Have you checked out The Ladders?!

Hello, everyone!  Sorry for the delay in posting - we've had some technical difficulties, as well as the end of the semester, which like you know, is never dull!

I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear the job search is still swinging!  On that note, have you heard of The Ladders?  It is a great portal to jobs AND job search info!

Here's a glimpse into what they've got going on!

If you're looking for a job or just looking for some tips on building yourself professionally, this is a great site, and their weekly emails are fantastic.

As always, feel free to leave your own job seeking tips! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Create the Life You've Always Imagined!

What Lies Ahead, Job Huntress! ... But, What Lies Within?

Here are a few stats on what to expect in our technology-driven world as a job applicant.

Huh.  That's a little intimidating, isn't it?  From a statistical standpoint, what are the chances that I am the one person who is offered the position? 1/1000... 0.001.  Pardon me for a moment as I panic!

Of course, these estimations do not take into account one of our most powerful weapons: Networking.  We've talked about it before, and we can all agree, it's a key point of differentiation in the job search.  It's all about landing the interview before you land the job, and you can secure an interview much more easily if you know someone within the company.

If you'll notice, only the first three stages are computer driven.  Good news for you!  With your strong network, you'll bypass those steps and go straight to a real-live human!  You've prepared and practiced your concise description of what you want out of a job and what you can offer!  You know what you can bring to the table that no one else can, and that makes you unique and different.  You will catch the eye (& ear) of any recruiter and position yourself to succeed!

Though the stats seem a little ... daunting, don't let them intimidate you. Remember how far you've come and how hard you've worked to get to this place!

"What lies ahead of you is nothing compared to what lies within you," right?  So, when the job search - or any challenge - gets tough, hang in there!  You're kind of a big deal, so don't forget that!

What are YOUR Magnificent Seven?

Related to the most recent post, here's a challenge posed by CPG Supergroup:

In seven words or less, can you describe what you do?  

(You cannot use the words "I" or "We.")  

That's quite a toughie, but give it a try - it's kind of fun!  And it's certainly great practice for your elevator speech or self-promotion sales pitch!

Check out the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) Supergroup on LinkedIn for some great networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions!

Risk Taking? NOT Overrated.

How's Your Sales Pitch?

I don't know about you, but the job search has taught me many lessons - many of which, I did not see coming!

For example, it is not as easy as it may appear to provide an eloquent, on-the-spot response to: "What kind of job are you looking for?"  Can you articulate your ideal job in 20 seconds or less?  Try it! It takes some serious thought!

You'd think it would be easy to rattle off an answer, particularly after submitting job applications, drafting customized cover letters, exchanging emails with friends and colleagues on the topic, and giving it plenty of thought, wouldn't you?  However, it has taken time and practice for me to craft an authentic and articulate description of what I'm looking for!

With this in mind, I wanted to share a few points on how to communicate your career objectives and how to present your best, most authentic self in a concise and enthusiastic way:

Practice your sales pitch so that you can concisely convey the most valuable assets you've got that others don't - your skills, talents, passion and individuality!  Just like any other sales opportunity, the keys to promoting yourself are preparation, relevance and authenticity!  

Dear Stress, Let's Break Up

Exams, end-of-term projects, outside consulting projects, boxing training, social life, and oh, yes, the all-important job search...  It makes me want to say

Can you relate?!  It's safe to say each of us balances more than enough (too much?) to fill those meager 24 hours a day, and let's not forget the time we must devote to our jobs and sleep, let alone family time or time for ourselves to regroup, get grounded, get our wits about us - you know what I mean.  

How in the world can we hope to do it all and do it all well?  

I've realized that occasionally we have to re-evaluate our coping strategies and here's what I've found to be helpful: 

• Prioritize
• Do the best you can with the time, energy & resources you have
• Don't hold yourself to an unreasonable standard of perfection because the yard stick we use to measure ourselves is much more stringent than the one others apply to our performance
• Find the time for what's really important, what lets you shine, what gives you the energy to keep on

Fact: Stress really does do damage to our bodies!  The chemicals we secrete because of prolonged stress levels encourage colds, fatigue, sugar cravings and other conditions that can prohibit us from achieving greatness.  

Yikes-ski!  It certainly explains why I crave sugar & caffeine when I'm anxious, and it definitely makes me want to change my approach to life.  

Which is why I was so intrigued when a friend of mine recently mentioned the 10-10-10 rule.  Have you heard of it?  

Basically, with any decision that causes you unrest, apply this test: 

What are the consequences of the choice I make in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years?   

Gives you perspective, doesn't it?  

After he shared this with me, it gave me pause and  

What will really have an impact on my life over the long-haul?  What is that important? Certainly not a 100 on an Econ exam or the "perfect" term paper.

That is not to say that I won't give it all I can, but I realized I cannot get an A on every test this semester.  Other things take priority.  I cannot make more hours in the day, and I cannot sacrifice my sleep or health in the pursuit of perfection.  Besides, perfection is subjective and totally overrated! Life is too short!  We must do the best we can with what we have, and realize it truly is good enough!