26 Feb 10 The hardest part of your job search

: Image by brixton via Flickr

What is the hardest part of your job search?

Is it finding contacts to one of your target companies? Is it building a list of companies you’re targeting? How about preparing for interviews?

For me, the hardest part of my job search is also the most important part. What I’m about to say is echoed time and again from people I’ve interviewed for the How I Got My Job job search success stories podcast. I believe it’s the most important part and most often the hardest. Because it requires so much work up front. (more…)

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Want to hear how others got their jobs? Listen to How I Got My Job - the job-hunting success stories podcast at http://www.howigotmyjob.com

Check out Daniel Johnson, Jr. on LinkedIn.

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Tags: 48 Days to the Work You Love, Employment, job hunt, Marketing, Seth Godin

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16 Jan 10 Dealing with down days

: Image by _mandrew_ via Flickr

crossposted to danieljohnsonjr.com/main

Yesterday was a down day. I don’t think I’ve felt so down like this in quite a long time. It was quite an emotional day of dealing with insecurity, anxiety, stress, and self-doubt.

As I think back to what contributed to this, I can definitely see that, among many things, I was very tired from having overextended myself earlier in the week. In addition, I haven’t been as active physically lately. I’ve loved taking our dog for long walks and using that time to relieve stress and haven’t been doing that as much.

I think down days are good for us, and I’m grateful that I saw it as only temporary. When we’re in those down periods, it’s good to explore why we’re feeling what we’re feeling to see what we can do to get back up. For me, it was taking a long nap and getting out of the home and going for that long walk with the dog.

I’m grateful to have great emotional support from my family. I’m glad my wife encourages me the way she does, and that I have a daughter who thinks I’m the greatest Dad ever. Because it’s so easy for me to look in the mirror, or be told on the phone or in an interview or a rejection letter that I don’t measure up to expectations.

I’m grateful for a network of friends who think very highly of me and let me know. I need to be reminded of my accomplishments, to be encouraged, just as much as I encourage others.

So I spend time in prayer and meditation. I find that music to help me with my mind and listen. I watch funny movies. I check out these 37 Videos That Will Blow Your Mind (thanks again, Chris Ryan, for pointing me to the link!).

And I blog.

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Tags: Add new tag, Anxiety, Emotion, Health, Meditation, Mental Health, stress

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07 Jan 10 Overcoming the dread of resume writing (BOOK REVIEW)

I made a confession on Twitter and Facebook yesterday: I hate writing resumes and cover letters and sending them off to people. I realize it’s a necessary part of the hiring process, but I’ve found it tedious and in some ways overwhelming.

I think the reason for this has to do with changing a career. I have a resume that somewhat worked for what I did at my last job, but, since I’m now moving in a different direction, I have to come up with a different resume. In my mind that often seems to be like an insurmountable task.

: Image by Olivier Charavel via Flickr

Last week I went to the library and browsed the books in the job hunting section for inspiration. I noticed this thin, tall book by fellow Cincinnatian Andrea Kay, entitled Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want (affiliate link). This book was first written in 1997, and it contains a lot of things that are helping me overcome my dread of writing a resume.

Andrea writes in a real, down-to-earth style, and I love the approach that the book takes. She starts from having us inventory our strengths, expertise, and experience. Then she helps us get to the core of what we want to do and how we can make a difference, combining this into a thesis statement and objective. Once we do that, we’re able to put the accomplishment statements that support the thesis on the resume.

I’m still reading the book, but I wanted to let you know about it right now, because it’s actually given me hope that I can overcome my dread of writing a resume. I also have no problem recommending you check it out and use my affiliate link. Check it out at the library, or get it here.

Resume Help for Job Seekers (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Good Cover Letter Techniques To Writing An Awesome One (slideshare.net)
Jumpstart your job search using the best online and offline strategies! (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Using Social Networking Sites for Job Searching (timesunion.com)

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Tags: Andrea Kay, book review, Cover letter, Resumes and Portfolios, Writing

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09 Nov 09 Pursuing Your Passion

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Ever feel like someone’s trying to tell you something?

Early this afternoon I did an in-person interview for How I Got My Job with a good friend of mine, Marc Hopkins, about how he got his recent job as an adjunct professor at a local university. During that interview he talked about YourOneDegree.com. From their website: “Your One Degree is the specific focus and direction you were put on planet earth to pursue and accomplish.”
Later this afternoon, while browsing the aggregate feed for this year’s National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) website, I found this post from Will Brown entitled Pursuing Your Passion. I was intrigued so much that I had to take a second listen.
My good friend and Cincinnati-area colleague Cliff Ravenscraft from GSPN.tv has a blog and podcast entitled Pursuing a Balanced Life. You may have seen some updates on Twitter with the #PABL hashtag; Cliff and this community are behind that. He left a high-paying job selling insurance to pursue a passion in podcasting and has been able to make a living doing that. I’ve heard him share his story a number of times, and I continue to be inspired.

Maybe it’s that being in transition removes a lot of the other constraints I felt like I was under when I was working full-time, but I’m at least seeing a lot more varied opportunities come my way to try new things.

What about you?

What Questions Do You Have On the Pursuit of Passion? (celestinechua.com)
Following My Passion Has Changed My Life (podcastanswerman.com)
How to Profit From Your Passion (usnews.com)
Loving What You Do (twistimage.com)

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Tags: Cliff Ravenscraft, GSPN, mission, multiple careers, NaPodPoMo, One Degree, PABL, passion

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28 Oct 09 Overcoming Rejection

: Image via Wikipedia

Last night I attended a networking group for job seekers at a local Barnes & Noble. The organizer is an employee there, and each week he plans a discussion around topics that are relevant to other job seekers, with some books he’s found.

Coping with Rejection

The topic for last night was “Coping with Rejection”. Monte, the organizer, described it this way:

Rejection can impede your job search in a number of ways. Some are subtle and some not so subtle. We will look at a number of different authors, books and web sites is seeing what defenses and strategies we can employ in overcoming this major stumbling stone. We’d love to have you join us but we won’t take it personally if you don’t.

To wallow or not to wallow: that is the question

Interestingly, he found that there have not been books written exclusively about how to deal with rejection; most books contain a chapter or a paragraph or two. I wonder if that’s because not many people are interested in buying books on rejection. We can choose to wallow in the rejection, or we can rise above it.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t take time to figure out what happened and what we can learn from it. And I’m not saying there shouldn’t be time to be sad or down. But I think there needs to be a time when we pick ourselves back up and press on.

Different playing field – different ballgame

Many of us job seekers are finding that this time of searching is a completely different playing field. I imagine hiring managers are feeling the same way. Job seekers wondering why they haven’t even received a rejection letter; hiring managers too busy or overwhelmed with applicants to have time to send them out.

The great supply of labor has some employers on a bargain hunt. If we as job seekers are not willing to come in at a number they offer, they can probably find someone else who will. This is a different kind of rejection, isn’t it? We begin to wonder whether you’re worth what you used to make. If we opt for the lowball offer, that might pigeonhole us at a lower pay range. When the market improves, who’s to say that we won’t jump ship? Chances are that we won’t rise above it at that job.

Know yourself

This is where having a great personal brand, both online and in-person, is key. We need to know ourselves, communicate who we are and what we’re about, in such a way that shows that we fit with an organization and position. Doing this means getting out from behind the computer, taking that shower, and getting in front of other people. Learn about yourself and what your marketable skills are. Uncover leads for new opportunities, not only from searching online but also from asking others you know.

The power of a phone call

The phone is still one of the best social networking tools around. One person at the group last night told a story about having an interview one morning about 25 miles from his home. He awoke in a bad mood and wasn’t looking forward to driving in the sleet on the roads that he was sure would be a mess. The phone rang, and he let the answering machine pick it up. He hoped it was the hiring manager, calling to cancel or reschedule the interview because of the weather. Instead it was someone he’d met from a networking event who knew about his interview. She called, saying she was reminded that he had his big interview that morning and wanted to wish him the best. His mood changed.

This story reminds me that I both need the encouragement and I need to offer it generously.

Another person, who has a background in sales, described his approach in calling on potential customers. He said before he had an intimidating call to make, he’d make a call to his best client. He said this advice could work for us job seekers. If we have an intimidating call to a potential employer to make, we could first call someone from the group or another friend we know who’ll offer us the emotional support we need.

Prime the pump

Sometime during the evening, I brought up Zig Ziglar’s story about the water pump. Since I couldn’t remember all the details, Monte, the group’s organizer, told the group the compact, “Reader’s Digest” version. Through the magic of the internet (*wink*), I’m able to share it with you here:

Zig Ziglar – Prime the Pump.

I’m glad I went to this group and was sad that I had to leave early. Hopefully some of the things I’ve shared here have been valuable to you as well.

Strangers Lend a Hand to Job Seekers (online.wsj.com)
Free career coaching support for unemployed UK professionals (ki-work.typepad.com)
Social Media Is Thin Skinned (jackofallblogs.com)

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Tags: Barnes & Noble, Job hunting, networking, personal branding, rejection, Zig Ziglar

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12 Jun 09 Back in the job search!

photofunia_2054228

Key Dates

September 1994 – First day of full-time work after graduating from college
September 1997 – Last day of work at first job
November 1997 – First day of work at consulting company
June 1998 – Last day of work at consulting company
August 1998 – First day of work at second consulting company
June 2002 – Last day of work at second consulting company
January 2005 – First day of work at a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)
August 2006 – Last day of work at PEO
January 2007 – First day after being rehired at PEO
June 2009 – Last day of work at PEO

I don’t know what exactly made me want to present the dates in this way, except maybe to show that job transition isn’t uncommon and announce that I, too, am back in the job search.

I started this blog back in July 2002 as a way to document and share resources I’d found online in my job search. If it might be useful for me, it might be useful for you, too. This was before social bookmarking sites like Delicious were around, so some of those earlier posts just contain links.

I expect that blogging here at Get That Job! will increase over the coming months, and I’m going to look for other ways I can provide value to you who read this. As you might already know, I’ve been producing an internet radio series called How I Got My Job, where I share job hunting success stories from other people. The initial motivation was to help listeners keep a positive attitude while in transition. I need that myself now more than ever.

If you haven’t reached out yet, please do. Find me online at my About page. What successful job search strategies have you found?

Thanks again for accompanying me on this journey.

How to Find a Job Online (wealthyways4you.com)
Twitter: The Best Job Search Tool Ever (blogworldexpo.com)
How I Got My Job as Tech Center Manager at a Public Library – Christian Sheehy (howigotmyjob.com)

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Tags: laid off, Professional Employer Organization

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03 Mar 09 Promise Me Something

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I know you’re hurting.

When I was unemployed and underemployed in 2003-2004, those were very dark times for me. The stress of not being able to provide for my family overwhelmed me to the point where I became seriously depressed. Seriously depressed. The pain I felt was nearly unbearable. I found a psychiatrist and therapist and took some medicine and talked with other people. I was involved in a church community.

Depression clouds everything

Still, there were times I thought about ending it all. Yes, there were rare times of what they call “suicidal ideation“. I was open about those thoughts and feelings. I made myself accountable to others who would ask me:

“Are you taking your medicine?”
“Are you going to your appointments?”
“How are you really doing today?”

Depression clouds everything, especially in a job search. When you’re depressed you don’t feel like you have anything to offer anyone. Maybe this hits us guys more than the ladies because we get so much of our identity from what we do for a living. When that is taken away from us, we feel like part of our soul has been ripped out.

There are days you don’t even want to wake up. You want the pain to go away.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Stay in the battle

Promise me something. No matter how bad it gets – don’t give up. Stay in the battle. Look at yourself in the mirror – no, STARE DOWN the person in the mirror – and repeat these two statements of fact:

You are better than you think you are.
You can do more than you think you can.

The biggest reason I created the How I Got My Job project is for times like this. Surround yourself with success. Just hearing that someone else got a job can give you hope. Listen to these stories over and over again. Let them sink into your consciousness as you begin to believe in yourself again.

Read this excellent article from Christopher S. Penn about How Your iPod Can Protect Your Mind.

Get help

Finally, get help. No man is an island. We were made to be social creatures, and we need to get and stay connected with others. We live in an age now where connecting online is so easy. Even more importantly, though, get connected to people in-person. You need to find people to meet up and network with. Find people who will inspire and encourage you, people who are not afraid to tell it like it is. Heck, feel free to get in touch with me. I try to make myself as approachable as possible. Get some therapy if needed.

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Respond to Depression (articlesbase.com)
Six Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations (lifehack.org)

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Tags: Depression, job hunt, job search

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05 Feb 09 Using social media for a job search | Rachel Levy – Boston marketing pro (social networking, Twitter)

: Image by danieljohnsonjr via Flickr

I initially started this blog as a resource for myself. As I read and consume content that I think would be worthwhile sharing, I often consider it in that frame of reference.

Such is the case with this jewle jewel from Rachel Levy:

Using social media for a job search | Rachel Levy – Boston marketing pro (social networking, Twitter).

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Tags: job search, linkedin, rachel levy, social media, twitter

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02 Oct 08 My First Real Job

Image by Valerie Everett via Flickr

This morning I was reminded of the first real job I had when I was in high school. I had a small paper route when I was in junior high school and the lawn-mowing jobs during the summers, but this was my first real part-time job.

My stepmother went to high school with the owners of an Angilo’s Pizza franchise in our neighborhood. Probably because she was tired of seeing me hang around at home so much, she had me go up and fill out an application. I got the job and began learning how to make pizzas and hoagies. I was 14 years old.

I worked part-time at Angilo’s during high school until after I graduated and went on to college. Over time I demonstrated my reliability and was able to open and close the store on my own.

We started doing delivery, and when I got my driver’s license, I became one of their best delivery drivers.

I think I went through a Nissan Datsun, a Chevy Chevette, and a Ford Granada during my time there.

I learned a lot about hard work, and somehow still managed to excel at school.

What was your first job, and what life lessons did it teach you?

This post originates from http://getthatjobonline.com

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Tags: cars, high school, pizza

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25 Sep 08 One thing every day for your career development

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It’s almost like Jason Alba was reading my mind. Yesterday I mentioned how I’ve felt like I’ve been treading water in my job search:

I had an idea a few days ago, and my mind has been spinning since. Today I’m announcing Jibberjobber One Thing, which will help people who are interested in nurturing their careers, or even protecting their careers, and wondering what they can proactively do to salvage some idea of job security.

I’ve signed up for this. Why don’t you do the same?

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26 Feb 10 The hardest part of your job search

16 Jan 10 Dealing with down days

07 Jan 10 Overcoming the dread of resume writing (BOOK REVIEW)

09 Nov 09 Pursuing Your Passion