That’s a lot of people looking for work at the same time! One of my clients recently shared the perception that employers are beginning to hire . . . showing confidence and enthusiasm in interviews is critical in getting job offers. So how do you overcome lack of confidence or the anger that bubbles up when you think about your current work situation? Altering what you focus on can restore both your confidence and your enthusiasm. Focusing on what you can control helps. Choosing to reflect a positive attitude in adversity also helps, if only to give the perception that you’ll be productive and pleasant to work with.

By spending wait time between jobs productively, you’ll stay motivated, be a more interesting conversationalist and will also have some personal goals and achievements to discuss and take pride in. If you’ve endured an extended unemployment period, you’ll have positives to share with recruiters who inevitably ask how you’ve spent the time since your layoff or termination.

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your transition time:

1. Read Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D. to learn why you need to adapt to thrive.
2. Get healthy: get a checkup, lose weight, exercise, get enough sleep and establish healthy eating habits to increase energy, stamina and mental acuity.
3. Take a class; learn something new that will increase your knowledge, upgrade your skills and make you more valuable—to your current employer or the next one.
4. Spend quality time with the people you love. You can overcome a lot of workplace unhappiness with supportive personal relationships.
5. Volunteer for a nonprofit whose mission you support. This is also a great way to gain leadership experience to position yourself for advancement.
6. Join a networking group or revive lapsed relationships; there’s no better way to find your next opportunity at any step on the career ladder.
7. Get a makeover and update your wardrobe to give yourself an emotional lift and improve confidence in your appearance.
8. Research companies where you’d like to work; you’ll be better prepared to ask intelligent questions, key to making a good impression during interviews.
9. Update your resume. If you can’t do it yourself, find a credentialed professional writer who can provide a great payback on your investment.
10. Forgive the employer that has mistreated/underpaid/terminated you. Candidates with a positive, “can-do” attitude attract offers.

And here’s one final tip: if you don’t get the offer but know someone else that would be perfect for the job, speak up and offer a referral (and make a friend for life). Want to share a helpful tip? I welcome your thoughts.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Waiting until savings have run out and the house is in jeopardy to reach out for professional help.

Remaining angry over a negative performance review or “unfair” termination.

Inability or unwillingness to set goals and be held accountable for progress.

Lack of confidence, optimism and enthusiasm.

Not building and maintaining a productive network or avoiding networking altogether.

Relying on out-dated application methods rather than social media in an age of global connectedness.

Applying blindly for positions they are clearly unqualified for.

Maintaining the status quo rather than adapting to a changed environment.

Using online application as the sole job search method.

Paralysis by perfectionism; wasting opportunities by constantly “fine tuning” personal marketing documents.

Focusing on experience rather than value.

Lacking a clear job target; not wanting to “narrow” the possibilities.

Do you see yourself here? What are you willing to do to change your perspective . . . and your results?

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Once you meet the basic qualifications for a position, soft skills become important as competitive differentiators. The more senior your position, the more critical it is to demonstrate self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management.

These emotional intelligence (or “EQ”) components are also essential leadership strengths that reveal how well you know personal strengths and weaknesses, how well you are able to hold your emotions in check when a threat is perceived, how culturally or politically savvy you are, and how well you work (or play) with others.

The results you are expected to achieve in a leadership role are only part of the hiring proposition today. Teamwork skills are increasingly important in a connected world.

Where are you on the EQ continuum? How has your emotional intelligence helped you move up the ladder? What insights/wisdom have you gained that will restore upward momentum to your career?

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

1. Your boss, approachable in the past, is suddenly unavailable when you need guidance.
2. Your authority is curtailed: you are now micromanaged on routine assignments.
3. Others get the plum assignments and kudos for a job well done.
4. Your last 5 performance evaluations were stellar; your new boss ranks you as a “sub-par” performer.
5. Your boss wants all the data from your contact management system.
6. Bad news is given to you in writing and your superiors several levels up are copied.
7. You have been informed that you will now report to someone lower on the totem pole.
8. You’re suddenly out of the loop; you are no longer copied on strategic communications.

These are just a few of many possible warning signs that it is time to move on. What scenarios have YOU experienced that propelled you into action? What was the outcome?

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

Many companies are preparing budgets for the next year and managers are prepped to begin talent searches during this seasonal “slow time.” Some departments may have budget surpluses and will use the space between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays to spend remaining dollars on new talent before the surplus evaporates.

There is often less competition for worthwhile positions during the holidays because candidates assume that no business is being done and everyone’s on vacation, so dive into the candidate pool with your best foot forward! Whether or not there is an official opening, you can use this time to find a network connection that will help you get in front of a hiring manager. Every company hires year round—and they’re always looking for top talent. When the prospective employer is ready to hire, you’re already a known, desirable quantity.

Holiday parties are ideal for networking and building relationships because people are in a jovial, relaxed mood, making it easier to strike up a friendly conversation around mutual interests. You can also put a note in holiday cards that you send to former colleagues and professional contacts telling them that you are considering a fresh challenge and plan to contact them for ideas and information once the festivities are over.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t delay until January to get your marketing materials in order. Developing a well-crafted, impactful professional message takes thoughtful consideration and time, whether you prepare those materials yourself or work with a career professional. You want to stay ahead of—not behind— the competition. Use the time you have available right now to prepare so that you land well.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

 Of course you’re not alone. Many job seekers (whether employed or unemployed) feel exactly the same way you do: they’re uncomfortable in crowds, are reluctant to ask strangers for help and would rather visit the dentist than “work” a room.

 So what to do? First of all, consider mindset.

• How do you define network?
• What other term might you focus on that evokes positive thoughts?
• What would be the value of a productive network?
• How do you want people you are meeting for the first time to perceive you?
• At what time of day do you have the most energy to interact with others?
• What types of events/activities/groups do you enjoy? What do you enjoy discussing?
• What would your reaction be if you were approached by someone who wanted to network with you?
• How can you bring value to the people with whom you network?
• What would a conducive networking environment look like?
• What would make networking easier for you?

Thoughtfully consider these 10 points to experience a shift in thinking. I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone to build new relationships, make new friends, increase your sphere of influence, connect with hiring decision makers and access the hidden job market. What step are you willing to take right now that will move you toward that ultimate goal?

Have you secured a new position through networking? If yes, what tips and hints on networking would you give to fellow job seekers?

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

If you’re one of the 84% that is dissatisfied with your current employment situation, what’s holding you back from exploring a better opportunity? Of course looking for a new position isn’t the same as securing one–that will likely take some time. So what are you doing now to position yourself  for that fleeting “brass ring” opportunity that arises two days from now and disappears just as quickly?

When you want to sell your house, realtors emphasize increasing “curb appeal” to maximize selling price. You want to de-clutter living spaces, trim hedges, repair walks and broken windows, perhaps repaint. Enhancing curb appeal can several weeks or months to accomplish; you don’t expect to fix everything that has remained undone for the last 15 years. So why delay your job search effort? Developing personal marketing materials takes thoughtfulness, concentrated effort and time. Think of the process as increasing your “hiring appeal.” Are you willing to waste an opportunity because you’re unprepared to apply when a desired position opens?

You own your career; seize opportunity while your competition continues to think and wait.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

• If you’re not online, you don’t exist to recruiters.
• Change is hard, but lingering in the past is not an option because online tools are cost effective and efficient for recruiters. Hardly anyone can justify the time or resources necessary to manually sort through resumes any more.
• If you’re not managing your online presence, you may want to look into that.
• Most employers say they use social media sites to research/screen job candidates.
• Many candidates are rejected because of inappropriate photos or comments, discussion of alcohol and/or drug use, disparaging remarks about a previous employer, crude language, discriminatory remarks, lying about qualifications and sharing confidential information from a previous employer.
• Anything you post online remains there indefinitely; there is no erasing past mistakes (or errors in judgment).
• Digital dirt can be devastating to careers; you may need to enlist the help of an expert to clear your name and restore your professional reputation.

If any of these issues are keeping you awake at night, call me: I can help!

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com

What does this mean for you? Plan ahead. Be prepared; be ready to apply when that perfect opportunity presents itself. Keep a list of current accomplishments and update your resume periodically so that you aren’t caught flat footed. If you need professional help, research and qualify a career professional before your need is immediate. Why create stress for yourself or generate a hefty “rush” fee?

You are CEO of your career. Lead wisely.

Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com