How Long Should Your Job Search Take?

I met with a client today who asked me to estimate how long her job search would take. I was quite honest with her. I told her that "experts" estimate that for every $10,000 you command in salary, your job search should take a month. In other words, if you will be making $50,000, your search should take about 5 months. That is nothing more than "guestimation" in my mind.

As unpredictable as a job search may be, there are ways to make that job search as efficient, effective, and  short as possible. Most likely, the amount of success you achieve in your search is comparable to the amount of effort. However, here are some additional strategies for shortening your job search that I shared with my client earlier today.

• Obviously a big factor in the length of a job search falls down to good, old-fashioned supply and demand. Before you embark on a new job hunt, do your research to ensure that there is in fact a market for your skills in your geographic location. 

• A multi-pronged approach is always the most effective method for job searching. Many people focus on surfing the internet for job openings. While this should be part of your approach, it should not be the ONLY method you use. Integrate social media, attending networking events, and developing a strong professional referral network to your efforts to increase your chances. 

• You must have an online presence. Many recruiters are not immediately posting their jobs. They prefer to use networking, referrals, and social media first, before they post a job and have to wade through hundreds of candidates.

• Dedicate yourself to making job hunting a full-time job. You should be spending 30 to 40 hours per week on the job search. However, this does not mean sit at a computer and surf job boards all day long. Schedule time to get out and network, make phone calls, gather information, and conduct research on target employers.

• Make the extra effort to target and focus your job search. Before you send a resume and cover letter, take the extra time to research the company's needs and find a way to demonstrate how your skills can solve their problems. Take the extra effort to customize your job search - you will send out fewer resumes, but each one will be more effective.

How to Maintain Focus As a Post Grad

In college, you probably learned the fine art of multi-tasking. You studied for exams while watching "The Office" while chatting with your roommate while texting your friends. With all the distractions these days with multiple forms of social media, email and television it can be hard to stay focused on one thing, especially something as daunting as job hunting. It can be very easy to want to take the day off, so to say, as you spend your days trying to grab a career. Here are some tips on staying focused and managing your time well as you search for jobs:

1. Turn off all forms of electronic devices. Shut off your cell phone, iPod, iPad, whatever. You'll probably be using your computer to look for jobs and it will be extremely tempting to take a little Facebook break. Use Internet tools such as Leechblock for Firefox that allow you to temporarily block certain websites so you aren't tempted to waste time. If you are using your phone to call businesses, try to use a landline if you can to avoid temptation to text.

2. Use good time management. Don't say that you are going to spend 10 straight hours job hunting because you'll never actually do it or you'll quickly get burned out. Block out a few hours per day to job hunt and use the time to search for jobs using the Internet and newspapers, call businesses and visit them in person. Take breaks for food and relaxing so you don't stress yourself out.

3. Make sure you have a clear plan. If you don't really know what you're looking for or how to go about a job search, you'll quickly lose focus. Make a list of potential jobs or careers in relation to your degree that you have interest in. Make a list of people you can network with and ask for help with your job search. Keep track of the places you go to job search, the companies you apply with, the people you talk to, etc. Keeping track of all of this information ensures that you can follow up with jobs you apply for and that you don't apply twice.

4. Set weekly goals for yourself. The main goal is obviously to find a job that you love but you can set yourself mini-goals such as updating your resume and cover letters, finding new ways to job search such as joining a professional group or applying to a certain number of jobs.

If you stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize, there's no telling where you can go! Good luck, post grads!

Great Filler Jobs For A Post Grad

You've studied long and hard for many years for this moment: college graduation. It is so exciting at first: no more teachers, no more studying, no more homework! Yet, once the initial happiness and excitement wear off, you realize now you're stuck in the world of unemployment, perhaps in a bad college-type job and have no prospects. Perhaps you've been searching for a while now with no avail. What do you do in the meantime? You probably need money to pay bills or obviously want money to be able to have a social life. That is where a filler job comes in.

Don't let anyone tell you that a filler job is a waste of time. If you're actively job searching, going on interviews and networking, sometimes you still need a job to pay the rent. Here are some great filler jobs you can do while you're searching for your dream job:

1. Tutor. Remember your favorite subject in school? It could be Math, English, Spanish, etc. Well, your favorite subject is someone else's worst subject. Sign up with a tutoring company, put up flyers around your alma mater and take on a few kids you can really help. Tutoring pays pretty well, isn't very time consuming and it allows you to brush up on your skills. All while making a difference and helping someone else earn that A.

2. Find some freelance work. If you're into writing or editing, search online or ask your networking contacts if they need help with any projects. Finding jobs on a project by project basis is a great way to get started. It could even land you into the career of being a freelancer if you enjoy the lifestyle. Find out what kind of freelance work you could do for your desired career. You never know what is out there; it isn't just blogging these days. Even if freelancing doesn't suit you, you could gain some great networking contacts and make some extra cash. 

3. Go to a temp agency. Getting some temp jobs could land you in the door of a company you'd love to work for. If you work hard and share your great personality, you may just get hired or make some great contacts for the future!

4. Lastly, if you don't care about getting a filler job that relates to your desired career, find a waitressing, bartending, sales or any kind of job. You never know who you may meet or come in contact with and it could be a way to make some new friends while you earn some dough. It can be a nice time to have a fun, temporary job while you search for the one that suits you best!

7 Diverse Apps to Help You in Your Job Search

Welcome to the age of the app. Since 2009, the software tailored for smartphone and tablet use has come at us full-force, changing entertainment, productivity, and other areas of our lifestyle. Tech-savvy job seekers have utilized apps as another method to market themselves, browse job listings, or prepare for interviews. Get acquainted with the apps below to add more weaponry to your job-search arsenal.

*Note: Most of the apps below are available through the Apple App Store or the Android Market. Prices may vary.

LinkedIn: One of the more popular apps around, the LinkedIn app allows you to update your LinkedIn profile, search others' profiles, and search for positions while on the go.

Twitter: Job-seekers are turning to Twitter to find employment by following the Twitter feeds of the companies they are most interested in (many of these companies have job-specific accounts in addition to their normal corporate ones) and to stay in touch with recruiters and network with others.

Indeed.com: For those who are simply looking for jobs, Indeed.com's search aggregation technology puts jobs from many sources (newspapers, specialized-job search sites, large career-based websites like Monster, etc) in one convenient location. Its app maintains its reputation for simple design and depth of postings.

Craigster: Many career fields (such as writing and graphic design) heavily rely on Craigslist to post positions, and Craigster creates a user-friendly interface to browse positions.

Pocket Resume: A creative app that allows you to design, display, and send your resume to others.

Great Career: This career-maintenance app, created by Stephen Covey of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People fame, helps job seekers get connected with their values, contributions, and relationships to not job find a job but to create a career that is rewarding and fulfilling for them.

Evernote: While not technically a job-search app, Evernote is an award-winning app that helps you stay organized by allowing you to create text, audio, and photo notes while providing many options for note organization and syncing.

Stay on the cutting edge of your job search apps that will make you a more savvy job searcher.

Stay Productive While Unemployed

Employers recognize that the weakened economy over the past few years has resulted in layoffs for many skilled workers. As such, an employment gap on a job candidate’s resume is no longer unusual or an immediate red flag to prospective employers. However, you need to be prepared to explain any gap(s) and give examples of how you continued to develop professionally while unemployed.

Employers like to hear that you have taken a course or finished a certification program to enhance your professional skill set. Volunteer work is another great way to strengthen your skills and gain relevant experience. If the only examples you can give are creating cover letters, fine tuning your resume, and sorting through job postings, you may be surprised to find that the red flag raised may very well be for lack of commitment and initiative—not the job gap itself.

Obviously, when you’re in between jobs, job searching is expected to consume much of your time, but not so much that you can’t identify and act on opportunities to improve professionally. Be mindful that life is full of distractions, so it may take some purposeful planning to make professional development a priority.

As an added incentive, consider the personal upside to keeping yourself sharp professionally while you’re unemployed. Not only does it look good to prospective employers, it can also help you maintain a positive attitude and a sense of fulfillment during a difficult time.

The "Mes" Have It: Why You Fail In Your Job Search

That's just not me

My leadership coaching class was in the midst of practicing a technique called "calling forth," which-for the uninitiated-means to confront a client's issue with authenticity, connection, aliveness, and fierce courageousness. Basically, we were to get in the client's face for the sake of the client...even if it meant being fired in the process.

For emotive types, this is difficult. We're "touchy-feely;" we don't want to hurt anyone. We want to coddle and take care of and support. But our instructors called us forth to let go of our notion that the client is someone who needs to be taken care of and couldn't take our fierce love. They pushed us into the realm of hyperbole; we were yelling at our clients, making them stand on their heads, forcing them to lay down, and engaging in many other "abnormal" behaviors to get them to confront their issue.

But some of us struggled because getting in someone's face "just isn't 'me'." We struggled because of this idea of what "me" is.

Job searchers do the same thing. They use methods that feel comfortable for them; not ones that give them results. "It's just not me to network with strangers." "It's just not me to make a follow-up phone call." "It's just not me to ask a former colleague to help me make networking connections."

Where you are afraid to go is exactly where you need to. And don't bother asking where that is...you know where.

The Daily Leap has a wealth of job search tips and techniques that quickly put the days of unemployment behind you. Click this link, find three that are the most uncomfortable for you, and do them. These, the ones that are most in conflict with your idea of "me" will be the ones that you lead to success. You will feel bolstered by your boldness and alive by confronting your discomfort.

Don't let your insecure "me" get in the way of your goals and dreams. Go where the discomfort is.

Powerful Questions to Help You Cope with Rejection

One of my favorite quotes is by the author James Allen. In his book, As a Man Thinketh, he writes “circumstances do not make the man, they only reveal him to himself.” When I first heard this quote, its simplicity and truth floored me (though, I must admit, I do prefer more gender-neutral prose). I feel this quote particularly resonates with the job-search process. Some people are able to bounce back from rejection very quickly; others can struggle for weeks…or even longer. The sting of rejection will always exist when we are denied something that we are truly passionate about, but our choices and our thoughts dictate our next actions. If you are willing to commit to a new course of action other than wallowing in the mire of self-pity, use the questions below to guide yourself to more productive outcomes.

What wasn’t I willing to do?

If I am feeling down, on what date will I decide to be productive again?

What about my present circumstances bring me joy?

What are three distinct things I can take away from this experience?

What did I do correctly that I will do again in the future?

What feedback can I receive to improve myself in the interview process?

What new goals do I want to set for myself?

Now that I have shared some of my powerful questions, what are some of yours that help bring you back to center after being rejected in the job-search process?

Lose Your Keys, Find a Job

At the beginning of April, I did what I thought to be the unthinkable: I lost my car keys. Some of you may read that with disbelief since losing (and eventually finding) your car keys is normal pattern of everyday life. For me, though, it was absolutely terrifying for two reasons. First, I only have one set of car keys; if I lose them, I’m screwed. Second, and this may be hard to believe, I have never lost my car keys before…ever. I was an absolute wreck, the stress and anxiety overwhelming me. You can imagine my relief when my wife found them in her car (they slipped out of my pocket the night before), but what was more remarkable to me were the lessons I learned that could be applied to the job search process.

One-key vigilance: I was freaking out after losing my car keys because, up until this point, I had always known where they were at…for almost eight years! The fact that I only had one set-and the pain that I knew would occur should I lose them-kept me hyper-vigilant as to their whereabouts. Now, if I had multiple sets of keys, I probably would not have been so upset to lose a set…but my vigilance would have been affected by the “safe” feeling created by having a back-up pair. The lesson: if you feel stuck in a job right now and can’t seem to “break through” to find a new one, perhaps the current job you are in is making you feel safe. I challenge you to “shake up” your system, imagining how you would proceed differently in your search if you didn’t have your current job, or even quitting your current job to be put in the “sink or swim” circumstance that will force you to approach your search with vigor.

Understand that you have options: When I lost my keys, I felt the only option was to find them again. However, I had another: I could have gone to the dealership and paid $100+ for a copy to be made. I bristled at the idea of paying for another set, and luckily I didn’t have to. But it was still an option, one that I could have exercised. The lesson: explore the options that you have in your job search by asking yourself this question: “what am I not willing to do?” It’s a powerful question, one that-when answered honestly-will point you in the direction of how your choices are negatively impacting your search.

Proceed with patience and intelligence: I tore up my house trying to find my keys, searching in the same place three, four, sometimes five times. Imagine all of the energy I wasted, searching the same location multiple times, expecting a different outcome! The lesson: despite the stress you might feel in your job search, proceed with patience and intelligence. Be intentional about the jobs for which you decide to apply and carefully prepare your application materials. Acting erratically by applying for any job to get you out of your current situation or preparing sloppy application materials will not get you where you want to go; in fact, you will be hindered by your choices.

I’m happy to have my keys back and even more thankful for the lessons that I learned from that messy situation. Now, I wonder where I put my iPod…

Sorting Out the Craigslist Job Scams

There are hundreds-if not thousands-of job posting websites on the internet, some that cater to specific industries/career fields and others that accommodate all fields. Craigsliststands out among the latter for being both comprehensive and (by and large) free for employers to post their position openings. “Free” can present problems for job seekers, as Craigslist has become a haven for scams and false postings. How do you quickly spot scams on Craigslist? Follow these progressive tips to learn what’s real and what’s fake.

It’s in the name: Take a look at the ad you suspect isn’t real: does it have the name of an actual business in the posting? Sometimes phony Craigslist ads do not list the name of the business in it. This is not a hard and fast rule, however, as there are times when a business (particularly small businesses) wants to maintain anonymity. Treat ads that do not contain the name of the business with suspicion and move on to the next part of your investigation.

Email and phone awareness: Does the ad contain a local phone number or a business-based email address? Again, neither are requirements for legitimate ads but their presence speaks to the ad’s authenticity. It’s not uncommon for scam ads to contain a Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail email address, so treat all of those with suspicion (particularly if they are a derivation of someone’s name, like “joe_schmoe@hotmail.com”). Sometimes, though a business will use one of these email providers as their business email address (such as “fergusonaccoutingspecialists@gmail.com”) so, again, no hard and fast rule here; just something of which to be aware. The final tip, though, will ensure you’re in the clear.

Get your Google on: If the ad passes the email and phone test but you still are not sure of its legitimacy, the most successful-but most time consuming-way to determine it is to copy and paste a random piece of text (I recommend seven to nine words) into Google between quotation marks. If your search produces a lot of listings across many job sites outside of your geographic area (including other cities’ Craigslist sites), it’s a sure-fire scam; stay away from it. If not, you can apply with confidence.

Be wary of Craigslist ads that do not contain a business name, phone number, or professional business email address. Examine them carefully and, when in doubt, use the Google method to protect yourself from scams, cons, and swindles.

Tips On Becoming A Social Media Savvy Post Grad

Being a post grad these days is tough. We are all excited to graduate with big degrees. After all the excitement is over, we realize we have to find jobs and that we have no money. Many of us have to move back home and spend days after days searching for jobs, realizing most of them are "unpaid internships". My name is Lauren and I'm a recent post grad who graduated in December 2010 from Oakland University with a degree in Journalism. I currently have two part-time internships (luckily paid!). Let's begin with one of my favorite topics, the social media world and how it relates to the job hunt...

Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter are great for catching up with old friends and wasting time. But did you know they're also great for job hunting (as long as you keep things professional)? Here are some tips on how to use social media websites to your benefit when job searching:

1. I'm sure you've already got a Facebook and a Twitter account, but what about Linkedin? Linkedin is the king of professional social media. You can add your resume, network with people you already know or want to meet, ask for recommendations, connect your blog or website to your profile, join groups, search companies and employers, and even search for jobs. It is the number one tool you'll need if you want to use the Internet to your advantage when looking for a job.

2. Facebook and Twitter can help you too! Connect with the pages from your major at college. Most of them offer a page you can follow from not only your University, but your specific program. I connected with Oakland University Journalism and they often post jobs that are available in the area, tips on finding a job in journalism, and help with everything from the interview to your portfolio. Check Twitter too for a page, where they will post similar links to jobs or retweet when someone else posts an available job.

3. The number one rule if you're going to stay on social media while job hunting: keep it classy and professional! You may have your profiles private, but potential employers can often learn ways to see your pictures or even look at your profile. So just make sure your profile picture and recent photos aren't inappropriate in any way or will make you look immature. Keep in mind the things you're posting. Don't bash the job you have now (even if it is a terrible waitressing gig) because your potential employer might think you'll do the same with them. Don't post a ton of immature videos or photos either. You want to come across as mature and responsible as possible.

4. While this is not necessarily considered social media, start a blog if you haven't already. Remember the same rules as above: keep it professional and clean. No swearing or inappropriate language, photos, or videos. One of the best compliments I got from an interview was that I had a nice blog that made her want to talk to me. She said that some people don't even make it to the interview because their blog is messy, unprofessional, or riddled with errors. When I post anything on my blog, I always think "Would I want my mom, a potential employer, my neighbors, my friends, and strangers reading this?" If the answer is no to one of them, I have to change something. A blog is great if you want to get noticed in a different way, especially if you want to showcase your writing abilities. Even if you're not going into a writing field, a blog is still a great way to show that you have opinions and that you're passionate about something. A great blog is always a plus.

Get a Handle on Procrastination

Procrastination—putting off a timely activity until later—is something many of us are guilty of. Procrastination is often a common response to being overwhelmed, unsure of where to start, and afraid of failing—feelings many job seekers experience. It is no surprise that procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles in the job-search process, during which, prolonged procrastination can be both financially and emotionally detrimental. Following are just a few of the many tips available for overcoming procrastination. So, don’t procrastinate; put these tips into action now.

Build a Support Structure

First, recognize and acknowledge you have an issue with procrastination. Consider asking a friend to help you stay accountable for moving forward in your job search. Make a plan to regularly report job search progress, ask for advice, and brainstorm ideas. Also consider joining a job-seeker support group for forming mutually supportive relationships that foster the job search process.

Plan and Organize

A job search requires planning and organization. Create a list of tasks, prioritize them, and schedule them. Break larger tasks down into several smaller, manageable action steps. Your task list may be long and job searches take time, so don’t get overwhelmed. Instead, focus on the progress you make each week. Find ways to be satisfied with small wins, like making a new professional contact, receiving positive resume feedback, or having a useful conversation with someone in the industry.

Minimize Distractions

Identify distractions that become excuses for procrastination. Try to minimize or eliminate these distractions when you’re busy with job-search tasks. For example, if job searching from home has you finding a dozen other chores to do, take your job search offsite. Try the library or some other quiet spot. If you regularly surf the Internet aimlessly for hours, vow that you won’t use the Internet except to access websites that aide your job search. Then, hold yourself accountable.

Use Downtime Productively

Inevitably, you experience some downtime on your job, for example, between projects or while awaiting feedback on a current project. How you choose to spend your downtime can reveal the kind of worker you are and will likely be noticed by your manager and co-workers. Use this time wisely to organize and prepare—both should promote success and efficiency during busier times and cause your employer to take notice.

Following are some downtime tasks to consider. Although the list is geared toward those currently working, some of the tasks apply to job seekers as well.

Organize your work area: This can involve organizing your desk, files (both paper and online), and reference material, etc.
Clean out and organize your email: If your email isn’t automatically archived, consider archiving those you may need to refer to later. Respond to emails that weren’t a priority during busier times and delete emails that are not needed.
Prepare for upcoming tasks: If you are aware of upcoming projects and/or tasks, complete any upfront work possible. For example, if you produce the company newsletter, ask for article ideas or submissions in advance. In some cases, you may only be able to plan and schedule upcoming tasks—but doing so may help you hit the ground running once the work begins.
Offer to help your manager or co-workers: Offering assistance is almost always appreciated. Your manager, in particular, will be glad to see you taking the initiative.
Identify opportunities for improvement: If you have ideas for how a process might be improved or how the company can grow business, use downtime to research the ideas. If you present the idea and it doesn’t get implemented, you’ll most likely still get credit for being proactive.
Sharpen a skill or expand your knowledge: Identify resources for developing your professional knowledge or sharpening a skill. For starters, look into a Webinar or take an online training course.
Catch up on current industry news and trends: Stay current on what is happening in your industry and the trends that are being discussed.