motivation

Now that we are solidifying our resume and obtaining a thirst for a job search, we are ready to start reaching out to those around us and networking with them because every little bit of information that those in our network contain will continue adding up and go a long way for job searches and/or career advancement.

When all else fails in the land of unemployment or career miserableness, I highly recommend looking into that network of yours. Friends, colleagues or acquaintances may have seen us at our best and our worst, but they usually know us better than anyone. We need to start utilizing this power.

Chris, what network are you talking about? I don’t know anyone in Career Services at NYU? Well, friend, it is not the end of the world because thanks to the Internet we have the world at our finger tips. (yawn).

Networking is not about what you know; or what they know but it’s about WHO you know. Yeah, I know we have been hearing this a myriad of times before but let’s take a moment to begin thinking about it like this:

A) Do you still talk to your friends who you grew up with?
B) Did you hold a job in high school or college or university?
C) Did you do any extracurricular activities including sport; music; knitting; etc?
D) Where does your immediate and extended family work?

The list can go on and on but those are just some starting points for Networking.

The simple yet more challenging rule of networking is that networking is not using and abusing relationships or stalking friends via Social Media. Additionally, we must also not become lazy because know we have the resources for successful networking at hand. Nothing good ever came out of being lazy.

Despite what we may believe, we have all been accomplishing many things in our lives that have been exposing us to a large subset of individuals. Some of those folks can help us; guide us; or at least point us in the right direction. That is networking, friends.

Ingredients for Successful Networking:

1 computer or laptop or cell phone device with Internet access
1 Wifi internet connection
Fully finished Linkedin Profile (SOCIAL Media aspect)
Local paper or business section (In-person aspect)
HOURS upon HOURS of time
1/2 cup mentality
1/2 cup of MOTIVATION
1/2 cup of communication skills
1/2 cup of patience

No, there is not a perfect recipe for networking but there are many ways to get out there and make something happen. In regards to making something happen, you’ll notice how I been including both in-person networking AND Social Media Networking. We mustn’t forget that both exist and that BOTH help a person land their next gig, not one or the other. Yes, there are instances of a person obtaining a position through Twitter. While this is a great venue for job applications, it is not always the best venue for networking.

You can find additional information on online AND offline networking groups via these websites:

Linkedin Groups
MeetUP
Company websites
Local newspapers

Even if your networking involves a simple follow-up e-mail or voicemail message, it can be the small pebble that may just destroy that career Dam. Do not bombard a friend or employer with e-mails or phone calls because the last thing that any of us need is to be inundated with MORE e-mail, so Patience is our best friend.

Whether we like it or not, by enabling and accepting the very virtue of Patience will make networking that much more attainable.

Networking 101

HELP! UNEMPLOYMENT! I am Unemployed. What do I do now? Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. While being unemployed or facing unemployment is a very scary and daunting moment in one’s life, it is not the end of the world. On many levels, Job hunting is much like dating. You win some, you lose some but when it comes down to it, you learn more about your true wants and needs in the end.

Just like dating and meeting people for the first time, unemployment or the single life, can open many doors and venues that you may not have thought of whilst in your last position (relationship).

Jobs come in many different shapes, sizes and skill sets. They also have different salaries, schedule structures, corporate structures and employee perks.

You gotta know what you want in a job before you can make it happen. Culture Beat: Mr. Vain “I know what I want and I want it now”

1) Education. Despite the high costs of this sector furthering your education is never a bad thing as long as you are researching and understanding the short and long-term benefits and negatives to education. Yes, you are unemployed and money is tight but this could be a GOOD boost to your experience.

2) Career transition. Maybe you have reached that moment with your job where you have had enough? It’s okay, this happens sometimes and you are not at fault but in this time of a slowed lifestyle, try to focus on what you want to do next and how you can attain that goal.

3) Network. But don’t beg.

DON’T. Sit and complain about your job situation. Keep in mind that just because you are unemployed does not mean EVERYONE is unemployed. The last thing you want to become is that guy/girl who never stops complaining and gives the ‘I’m poor and unemployed’ sob story. We get it. Get over it. It’s life and make something happen out of it. Complaining will not get you a job.

DO. Ask friends how they are doing and politely see if they know of any openings in their company. Some may ask for your resume and forward it along, others may not feel so inclined. Try and stay as happy and positive as you can. I repeat no one needs another Debbie Downer in their life.

Don’t Be a Debbie Downer with Unemployment!

Don’t Be a Debbie Downer with Unemployment! http://cdn.business2community.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/debbie_downer.jpg

4) Too much unemployment is NOT a good thing. Despite what many people have yet to realize about job hunting is that the moment you become unemployed, your career clock is ticking. This clock determines the probability as to how quickly you will be hired again. The longer you allow this clock to tick, the more challenging the search will become ESPECIALLY if you wait a year or longer before you hop into the job market again.

Yes, I know that there are SOME people out there who get lucky and have the ability to pull some strings but most of us do not have such luck and when an employer sees a huge unemployment period they question a person’s motivation/drive and work ethic.

Keep this in mind before your two-year hibernation.

5) Learn a New Hobby! Get yourself out there and try something new. Anything. Ballet, magic, architecture, travelling, bear wrestling. Yes, it is important to spend a large chunk of your time finding work and honing in on job opportunities but this gives you ample time to find yourself again and discover new things about yourself. Keep it light, keep it simple. As humans, once we stop learning, we stop living. As a Ghandi writes, ““Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Seize the day! THIS.IS.UNEMPLOYMENT!

THIS IS JOB HUNTING! — THIS. IS. UNEMPLOYMENT!!! http://www.bwmag.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/This-is-Sparta.jpg

Most of all what I would like to reiterate in this post is to be consistent. Job hunting IS a full-time job and it requires consistency to really put a dent in finding what you want.

Regardless of your career level, the state of being unemployed is a tough position to be in but with the right attitude and motivation it can propel you forward in your career.

Have you ever been unemployed? How did you go about obtaining your next job? What did you succeed with in your job search? What were your struggles? Feel free to share! There are MANY of us out there who are dying to know because, well, quite frankly we are very high in unemployment numbers right now.

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