts of 2014.  Do more of those activities that took you closer to your goals, and less of those that did not.  Develop revisions to your plan to include a system to track your efforts and your effectiveness.  Align your job search to the traditions of the season to ensure a successful job search.

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President

New Century Dynamics Executive Search

www.newcenturydynamics.com

Exercise During Job Search to Cope with Stress

MANAGE JOB SEARCH STRESS:

Get Some Exercise

On May 18 2014, year I posted an article about the importance of improving your image to enhance your job search prospects.   Most of that post was focused on diet but it did speak to the importance of exercise to help slim down.   


Your confidence and self-worth is likely impacted by your view of your image.  If your self-confidence is negatively affected by your image, you will not perform well at interviews or at networking.  Your image is important, but, your mental state is being evaluated as well, to be sure.   One affects the other.  If you cannot work through the stress of job search, it will be evident to anyone you meet.   Exercise, however, is an excellent way to moderate stress, especially important during job search.   A body engaged in some form of exercise will relieve the mind of worries that lead to stress.
While doing some research for this post I found a few highly relevant articles.  So, instead of pontificating on the subject I have linked to articles listed below, which I know you will enjoy.


Workouts for Less Stress:  Get ripped and relaxed.  By Scott Quill, march 04, 2013:  Published on Men’s Health (http://menshealth.com
In this article Scott Quill recaps work by Steve Edwards, Ph. D., professor of sports psychology at Oklahoma State University.  Edwards spoke to six distinct exercise personalities and then matches exercise routines to fit each personality type.


Stress Management – Ways to Relieve Stress
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stress
“According to Matthew Stults-Kolemainen, Ph.D., a kinesiologist at the Yale Stress Center says that exercise attacks stress in two ways; Exercise promotes production of neurohormones like norepinephrine that are associated with improved cognitive function, elevated mood and learning.  And that can improve thinking dulled by stressful events – some research even shows how exercise can make you smarter.”


Benefits of exercise:  reduces stress, anxiety, and helps fight depression, from Harvard Men’s Health Watch.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefits-of-exercisereduces-stress-anxiety-and-helps-fight-depression
“Regular aerobic exercise can bring remarkable changes not just to your body, your metabolism, and your heart, but also to your spirits, reports the February 2011 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.  Aerobic exercise is the key for your head, just as it is for your heart.  It has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress.  Exercise reduces the levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.  It also stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.  “Harvard Men’s Health Watch notes that you should exercise nearly every day.  That doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the gym.  But it does mean at least 30 minutes of moderate activity. “


Stress Management
“Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever.  Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.”
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469
“Physical activity pumps up the production of brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins.  Sometimes called a runner’s high.  Focus on a single task like exercise or mental activity results in energy and optimism, helping you remain calm and clear.”
“Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety.  Exercise also can improve your sleep.”


9 Exercises for Stress Relief
Kate Hanley, Published December 03, 2014
www.lifescript.com/diet-fitness/articles/t/top_9_stress-reducing_workouts_for_women.aspx
 “Chronic tension can be the culprit behind both long-term conditions (depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure) and everyday health woes (headaches, back pain, insomnia, upset stomach, anxiety, anger). “


Summary
While you are between jobs, working on your image will help you manage stress.  Practice your favorite routines until they become habits.   Intense, rigorous exercise like jogging or cycling is awesome, but it is not your only option.  Low impact activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, and dancing can be beneficial.  Breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation routines are useful too.  Skill-based sports like golfing and tennis are great options, if you are already familiar with those sports.  Don’t underestimate the value of mundane activities such as housecleaning or gardening.  

   
Do something for yourself.  An appropriate physical activity will help you look and feel better.  Achieving exercise goals will improve your image and self-confidence while helping you manage the stress level.  Set goals and find a partner to keep you company.  Focus on the task at hand while exercising.  Don’t let your mind wander.  Especially avoid negative thoughts.  It will also burn off a lot of the stress that comes from the ups and downs of job-search.


Thank you for visiting my blog.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.


 Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com

Coping Strategies for Job Search: Build a Support Group

In my blog I often speak to the importance of networking.  It is how people actually find jobs.  My seminal point about networking is that your goal is to build a team to help you land your next job.  Networking helps you spread your message, and capture opportunities that match your goals.  Your network provides many other benefits, none the least of which is the human contact which helps mitigate the stress associated with job search.  Within that team, I recommend that you have a subgroup, a core team, who you confer with more frequently.  Call it a support group for now.

Being in job search can be a lonely, frustrating place.  There is a certain amount of isolation created when you are without a regular place to go to work with other people. It is a time when dark thought can grip you, causing you to sink into a period of despair.  The best way to avoid that situation is to have an effective support group.  There are many models for support groups, but ultimately you want to assemble a group of people who have been in your situation, who have successfully navigated through job search, and who have an understanding of your particular career track.  Another way to describe these people is “peers.”

The support group that I recommend is one that will help you brainstorm options; assist in key elements of your search; provide emotional support and help mitigate the isolation factor.   A good job search support group will help you with problem solving, and motivation.   They will inspire you to meet all challenges put in your path.  Of the utmost importance, these people must hold you accountable for your actions.  In fact, this is the model for a Master Mind Group.  

The Master Mind concept  is hardly new.  In fact, it is ancient.  However, it was the 20^th century self-improvement guru Napoleon Hill who coined the phrase “Mastermind Alliance” in his book, “Think and Grow Rich,” published in 1937. Hill’s work, inspired by Andrew Carnegie, was the result of interviews he conducted with highly successful people.  One common thread he uncovered was that successful people relied on a core group of like-minded individuals who were helpful in goal-setting, coaching, and encouragement.  Hill spoke of a mastermind group as “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”  Using a Master Mind Group in your job search is another powerful source of leverage.

So, who should you include in your Master Mind Group?  I already made the point that your Master Mind group must be experienced in job search and familiar with your field.  They should be people who you would consider mentors. People you hold in high regard, whose opinion you will respect even when their counsel is difficult to hear.  Above all, they must be committed to play a prominent role in helping you with your search.

Employing the Master Mind Group concept in your job search is another powerful source of leverage.  Your group will help you become more effective in your search, while minimizing the isolation factor and mitigating stress.  You will likely want to keep this group working with you after you land that next job, ensuring your career success.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com

Coping Strategies for Job Search: Leverage

You have often heard that it is unwise to “put all of your eggs in one basket.”  I guess that would be part of a farmer’s risk management strategy.  Or you may have heard someone ask, “what is plan B, in case plan A doesn’t work out?”  Or, “what is your exit strategy if everything goes to hell?”  Understanding the risks associated with any endeavor and developing a mitigation plan is always a good practice.  Knowing that you have covered your risk can be comforting, lowering one’s stress level.   

I advise my candidates and coaching/mentoring clients to take a multi-pronged approach to find new employment.  Looking for a new job, in the same industry segment, performing the same function is the obvious place to begin.  Expanding one’s search into other industry segments and with emerging companies is highly recommended.  I also advise my candidates to explore other options such as consulting or taking on short term projects; and to consider starting their own business, including the purchase of a franchise.   An important point to consider is that the multiple prong approach is complimentary.  In other words, you exercise the same activities in each prong of attack; networking, sending out resumes, talking to prospective business associates, and analyzing opportunities.   Another term for this approach is leverage.

Pursuing multiple career paths has benefits one might not expect.  The analysis of a franchise opportunity or buying/starting an independent business is stimulating and broadens one’s thinking beyond their comfort zone.  It will lead to an expanded network which will reveal other opportunities.  Taking on consulting projects keeps one in the game and helps to maintain cash flow.  It is an excellent way to stay relevant and to prove one’s value to an employer, often leading to an offer of full time employment.  Multiple avenues of attack for the job seeker keeps the search interesting, will generate immediate cash flow, and mitigate stress.

Why You Should Pursue Multiple Search Strategies

·       Will make your search more interesting; reduces boredom and anxiety: 

·       Increases your options, shortens your search time.

·       Complimentary activities.

·       Not for Profit/Volunteering.

·       Giving back improves one’s sense of well being

·       Project work or short term .

·       Sharpens the saw.

Working with a “Not for Profit,” or doing volunteer work is another consideration.  The very nature of giving back to the community is fulfilling for most people.  These activities will place you in contact with other philanthropic people, broadening your network and potentially leading to new opportunities.  

Pursuing multiple employment strategies is particularly viable for the over 50 job seeker.  The world has changed.  In all likelihood, the job you just left has been eliminated, outsourced, or filled by a younger, less expensive manager.  All industries are restructuring, so your job may not exist at other companies in the same segment.  You must adapt to this new environment.  You have the benefit of experience and valuable skills.  Your goal is to find new opportunities to employ your skills and experience.  Coming to grips with this new reality will improve your prospects, shorten your search, and mitigate your stress.  A complete but manageable strategy with multiple lines of attack is the answer.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so please leave a comment.


Jim Weber, President
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com