“Eight Ways to Be a Smart Job Seeker” by Greg Olsten

We are all familiar with the hardships involved in being an unemployed job seeker.  Not only is it frustrating and depressing when you can’t find a job, but the feelings become magnified as the length of time unemployed increases.

Rather than be depressed over what you can’t have today, career expert Elena Bajic, founder and CEO of Ivy Exec, is telling job seekers to think of the jobs they can have tomorrow. Bajic is offering eight tips on how to become smarter job seekers and be better equipped for the future job market. Here are her suggestions:

1. Take a hard look at your finances: If you’re currently searching for a job or are about to start looking for a job, immediately look at your finances to see where you can curb costs and expenses.

2. Take inventory & do a full and honest self analysis: Take time to understand who you are and what you can bring to the job table. Really understand your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Set realistic and achievable goals and review them daily: Make your time count when it comes to finding the right job. Make a specific to-do or checklist each day to make sure your job search is productive. Set goals such as “I need to make at least five calls today” or “I’m going to reach out / network with four people today.”

4. Treat your job search like you’d treat a job: Finding the right job requires the same commitment as one would commit to a full-time job. 

5. Network to build relationships, not to find a job: Networking is about building relationships with people who can connect you with people who can help you find a job.

6. Focus on self improvement: For those who are currently unemployed, dedicate time during your job search to acquire new skills and to improve your candidacy. Use this time as an opportunity to build on your existing skills and experience. Make your time fruitful.

7. Develop a job search with professional help: if you can afford it, hire a professional who can offer objective advice and help anchor you so that you’d avoid making common job search mistakes (ie. take the first job offer that comes through, start interviewing with any company that shows interest even if it is the not right fit, etc.) .

8. Stay positive – Interviewers can read negativity pretty quickly, and nobody wants to hire a negative person. By following the first seven tips, you will be a more confident job seeker with more focus, and with a clear picture of the right job that’s the right fit.

Greg Olsten is an Associate in Professional Services at IvyExec.com.
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"I feel like I let my family down.” by Dr. John Manni, Psychologist

I often hear this from clients and people who attend my workshops.  Many will say things like, “They counton me for everything,” “We can’t afford to do the things I’d promised,” “I’m a failure if I can’t give my family everything they need.”

Before you bury yourself in blame and guilt, it is important to evaluate your thinking.  Today there are approximately 14 million unemployed.  Are they all failures?  If you want to help your family, you will have to start by getting your thinking on the right track. It is more accurate to realize you are caught up in tough times beyond your control.  Think realistically.  “This will be tough, but not impossible.”  “As a family we can survive.”  If you take a look at other posts in our blog you will find lots of tips that can help with your negative feelings.  Most importantly, remember a family is a system.  What affects one member will affect the others.  The adjustment of family members will, to some extent, depend on your how well you adjust.

Start by discussing the situation with your spouse.  Your feelings should be part of the discussion.  Honesty is the best policy.  Trying to hide your feelings will not work and will color your attempts to communicate.  Share with your wife/husband your job search strategy.  She/he may have good suggestions.  Make a plan to deal with finances and set up a time to talk to your children. An important part of your discussion should also include what your family can do for fun.  Make a list of activities that are free or relatively inexpensive.  Activities might include hiking, renting a movie, visiting state parks, etc.  Remember, whatever you do need not cost a lot of money.  The quality of time spent together is what counts.

When approaching children, tailor what you say to their age. Yhe younger the child, the simpler you should mak the explanation.  It is not necessary to get into all the nuts and bolts, even for teenagers.  Simply stating the facts is best.  Of course, answer their questions honestly.

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"Unemployment Stress and the Holidays"

We hear from many unemployed people that holidays are exceptionally stressful, especially those associated with gift giving.  There are many reasons why this is understandable.  It is hard to be joyful when one hasn’t gotten over having lost one’s job.  Secondly, it’s hard to feel generous when regular income has been greatly reduced, if not eliminated.  Realistically, a new position may not appear before the New Year.  Focusing solely on your lack of resources will only amplify your level of stress.  Frankly, family and friends understand your situation and would prefer that you not dig yourself into a deeper hole.  Those close to you will most likely feel good knowing that you are not fretting away this holiday season.

Experience is sometimes the best teacher.  Many of you may recall from older relatives who lived through The Great Depression, holidays were no less joyous when a typical gift might have been an orange or a bag of candy.  Maybe this is a year when you re-think gift giving and come up ideas that don’t put a crimp in your wallet.

Here are some examples:

1.     Make some CDs of your favorite music that others might enjoy.

2.     Has someone admired one of your possessions you no longer need?  Imagine how appreciative the recipient would be if you gave them something you personally valued.

3.     Create a photo album of memorable moments shared with a loved one.

4.     There are tons of things that can come out of your kitchen like baked goods, preserves, pickled veggies, or your favorite sauces.

5.     How about creating gift certificates good for car washes, household chores, or baby-sitting?

We’d like to hear your suggestions.  Not only for economical gifts, but for ways you can avoid the holiday blues.

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