Monday, April 25, 2011

10 Character Traits of Successful Job Seekers

There are perhaps a hundred remarkable character traits that define the quintessential job seeker, however, only a handful of these traits help the successful job seeker.

Here are some of the most common and powerful character traits that describe the most successful job seekers:

1. Driven
Drive is a very common characteristic among the most successful job seekers. Looking for new opportunities is challenging. The job market is competitive and requires a significant amount of both determination and motivation in order to succeed.

2. Goal-Oriented
Drive will take a job seeker only so far. In addition to drive, job seekers also need a plan. . Without SMART [Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding and Time-bound] goals and the ability to focus on the actions required to reach those goals, success can be elusive. In order to be successful, job seekers will need to take time to set goals so they have clarity about where they are going and how they intend to get there. Plan the work and then work the plan!

3. Confident
Confidence is a very powerful character trait that instils trust, facilitates respect, and often leads to increased success. The most successful job seekers have a steady, quiet confidence that doesn't border on arrogance or egotism. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare.

4. Passionate
While it can be very difficult to overcome the challenges looking for work without a true passion for what you are doing, the most successful job seekers are able to incorporate things they are passionate about into their day-to-day search for new opportunities. Start a blog to demonstrate your depth of knowledge. Respond to questions on social media sites like LinkedIn.

5. Budget-Minded
Since a significant part of job seeker success is related to financial success, the most savvy job seekers become experts at creating budgets and sticking to them as they manage the operation of their job search. Job seeking requires that they have an intimate knowledge of their resources [time and money]. This ability to know exactly what they have available, where to reduce expenses, and how to make smart decisions when it comes to spending can often determine success.

6. Self-Reliant
The most successful job seekers have a defined sense of self-reliance. The ability to think and act independently, without the input of others, is a very common trait. Looking for new career opportunities is stressful; it behoves job seekers to find ways to mitigate that stress.

7. Humility
Although many job seekers may be self-reliant, the most successful are also able to ask for help when they need it, give credit where credit is due, admit when they are wrong, and accept constructive criticism. These job seekers have an ability to keep their feet on the ground during even the most stressful periods in their lives, and are able to remind themselves of how far they have come.

8. Resilient
Being a job seeker comes with its up and downs; there are victories, setbacks, chaos and calm waters. The most successful job seekers are those who are resilient and able to bounce back after an unexpected challenge and get back up after facing a setback.

9. Focused
Job seekers handle a vast array of responsibilities in their day-to-day lives. They wear many different hats during the course of the day. The ability to block out distractions and focus on the immediate issue, task or goal as well as the bigger picture is a key trait in the most successful of job seekers. Persistence pays!

10. Open-Minded
While focus is an important trait found in most successful job seekers, it's also important to keep an open mind and consider different perspectives. Sometimes job seekers need to consider alternative ideas, such as working part-time, having more than one job and perhaps trying new processes in order to reach significant levels of success.


Good Luck!

Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

YES! Your Résumé’s File Name DOES Matter!

Now that résumés have gone digital, it is more important than ever that job seekers keep their files names stored in a manner that is ‘end-reader’ friendly. Some basic résumé ‘don’ts include the following:

Resume.doc - It is highly likely that recruiters and the like will already have that particular file name somewhere in their database, so you can be sure that if you are not outstanding in some way, your file will get lost in the pile of somewhat suitable candidates if not deleted completely.

2010 resume.doc - This file name is a poorer choice than the one listed above. This file name suggests that you haven’t bothered to update your résumé since last year. Regards of whether or not you have made any modifications to the document in terms of updating your current employer, education or skill set, anyone reviewing a document with this name will see the candidate, at the very minimum, as candidate who doesn’t pay any attention to detail.

2011 resume.doc - Tells the recruiter or hiring manager that you look for a new career opportunity at least once per year.

Microsoft Resume.doc - This file name may work if you are applying at a job at MICROSOFT!

Apple Resume.doc - See above!

Anything.docx - “docx” is the new file format for Microsoft Office 2007 or later. Know that those who do not have that version of Office may be unable to open your file. Another concern is that the format used in your original document may show up differently on different word processing programs.

Anything.doc - Know that not every company uses Microsoft Word, you should consider saving your file as a PDF file. N.B. There are several FREE PDF converters available, so it may be in your best interest to get into the habit of converting your application documents.

SMITH_John2011.03.05.0114.doc - Those who see this type of file mane would conclude that either you are seriously OCD organized, a librarian, or some sort of operating system.

Resume10_v3.doc - Those who will read your document will not care about the version of your résumé they are reading. They may wonder why you keep changing your document, but that wondering will pass quickly.

Helpful Hint:
Try to make life a little easier for those who are likely to receive MANY résumés for any and all posted job opportunities by using your name [first and last] and advertised position job title in the file name.


Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Job Search Stress and How to Deal with It

If you have been on the hunt for new career opportunities for a while, you are undoubtedly feeling at least one of the following:

• Lack of energy
• Low motivation
• Stressed out
• Feeling down

As someone who has ‘been there’ and ‘done that’, know that these feelings of melancholy will pass once they are acknowledged and addressed. In addition to the tonnes of self-help techniques, which can be powerful on their own, you should also know that there isn’t any shame in getting support through professional counselling and support groups. Regardless of the method you use to address your current mental state, you should also consider the possibility that feelings of melancholy have become a habit and like any other unhealthy habit, it needs to be broken.

Pleasurable Events
Among the first things we do when we are feeling down is to quit the things that we were once accustomed to doing. The fact that you no longer feel motivated to participate in these pleasurable activities is precisely the reason to keep doing them. Many studies have shown that participating in pleasurable activities on a daily basis will enhance your mood. “One pleasurable event per day will help keep your ‘blues’ away.”

Workout
When you are feeling down, being active is, quite possibly, the very last thing you feel like doing. However, according to some, it is yet another easily available tool in your stress- management toolbox. Getting back into the routine of being active is like killing 3 birds with one stone: the blood flowing to different parts of your body will give you a boost of energy, the time spent taking care of yourself will provide you with a respite from your emotional slump and you will improve your overall weight and physical health. You don’t have to join a gym, a daily walk or run will also do wonders, but know that having a workout buddy may help you with sticking to your regime.

Social Activities
Give your time to those who can capitalize on your wealth of knowledge or use your company. While you don’t have to become the next Mother Teresa, volunteering for a worthy cause can boost your energy, open doors to meeting new people and force you to be exposed to new ideas and opportunities. If you aren’t yet up to interacting with humans, give your time to an animal shelter.

Change Something

De-cluttering your workspace or cleaning something in your home can also help alleviate your ‘hum drums’. If you find the idea of cleaning or de-cluttering a whole room, start small with perhaps a countertop or a drawer.

Use the Internet

Sign up to receive humorous or inspirational quotes and or cartoons directly into your inbox on a daily basis. Alternatively, sign up to ‘follow’ people you admire on Twitter or scour YouTube videos for uploads that make you smile. Good comedy is timeless.

Take Regular Breaks

Studies show that spending more than 90 minutes at time doing any activity, except for sleeping, will reduce your productivity and consequently increase your stress level. Some folks swear that their ‘glums’ go away just by turning the radio on to their favourite station and dancing around the room.

Don’t Eat Junk Food

The temporary ‘high’ is not worth the calories and there is no benefit to becoming addicted to sugar, caffeine and the like. Think of the long-term benefits rather than the short-term pleasures.

Learn Something New
There are plenty of resources available for people who are interested in learning. In addition to the multitude of tutorials available on the Internet, you can also meander down to your local library and pock up some books on subjects that may be of interest. When was the last time your library card got a workout?

Get Some Fresh Air
At the very minimum, open the curtains and a window. Even if it is raining out, the change of air to your workspace will be refreshing.

The above is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do when you are feeling down, but they do serve as a starting point and they don’t cost anything to try. My only closing advice is that you take the time to monitor your feelings while participating in the activity and if it feels good and doesn’t hurt anyone, including yourself, keep doing it.
Be good to yourself!

© Salvino 03.09.11

Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

New to the Job Search Market? Start Tracking! - Part Two

In my last blog, I gave you a number of suggestions on how to track your job search with the use of either spreadsheets or binders. In addition to those suggestions, it would also behove you to consider do the following:

Helpful Hints:

Hint 1
Set up a job search schedule so that you do different things on different days. Job-hunting is intense work and there are many ways of doing it. For example, look at doing searches on job boards two days a week, spend another two or on researching and contacting companies that could use your skill set and one day working on your social media profile and networking both on-line and in person.

Hint 2
Keep multiple copies of your résumé. You should have one ‘master résumé’ that can and should be sent to your job leads that do not review résumés on a regular basis; an abridged version [ 1-2 pages] that can and should be sent to hiring managers and recruiters who would normally be in the position of receiving 100 - 150 résumés per day for any posted job advertisement.

Hint 3
Customize your cover letter and use words that are used in the original job advertisement.

Hint 4
You should always carry your own business cards to distribute at networking events. These business cards should display the following information:
On the Front:
• Your name
• Your desired job title
• Your e-mail address
• Your phone number

On the Back:
• 3 or 5 Career highlights


Hint 5
Don't forget that you should track your networking efforts as well:

~ Date
~ Networking meetings
~ Event host details
~ Contact names of the people you met
~ Follow-up - phone message, e-mail, reconnecting meeting date, etc.

In closing, it is always a good idea to note the name and contact information of the people who helped you, and then stay in touch with them so that you can help them, when and if they need help, and they can help you, again, if you need it. Good luck!


Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca