As it Falls

As the season Falls upon us and we see colors changing, feel a briskness in the air and begin changing our clothing attire what are you doing to change with the times? Flexibility is a useful tool to have in your toolbox. Your ability change to the surroundings.

Maybe that means a new look at what you want to do or where you want to be doing it. Sometimes we need to change locations. Although I feel it can be dangerous to move in anticipation that the grass will be greener elsewhere we can't overlook the fact we may need to move. If we are not willing to move for a specific opportunity then sometimes we need to change our sights on what we will be doing next.

In either case our ability to change as the seasons do will help us to move forward.

Why not check them out?

Have you been to a leads group, chamber of commerce group, business after hours, professionals meetings? Why not?

If you don't find any start one yourself. Why might you attend such a meeting of PEOPLE? There is the answer...people. Remember people know people. You also have the opportunity to help others. You'd be surprised of how much information and knowledge you have that can be shared.

You'll find most groups, not all now, are open to new visitors because they usually need new members from time to time. Even if it isn't a perfect match for you in time you may know of someone else that would be a good fit. It is such meetings and you sharing them that makes you valuable. You bring something to the table.

Why not try it soon?

Strive for excellence

Many times people relate that they have an interview with a company that actually doesn't fit their own criteria. That being the case they are not too worried about blowing the interview.

My suggestion is to strive to do your very best every time. Let your problem be that you are offered a position and you have to politely decline the spot. You could even be so good as to refer someone else you know for the spot.

Why do your best no matter what? It is great practice. You will learn something. You could be a valuable resource for them. You can be a valuable resource for those that you know and are looking too.

You never know who the interviewer might know and if you don't work out for them they may have another source for you when you do a great job.

Bragging

When you get to an interview do you brag about you and your talents? Some of us were told by parents that it wasn't nice to brag. While I preached that to my children also, I'd differ when it comes to an interview. Who else is there to extol the virtues you possess? When you have a passion and love doing it then you'll have to toot your own horn.

Think about it, how else would a prospective employer really know that you are passionate about what you do. It is one thing to know how to do a specific job/task vs. loving to do it and being passionate about doing better than anyone else.

Your ability to highlight your best virtues could be just the difference between success and not getting what you desire.

Schools back in session

Where did the summer go? Kids are back in school and here you are. Out searching for that next opportunity. Still some more hot weather around the corner and you need to get pumped. Pumped for what? More rejection, that awful word NO?

Attitude my friend, your attitude plays a magnanimous part of how good this journey can be for you. Of course it is not always easy but neither is life.
By following my mantra you can ease the load:
Have fun,
Meet people,
Learn something.

As you set up appointments, attend networking events, go to the store, library or anyplace keep in mind that you are going to have some fun. In the process as you meet people you will find that if you listen you'll also learn something.
Every no is one step closer to a YES.

Making time for what is important

Many times folks tell me they don't have time for social media, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and the list goes on. A fact one needs to understand is it isn't going away. It is becoming a part of life and business. It will continue to grow and morph into more than we can imagine now.

Another fact is we make time for what is important. If you doubt this think about tasks and events you attended or did 20 years ago and tell me you still do each and everyone of them today. You will find some go away and new ones take their place. The same goes with social media. You will be involved sometime.

Your ability to make time for events is up to you. I have found in my own life I am slow to move or change sometimes and can see the results later. I'm still trying.

What is your USP?

Do you have a USP? Do you know what it is? Why do you need one?

USP= Unique Selling Proposition

We all have them and probably more than one. We need and use them in different situations. When in the hunt for that next opportunity we need to be aware of what makes us unique. Why someone might need us or better yet compelled to hire us for some uniqueness. We all have a lot to offer, the question is this the right company or venue for our talents to be utilized?

A fact to not overlook is sometimes no one company needs all of our talent all the time so this is an excellent time start your own business of offering our services to a multitude of companies that will pay for it.

Never overlook your own business.

Labor Day 2010

Labor day is on September 6 this year. Summer is over and school is back in or will be soon. It is time to get back in the swing and get serious about this opportunity search.

Where to start first? Get in touch with you. Have you grieved and come to an understanding of where you are. Have you visited the Employment office in person or on line? Have you contacted all your close friends and business associates. Are you setting up coffee appointments and filling your calendar with networking events?

Have you thought about a coach? Why not, you'd probably call a plumber to help you with a plugged drain or to hook up a new appliance so why wouldn't you use a coach?

Get with it and get busy and most of all get out of the house.