Selling yourself

As I was traipsing around jewelry stores in New Mexico I noticed an interesting phenomena. Sitting on a bench resting my old back and watching I saw the game being played. Before the sales clerk tried to sell you anything they start with small talk. Where are you folks from, what brings you hear etc? They then listen and pick up on what you have to say and respond accordingly. They tell stories about themselves, their store or the jewelry. It goes back and forth. As I observed this it made me think about us in this transitional time in our lives. We should take note of how the game is played. We need to listen also, pay attention to our talking partner and relate. Stories work well, information we know well can go along way. Yet don’t over elaborate and bore them. Try it out in your next networking event.

Summers almost over

Well not quite, but it seems that once August ends we are preparing for the
fall. Did you enjoy your summer? Did you make use of some of the warm weather, go anywhere, enjoy the outdoors?

That is one way you'd make your search fun. Yes, you do need relax time even though searching for your next opportunity is a full time job. Don't you remember how hard you can and have worked, took little time off and later said "never again". Don't let the fear of not working overwhelm you and not take some time off once in a while. Remember that all work and no play makes one a dull person!

"To Do" list

Do you have your "to do" list? It seems so simple that we don't need one. Yet businesses for years have given away these blank lists for folks, your computers, PDA's and cell phones have them. There is a reason for this.

We can become overwhelmed of what we have to do. I have found even mowing the lawn will get on my to do list. It seems pretty obvious that it needs cutting yet I seem more prone to get it done so I can run a line through it.

As you go about your search you may want to consider your own list. Seven items is a good number, no transferring to the next day over and over again. Get in the habit of making one out for each day, either the night before or first thing in the morning. You'll learn what needs to be on there and what doesn't.

When you don't feel as productive you'll be able to see what you have done and not feel so bad.

Are you having fun yet?

When I ask this question the look on peoples face's are always fun to observe. Many say "Are you crazy?" This is not fun. Of course my retort is "Then it is your place to make it fun". "But Cleon, you don't understand, this is miserable."

The basic problem is your cash flow has been cut off and now you have to search to find a new source. As you search and receive rejections it just seems to get worse.

Re-focus, give new thought to having fun. Rather than look for a "job" look for opportunities. Talk to people and companies learning more about them. You'll have more fun this way and fewer rejections.

Social Networking-Outside Mirrors

Many of you don't remember when we didn't have outside mirrors on a car. We just has one inside in the middle. As folks began putting their own on the outside left others had no need or desire, couldn't see the value in it. Over time more people put them on and soon the factories began offering them. Next was the right side outside mirror. Once again we began to install them and some would have no part of it.

Fast forward now and both outside mirrors are a mandatory item from the factory. Are they useful? Are they a great safety device? Yes to both.

The point is as time eclipses so does technology and even ways to do business.

If you're not using a social networking tool, ie: LinkedIn, you will be in time. I doubt it will be mandated by anyone except yourself. There are so many social networking tools now that I won't even begin to list any others. I currently use more than six and find it keeps taking up more of my time.

It is part of the way "things" are done anymore.

Dog Days of Summer

Are you enjoying your summer? Are you complaining about the heat? Are you helping your neighbor, fellow career searchers? Are you blogging, reading a book, going to the beach?

So many question I could ask you. As you continue your search be sure you also do something for you too.

Who do you serve, how do you serve?

How do you introduce yourself? What words do you use? Do you ever stumble of what to say when someone asks you "What do you do?" Not uncommon at all. As we try to put our best image forward we become lost. Not wanting to look or sound awkward we seem to be able to do just what we don't want to do.

As you conjure up your elevator speech, 30 second infomercial keep the above in mind. Who do you serve and secondly how do you serve them.

Social Capitalist

The other day a new friend and true champion of people called me a "Social Capitalist" to which I asked "Is that good or bad?" His reply was it is good. Whew!!!!

You are all social capitalist right now. Some more than others. Your ability to connect to others for your own good is useful in your search. More important is your ability to help others connect. The more you connect and the more your connections connect makes you exponentially bigger every day. If you watch your third level connections you can see the results of others in your group.

Networking and connecting reach far beyond our sights.