As I write this, I wonder how many of you have declared, “find a new job,” on your list of resolutions for 2010. And I wonder how many more of you wanted to write it down, but DIDN’T, simply because of fear around the economy and the job market. You’re not entirely wrong if the shaky employment situation has you hanging on to your desk and you’re job with all of your might. After all, the latest statistics tell us that ten percent of us are out of work.

But that does not mean you should lose an entire YEAR of your career path and your life. Cautious, appropriate steps CAN be taken to continue to build your success, no matter what statistics and news headlines say. Here are three steps to help you find a great new job in 2010.

#1. Resume Renovation. Yes, there’s no way around it, your resume MUST be updated and perhaps even thrown away altogether and begun anew. This is one area that I strongly suggest you all use an expert in order to create real success. There are some things you can learn on your own and / or succeed at in varying degrees – but the resume is not one of them. As a Member of the National Association of Resume Writers, I know that styles and formats are always changing and they DO matter; your choice of wording and phrasing ALSO matter. If you’re not finding success getting interviews, it’s quite likely that your resume (often the only introduction companies have of you) simply isn’t working any magic on your behalf. Contact me at cp@palmierecareerservices.com to begin an effective resume renovation for 2010.

#2. Networking. Yes, there it is again. Networking probably comes up at least five times a day for most of us – either on TV, by email, with our friends and colleagues, etc., etc. But the truth is there’s simply no way around the fact that MOST career connections and new jobs come from recommendations and / or networking in one way or another. Let me offer one quick way to create more networking opportunities for job seekers. Consider joining a Meetup Group in your area, in your career field of choice. So if you are a VP of Marketing in Pharmaceuticals, but really want to move into advertising, go to http://www.Meetup.com and search out the groups for advertising professionals in your area. Don’t forget to bring business cards to the event that are NOT from your current (or past) jobs.

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Let’s face it, more and more companies are turning to online applications to fill their vacancies. This can be a difficult and frustrating experience for those of you who a) never needed a resume to find a job years ago and b) those of you who are not computer savvy. Some of you may even feel that it’s better to send a hard copy of your resume and cover letter because it has a better look, the paper is nice, and after all, you spent a lot of time putting your best skills and assets down on paper. You might also think that your paper resume will land on someone’s desk who is actually responsible for the hiring of the job you are applying to, rather than ending up in a database in the stratosphere.

Quite simply, this isn’t the case. Today’s companies no longer want paper files. They want to become paperless offices and have everything available at the touch of a button. In my own staffing firms, we like all resumes emailed to us. That way it takes 2 minutes to input a candidate into our database and connect their resume. It also saves time having to scan documents into the system. Plus word documents can be changed and updated, whereas scanned documents cannot be.

In fact, many large companies no longer accept paper resumes for open positions at all. Today, they ask applicants to register and build a profile on their career website. Once and only once can an applicant apply for positions. Remember, once you’re in their system, you can often apply for other jobs or new openings with the simple click of a button. Before you send your resume or build your profile, review the company’s policy for applying for positions; you want to make sure to follow the rules they put forth. There are benefits to the applicant as well, of course. With the click of a mouse, it is faster to apply for positions than ever before, and you don’t have to worry your resume got lost in the mail or that you are one of 500 resumes sitting on a desk that will never even be reviewed.

Once a job seeker fills out the online application and profile, they are in the system for not only the job they are applying, but also for positions that may open up down the road. Companies use databases to find and attract talent, and they use specific words and key phrases when they search for specific jobs they have open. For example if a hospital is looking for someone with medical background they will have a code that reads: medical, etc. They will then search their library of online applicants for that code or for key words that indicate the skillset they need.

Part 2

#1 Work with a Career Coach - There’s honestly no debate about what the best investment to make if you’re out of work – it’s to work with a Career Coach. With today’s online technology, you can literally work with the BEST job coaches from the comfort of your living room. Through skype, webinars and teleseminars, you can often get the absolute best of a coach’s services and avoid travel time (and fees) altogether. Remember, working with a job coach really only works if the client is dedicated to the assignments that the coach offers. Also, keep in mind that a job coach does not GET you a job – rather, they help a client explore options and make sure that their marketing materials are written to represent them in the best way possible. They review and help the client to have the best resume, cover letter, thank you letters, etc. A great career coach will also walk a client through mock interviews to help them stand out in the crowd and be prepared and confident..

#2 Have a Professional Resume Renovation - The next best investment a job searcher can make is to have a professional resume consultation and renovation done by a great resume writer – hopefully a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. Be sure to provide the BEST information you can, for instance, what are your accomplishments at a job – not necessarily what you did day after day. Also be sure to have your core strengths at your fingertips to be written into your resume. Remember, “responsible for” and “duties included” should never be on a resume. It should be all about the added value you brought to each company you worked with.

#3 DISC Assessment – The DISC assessment is a tool that allows you to examine your behavior and your reactions to others, and to ascertain your best assets. It allows a person to adapt their behavior to create positive outcomes, which becomes a VERY valuable tool for choosing a career course. Choosing next steps based on your personal STRENGTHS, instead of where you “think” you belong is a million-dollar life changer. Many resume writers will also have a client take the DISC assessment so that they can get a quick sense of the person’s voice and what is important to them.

#4 Add a New Certification or Skill Set - This is an excellent way to “add” to your credentials and perceived value. You can find such courses at community colleges, trade schools, and online, as well as professional associations. You can also look into webinars that might be offered by leaders in your field – or the field you would LIKE to go into. Also, consider joining professional associations that would add to your versatility and professionalism. Often, an organization will let you add their logo to your resume and website once you belong. If you’re an administrative assistant, for instance, you can join IVAA.org (which is the International Virtual Assistant’s Association). IVAA offers a myriad of online courses and certifications for Administrative Assistants. You can find a host of professional organizations by simply doing a Google search on your industry.

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There are some very obvious signs that can indicate you’re in the wrong job, but often, we avoid admitting those even to ourselves. Yes, the job market is tough right now, but job satisfaction cannot be overlooked. After all, we spend too much time at our jobs to be unhappy every day. That doesn’t mean someone who’s not satisfied should march into their boss’s office and quite tomorrow morning, but it IS something we want to look at closely. Start by asking yourself these four questions:

1. Do I avoid talking about my job when I’m out with friends?
2. Do I hate getting up in the morning to go to work?
3. Am I always (or often) tired and drained at work – in a way that says more than “hard work”?
4. Do I find that I can’t wait until the close of work day?

It’s good to look take some time to look at job satisfaction overall. Because when you think about it, we spend more hours at work than we do awake at home. As a result we should make sure we LOVE what we do. If we love what we do we don’t think of it as work. You could start with the job that you’re in by asking for more responsibility, or by supporting interesting projects or working with other great teams.

If you’re sure that the place you work is not going to make you satisfied, be sure to stop and determine what your core issues are. Don’t just run out and start a job search without having a good due diligence in place. It’s very easy to just move from one unhappy spot to another in life. But if we take the time to really assess WHAT we don’t like, what we wish was different, what our behavior traits are, and what our core goals are, we can make a change that REALLY builds a better life. Take the time to decide what would make you HAPPY.

• Is it a job closer to home?
• Fewer hours at work?
• Or maybe it’s more hours and more money.
• Perhaps it’s a more creative industry.

Once you’ve determined some of those factors, you can begin to weigh your options. Knowing what you DO want is the foundation of a GOOD job effort. It’s very easy, after all, to spend a LOT of time on a job effort that ISN’T good. One that leaves you more unhappy than the job or career you hated, believe me. So getting things together the RIGHT way is an investment well worth doing. There are two things to embrace while you’re considering what direction to take with your job search: 1) Be networking all the time, and 2) Keep your resume updated with the latest information. Just in case a wonderful opportunity comes up. (In fact, I always say that the RIGHT time to update your resume is the day you start a new job.)

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Being out of work can be overwhelming. It can be disheartening, discouraging and downright terrifying. Probably the best investment a person can make, once they find themselves out of work (or if they’re simply looking for a new career choice), is to work with a job coach who specializes in mock interviews. In fact, it’s worthwhile to be sure that the career coach you choose actually specializes in interviews – and perhaps is even a Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC).

Why are mock interviews important? Well, let’s look at a few common situations.

1. A mid-level manager finds themselves out of work after fifteen years with the same company. One would think that fifteen years of service at one job would be an asset, right? Well, of course it is. But what isn’t an asset is that they haven’t been on an interview in fifteen years. And let’s face it, EVERYING leading up to the interview is just prep work. The hundreds of hours reading job postings, working on and sending out resumes, pounding pavement, going to networking events – all of this is simply setting the stage for the interview. THAT is where you need to bring your best stuff – and sadly, there’s no second chances.

2. A top-level sales manager finds himself being called for interview after interview, but not getting even one offer. Yes, one might think it’s just the economy, but let’s face it, even at our worst unemployment rate (a whopping 10%), that still leaves 90% of us employed. And a great sales leader shouldn’t be getting NO job offers. A job coach specializing in mock interviews can work with a candidate on subtle things that might be tripping him or her up, like body language, tone of voice and how they answer the various questions that come up in an interview. It’s not uncommon for a candidate to go on and on, in fact, and never really answer a question at all. These are some of the areas that a job coach certified in interview techniques can help a candidate work through.

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People often think that December is the wrong time to find work, because “who leaves a job at the holidays” or because “bonuses are pending” but that’s definitely not the truth. Far too often, people decide to put their job hunt on hold between Thanksgiving and New Year's, but that's a huge mistake. Although new budgets often take effect in January, HR teams receive job requisitions for budgeted new spots much earlier than that, and it’s quite likely that waiting until January might mean that someone else got the job of your dreams.

It’s also very likely that you might be one of the few qualified applicants for a great job when you’re interviewing in December, simply because other candidates think it's a bad time to hunt. After all, positions become open for a variety of reasons: people find better opportunities or they move or even get promoted. With the economy starting to recover, more work equals new jobs, but this is definitely a case of being in the right spot at the right time.
There are also many personal benefits to continuing a job search at this time of year, such as avoiding holiday depression simply by being dressed each day and feeling a sense of worth. Let’s also remember that being active is powerful – and being home depressed, simply waiting for the calendar to change to January can feel really powerless. There are also many hidden opportunities to being out there job hunting. Even if you’re not chosen, for instance, you might be offered temp work or freelance assignments, which can lead to networking opportunities and of course INCOME. And we know that someone who is already employed, even in a temporary capacity, is a far more attractive hire than someone who isn’t.

There are also some very unique opportunities in December -- holiday parties, for instance, are a great time for networking. You never know who will be there or what opportunities they might have opening up at their company – so be sure to remain professional and poised at all times – this isn’t the time to take risks or be the life of the party! And definitely have business cards with your contact info in your pocket.

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Although there’s no way to be 100% prepared for a job interview, a candidate can always feel confident and knowledgeable. Quite honestly, that comes from only one thing: preparation. The BEST form of preparation is to spend the time to learn about the company in question and to mock interview using as many common questions as possible. Investing in a career coach to go through this process is something EVERY candidate should do the day that they find out they’ve lost their job. This will keep them on track, teach them vital interview skills, and quite possibly get them a job MUCH faster than someone who doesn’t have all of these tools properly in place. Having answers prepared for the common interview questions is vital to a serious candidate.

#1. What are you looking for? Don’t miss the opportunity in this question! Be ready to talk about the job that would be appropriate for you and how your skills would translate to the new employer. Be careful NOT to talk about opportunities for advancement – you could talk yourself right out of the job you are interviewing for. Companies want to know that you have many assets and skills and an enthusiastic attitude about your job, but they don’t want to hear that the position at hand is a “stepping stone” to something greater. It’s far too easy to unintentionally imply that their company is also a stepping stone – or a quick stop while you find the “right” job.

#2. Aren’t you overqualified for this position? This is a tough one. Definitely be enthusiastic about the job and proud of your expertise; don’t downplay your accomplishments. Instead, share what makes you interested in the job at hand at this point in your career. For instance, elaborate about applying your expertise to a new industry or talk about the upside of working in a smaller company – or a larger one. Be VERY careful to leave out any tone of desperation!

#3. What’s your biggest weakness? Definitely do not answer this with a self-deprecatory statement about yourself. This is not the place to be humble. Keep your answer brief and be sure to put feature your “weakness” in a good light. For example, “I’m very much a perfectionist, but I use that to always make sure my team’s needs are fulfilled quickly and completely.”

#4. What are your salary requirements? Be prepared! This question should NOT leave you caught off guard. Always try to postpone answering this question until a job offer is made. If you used a staffing agent, let them handle this for you. But do be prepared and know what the salaries are in your industry (you can find this out at SimplyHired.com and Salary.com). If you don’t know the budget that the company has available, and the interviewer persists, you can simply ask, “What salary range are you working with at this time?” If you’re seriously being considered for the job, it’s quite likely that they will tell you what their constraints are.

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Let’s face it, if you’re out of work, the hundreds of hours spent reading job postings, working on and sending out resumes, pounding pavement, going to networking events, etc., etc., ALL of that effort is really about ONE thing: the interview.

The interview (either live or by phone) is where you need to bring your best stuff – and to be quite honest, there’s no second chance to get it right. So let’s jump in and cover the top three questions everyone needs to be ready for.

#1. Tell me about yourself. This is usually the FIRST question that comes up and the FASTEST way to end an interview. First of all, be sure to make your answer short and sweet and try to focus on experiences and goals that relate to your prior work experiences. We don’t need to know that you like to canoe or bake. If you can, make the effort try to tailor your answer to the specific job you’re applying for. If you’ve been in the workforce for a long time, resist the desire to stress that fact. It’s much more important to focus on your skills, achievements and how you add value. Be sure to emphasize your personal attributes as well, but only if the interviewer seems open to hear more – stress great assets, like flexibility and a positive attitude.

#2. Why are you looking for a job? Be sure to keep this answer brief and straightforward. For example, “My company was forced to downsize.” Avoid negative statements about yourself, your work, the company you left, or your ability to get along with your team. I share this quite often, but never criticize former employers or coworkers. What do you say if you really hated where you worked? You can say that you simply did not find the opportunities that you were looking for. It’s also important to have a few goals at your fingertips, in case the interviewer asks you to expand on that thought.

#3. Why have you been out of work for so long? This question can come in a variety of ways, but responding to gaps in your employment history is definitely a tricky one, especially with the economy being so tough. People end up out of work for a variety of reasons, but they’re not ALL downsizing. So first of all, be sure to be honest. Next, make every effort to speak confidently about your experiences during gaps in your employment. Some of those efforts can surely transfer to on-the-job skills. For instance, if you were a caregiver, you may have managed complex financial issues. If you volunteered while looking for work, you might have worked with diverse groups of people and on flexible schedules – and definitely talk about your achievements. If you managed a huge annual fundraiser for a local charity while you were out of work, that speaks VOLUMES about your organizational skills, your work ethic and your integrity.

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