I’ve been hit lately with lots of people looking for a job — needing help with finetuning a resume or actually securing leads. One gal was among the last to quit her job out of a string of other employees that left the company.    Says a lot about the management of the company - doesn’t it?  But, this gal’s departure was probably expected and somewhat prompted by the management just to “clean house” once they realized they had a “walk out” in progress.   

 Smart, but disillusioned, angry, and out of focus, this gal is still struggling to find her “next step.”  She had planned her “escape,” but didn’t consider that she might be parting sooner rather than later.  She hadn’t either begun her “plan” or didn’t realize she needed one before she was already on her way out the door.  This was a case where new owners presented a management style that was diverse from the previous owners’ management style.  The previous owners had total loyalty and buy-in from their staff — hence the progressive walk-out when older staff didn’t agree with the new owners.  Without time to formulate a good plan - she did what everyone does in a situation like this — she had a knee-jerk reaction — she decided to look for a change.  She wanted to put this experience completely away from her.  I fault no one who feels the need for a career change, but like anything this “big” in your life — it does require a plan. 

Most people don’t think to plan their job hunt well ahead– they just throw the resume out there and see where it lands.  They go “job fishing” versus “job hunting.”  I’m too much of a control freak to leave something that important up to the “job gods.”   I’m not saying spontaneous networking might not produce a dream job or that checking the want ads might not get you the kind of job you wish — but putting a little effort into planning your “objective” based on what you know you need (and don’t need) in an employment situation is a good first step in creating a plan.  And creating a plan helps the mental and emotional process — whether you’ve been couch sitting for a while or are departing a long-held position.  It is a positive step. 

Here’s more advice:  once an objective is in place — then get some help in preparing a professional-looking resume.  Another pair of eyes will make a world of difference.  Now you can work on getting some leads using people from your network who either are decision-makers or have connections to decision-makers within the industry or occupational field of your “objective.”   If you are currently employed — work them quietly and carefully.  Do everything in your power to give yourself plenty of lead time to make a career transition and try your best not to burn a bridge upon your departure.  Should that happen — don’t bring it up — don’t talk about it out in public.  Should you find yourself suddenly without job — don’t be seen in public angry — or like the rug just got ripped out from under you.  Don’t let yourself look like you are on a long vacation.  Look impressive — own yourself — step above any issues from the past — learn from it and let it go — be and look professional like you are ready to walk into the right position at a moment’s notice.  Keep your resumes with you.  Assume even casual conversations could, in fact, be preliminary interviews.  I have had it happen with myself and clients.  Hopefully, you won’t find yourself in a forced job-hunting situation, but now you know that the first order of business is to create a plan. 

This post is for all of you out there who are into direct sales of some sort.  Most sales types are in need of customers/clients these days.  When the local Chamber of Commerce did a workshop with their members that related to producing an “ideal e-mail campaign” to stir up business, I was privvy to seeing some of the e-mails that were flying around (as I was a recipient of several).  Loved their tenacity and determination.  Some of what I didn’t love:  they had a difficult time getting past the traditional marketing mindset.  They mass or blanket e-mailed members of their network.  Some of them didn’t get the basic point of writing a perfect e-mail, which has to do with getting really clear about what/who you want before you ask — and that’s not as easy as you’d think.  When you sell insurance, you may be thinking “I want referrals to people who need health insurance.”  How simple is that - right?  Wrong.  How do I know who needs insurance?  But, if you tell me you want to hook up with college grads who are just getting started with their careers or getting married, then I might be able to pull up a name or two. 

I have some thoughts on this subject that extend beyond blog space.  If you’d like some free pointers, check out my Squidoo Lens entitled How to ask for Help — the Perfect E-mail Campaign at http://www.squidoo.com/howtoaskforhelp 

Yes, I’m one of those who makes resolutions each year, but I’ve actually learned a little trick or two to help me achieve success with resolutions.  If you, too, are a resolution-writer, try something different — get real!  Instead of vowing to lose 20 pounds this year, resolve to meet with a dietician, seek a diet-buddy, or sign up for a fitness class.  The action-oriented approach makes a real difference, because it isn’t some generalized subject that you need to address sometime this year.  You can book this action as a step to take — making your resolution more likely to happen.  Also, it helps to get really specific.  So, instead of writing a resolution that says “look for a new job,” your resolution would be to “define desired position and hire a resume-writer to boost your resume.”  Since we all know that this time of year is the most popular season for people to reconsider their careers and jobs, a well-developed resolution around this subject will be key.  If you really-really want a new work direction in 2008, then your resolution needs to sound more like a plan than a “note to self.”  But, changing a career or job is a major transition and can trigger other transitions in your personal life.  It might mean making a location or lifestyle change.  Get ready for shifts in personal relationships, and, how about a little bit of tension or anxiety within yourself.  That clarity of intention is going to be important — so spend a little time thinking about what you hate about your current job or career and what you’d like in a new one.  Decide if YOU have some personal issues to resolve before you need to be making any big changes.  Then consider some employers you know might be ideal for you in your new quest.  Talk to people in your network — lots of social networking going on during the holidays - perfect time to do some info gathering without giving yourself away.  People love talking about themselves and their jobs.  Then, get busy, and write up a few really strong resolutions that will support you this year — not only in your work life — but in your personal life as well.  I’ve developed a New Year’s Resolution Guide that is an 11-page workbook that you can get a little preview of at — see www.marykurek.com  It’s part of my 2008 Make it Happen Kit for Creative Entrepreneurs.  Happy Holidays.

Here are ten things that I’ve discovered as both parent and founder of youth leadership programs that will increase student success as they prepare for college.  Please read and give to your student:1.       You are not making a life commitment with your chosen career-path right now, so relax.  Did you know that many students change their major up to 3 times before graduating college?  Some universities report that as much as 38% of their enrollees apply as “undecided.”  Don’t push yourself into declaring a major right away if you aren’t sure.  It is often better not to declare a major right away and enter what some universities call “first-year student programs.”  Your classes will concentrate on getting basic requirements out of the way while you get used to college life and consider your options.  2.      You should have a high school resume. Writing a resume of your accomplishments and involvements in high school (and keeping them updated) will add to the smooth application process for scholarships, leadership/academic awards, clubs, college, internships, and part time jobs.  3.      You must take responsibility for college scholarships. Don’t leave it up to your parents or your Guidance Counselor to inform you of all of the scholarship opportunities for which you are eligible.  Be pro-active in researching them and acquiring the materials.  If you have an interest and strong grades in a particular field, such as science, then talk with the head of that department about whether or not there are scholarships for you.  4.      Get to know some decision-makers.  Decision-makers are people who can hire, be a good and reputable reference for you, and can make things happen with a phone call.  In your world, the adult decision-makers that you know are mostly teachers.  You must now seek out people who can serve you beyond high school.  These decision-makers will be business owners, local government and civic leaders, and board members of local organizations (that award scholarships).   Ask your parents and teachers to introduce you to some.5.      By your junior year, if you have not participated in some fairly significant community-wide volunteer work, you could be risking your college application.  I appreciate the value of participating in high school sports, band, and other involvements that support a school, but these can be very commitment heavy and not necessarily application-boosting.  If nothing about these involvements matches up with your career interests, then you might consider doing something more in line with those interests in your junior and senior year.  I recommend considering an internship or creating a volunteer opportunity that gels with your career interests.  6.      You must educate yourself on the environments associated with career paths that you like.  Pick at least 3 career path environments to visit so that you can get a feel for the nature of the work, the space, the compensation, and the satisfaction drivers.  This is simple:  if you are interested in radiology, find yourself a radiologist that will let you visit that environment7.      Your final summer job before college should be a resume builder.    I’m not saying that you can’t have a little fun before you hit the books hard, but make this job count in terms of bucks and work.  If you already have an idea about your career path, seek a job that relates to it on some level.  This is not something you’re likely to find in the newspaper ads – you’re going to need to make connections to set it up.  Ask for help from your teachers, family members, and those decision-makers you’ve been collecting.8.      College isn’t anything like high school.  Get your mind prepared.  Aside from moving from home for a while, you have to consider that you might be without a vehicle for your first year (some colleges outright forbid it).  You’ll be living with a stranger as a roommate.  (I advise not to attempt to room with your best friend – it rarely ever works out, and when it doesn’t, it can ruin a friendship.)  For the most part, your classes will be huge and your professors could care less if you show up or not…but the university does.  If you don’t keep a certain grade point average, you can well be uninvited back to the university the next semester.  It happened to my son.  Prepare for temptations and distractions of all kinds.  You will live by the sound of an alarm clock, learn to eat on the run, will be doing your own laundry, and walking a lot.  Start disciplining yourself now in time management and break in a good pair of “kicks.”9.      You need to be realistic about maintaining high school relationships.  You have to know that the responsibilities that you will have when you get to college will take over a good bit of your waking time.  Friends are important, and you will rely on them for support – especially during your first year away.  But, realize that you will be making new friends, as well.  You need to open space for this to occur.  My advice is to talk about your college plans now and again with your friends.  Let them know that you plan to keep in touch as often as you can, but before everyone heads off to college, you’d like to plan a going-away get-together…that sort of signifies a parting of the ways.  10.  Your ability to network with the right types of people is the #1 skill that will create long-term success.  If you can get past the perception of embarrassment and fear of reaction or rejection…and make connections with people who can help you advance your goals, there is almost nothing that you cannot accomplish.  If you were able to walk up to a business owner, shake his hand, tell him of your interest in his line of work, and ask him a few serious questions, you will have impressed the socks off of him.  Adults know how hard it is for you to do something like this – that is why when we meet a young person who can network like this, it makes us want to do things for you, like introduce you to the head of an awards committee, make a phone call to an employer on your behalf, and offer to work out a part-time job for you.    This list is a shortened version.  The expanded version of this and another free article entitled “12 Things Every College Student Should Know Before They Graduate” is available at http://www.resumehowtoguide.com

Get ready — the holidays are coming.  What does that mean?  If you are not so happy with the boss — thinking you are hitting burn out with the job — ready for a change or so forth — this is the season for significant change.  The why is up for expert discussion — but most say that the holidays allow for extra vacation time whereby one gets the added hours to process thoughts.  Others say that the social networking allows for people to talk about new job opportunities, share suggestions, inspire those sick of the status quo, and motivate fence-sitters primed for a career leap.  Over a nog — you will learn about John’s great company that has an opening that interests you.  You’ll learn about Sue’s part time business that allows her to take vacations to the Florida Keys every year.  While munching sausage balls over at Kandy and Jack’s Holiday Open House, you’ll wander out by their hot tub and go “Hmnnn — what would like be like if I ….”  Yes — tis the season for the job fairy.  So, it is important to pay attention to your feelings this time of year and to take note of those you meet at social gatherings.  Here are a few tips to help you out if you are getting visited by a persistent job fairy telling you “you deserve better:”  1)  Update your resume!  If you need help — there are a lot of good tips sites out there — and I have a resume template site, myself.  All the do’s and don’ts built right in.  2)  No matter if you are thinking of departing a current job or not, keep in mind the thought that you don’t want to burn any bridges.  Don’t tell anybody of your thoughts or plans or misgivings about the job or anyone at the company.  You may be sorry otherwise.  3) Collect business cards of people of interest at social functions and immediately (when your alcohol haze clears) jot down any note that will be a memory jog on the back of the card for follow up later.  Then, follow up in a reasonable time-frame.  If the subject of connection relates to job-hunting or career advice, ask for tips, suggestions, ideas, etc. if you feel discretion is honored.  If anyone asks you for a copy of your resume — get it to them as a hard-copy first.  E-mailed copies can get circulated too quick and in mass, which could damage your chances, unless you are already unemployed.  4)  Look for people at parties who are:  decision makers — higher-ups in a company who know about upcoming vacancies, connectors — people like Realtors, Ministers, Direct-sellers, independent sales pros, etc. who need to network for a living and know of local hirings/firings, etc., and people who seem really happy and confident as they can offer a wealth of insight, advice, and motivation.  Take it for what it is worth.  5)  If you are a bit shy, ask your host/hostess in advance to tap someone to introduce you around if this is a new crowd.  Or let her/him know you could be scoping out new job possibilities and ask for direction on who you should cozy up to.  6)  Google anyone whose card you return with that offers you substantial leads or even an opportunity.  You want to know as much as possible about anyone who is approaching you.  Trust me — you may find an IRS problem or law suit pop up that could save you lots of frustration.  7) Have fun and lighten up.  You in your most relaxed state will naturally attract people to you and could open up all kinds of possibilities.  Happy Ideal Networking. 

This morning I was watching Good Morning America and was particularly interested in Dr. Timothy Johnson’s report on how job stress contributes to heart problems (potentially, heart attacks). Apparently, enough stress can cause more than one heart attack. So — bad jobs can lead to bad health?  Like some of you, my work history includes the job that had me driving to work with the knot in the stomach. I’ve had the job with the boss that played mind games with staff, and the job with a staff member who tried to get me fired so she could have my job. I finally decided the answer for me was to be my own boss. I still have stress, but I have more control over it. As we head into the holiday season (prime time for planning career change), those of you sucking down Pepto to get through another work day are going to be mulling over your own escape. Whether you decide to change your job or entire career path, start your own thing, or re-establish yourself within your current job– hang out with me here. I think we can wean you off of that Pepto and maybe prevent a heart attack with some great ideas and support.