It was 90 degrees with 90% humidity. I was drenched with sweat and dying of thirst. But Coach Ed Hawley wouldn’t let up. He smacked ground ball after ground ball during infield practice with a ferocity likened only to a lumberjack hacking his way through a 3 foot diameter tree trunk. I was playing shortstop for my high school baseball team, circa 1982, and dreading the fact we still had an hour of practice to go.  I kicked a groundball and then booted another and let a third carom off my glove.  Then, pointing the bat in my direction like a gladiator sword, Coach Hawley let out with a bellow I can still hear to this day:

“Strankowski! You do in practice what you do in the game!”

The next game I sat and didn’t play. Message taken, Coach.

Today, it’s the same thing in the job interview. In the hiring manager’s mind, you do in the interview (the practice) what you will do on the job (the game). No exceptions. The candidates that display a willingness to go up-and-above in the interview, do the things other interviewees are not doing, and show a passion for the position, will greatly increase their chances for success.

But before practicing answers to tough curveball questions and picking out that perfect power tie for the occasion, all job seekers need to understand The Five New Economy Job Interview Essentials. To skip a step here is interview suicide as there is always a candidate in the lot who knows how to sell themselves and maximize their chances.  In this tepid economy and challenging job market, the pendulum now sits firmly on the employer’s side.

Don’t boot any easy ground balls during your next interview.  Here are the Five New Economy Job Interview Essentials to help you ace the interview and win the job!

1-      Job interviews are open book, open note

Hiring managers want you to succeed.  Speaking from experience as a former corporate recruiter, the biggest problem I wanted to have was to go to bed at night after a day of interviewing candidates wondering who I was going to hire because they were all so good.

That never happened.

Today’s’ job interview is a sales call with you being both the product and the salesperson.  All selling pros come to a prospect meeting prepared. Pros don’t “wing it.”  They have an action plan and are ready to shift on the fly if need be. You too need to come prepared with the information that will enable you to succeed: printouts of company web pages (this shows you’ve done your research), extra résumés and job business plans (more later), an agenda, and a list of well-thought-out questions. Pros look like pros so ensure you have a nice folder, good pen, a leather briefcase, planner or smart phone for keeping appointments, and are dressed two levels above the job you’re applying for. You can wear the uniform when you’ve made the team.

2-      Balance the tangible with the emotional

As a recruiter I hired more people based on their enthusiasm, achievement drive, and willingness to go the extra mile than grade point average or number of years with XYZ Company. Any hiring manager worth their salt knows that people who want to work for an organization will simply do a better job.   Sure, the tangible information counts.  Things like relevant skills, education, experience, and areas of expertise should be drawn upon to answer interview questions like arrows in a quiver.  But the golden lasso around the entire interview–the thing that will really give your performance some “pop”–is you’re ability to explain just how and why you can get behind what the company or organization does. This is the emotional element of the interview.  Whether they sell gravel, coffee, greeting cards, or assist the sick, animals, or elderly, citing reasons to the employer as to how you can champion their cause will score you big points up and beyond basic tangible interview answers.

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3-      Connect the dots

All selling pros have a clear understanding of the prospect’s key needs before they begin pitching a product. One of the most common interview faux pas I saw was the inability for some candidates to stay on point when asked a simple question.  I had to reel some in that were so far off course they reminded me of deep sea fishing for blue marlin.  The fish, or in this case the candidate, is jumping out of the water and taking out line by not staying on point and saying way too much, all in the name of trying to impress me or say something that will stick.  A solid interview plan should focus around the top 5-6 duties and responsibilities for the position and then your key skills or experience that will meet or exceed their needs in that area.

4-      30-45-60

Overselling a product is common blunder in the sales game.  It’s also a common mistake in the interview game. Being coy and understating your case will not win you the job either.  You need to find the balance between brevity and verbosity. 95% of the interview questions you’re asked will be open-ended so prepare to connect the dots as discussed in #3 and cite a specific work example or anecdote that supports your answer. You have the green light and are ok in speaking for around 30-45 seconds, then, start to close things up. More than 45 seconds and you are flying through a yellow light and if you’re still talking by 60 seconds, expect a “talking ticket” in the mail because you just blew through a red.  This skill takes time and practice, so whether you talk to the mirror, paper plates with smiley faces on the backs of chairs, or Muffin the cat, vocalize your answers out loud before heading into any interview.

5-      Utilize new tools and new strategies: The Job Business Plan and Brag Book

Winning the interview means going up and above.  Doing things the homogenous, C+ job seekers are not doing. The best sales people, once they clearly understand the prospect’s key needs and pain areas, always present a professional outline of product and/or service recommendations known as a sales proposal.

You need to do the same things by way of the Job Business Plan. A Job Business Plan is a two to three page mini-business plan you present to the prospective employer during the interview or, in certain cases, before the interview phase.  It is designed to show them that you took the time to assess their business needs, perhaps by speaking with an inside coach or the hiring manager, and have used your creativity and business intellect in designing a results-based action plan to offer solutions.

Customers, or in your case the interviewer, also want to see testimonials, references, and validation of the product (you!) before they buy. A Brag Book is a professional portfolio—usually a three-ring binder with page protectors—that details documented academic and professional achievements.  By employing this strategy and presenting it during an interview, you are stating to Company XYZ that you are someone who always does more than expected, are a high-achiever, and approaches your job in a very well-organized and pragmatic manner.

With the job market more competitive than it’s been in the last 20 years and companies continuing to do more with less, smart job seekers are going the extra mile when prepping for a job interview.  Forward-thinking organizations are also taking more time and utilizing more opinions when making new hires. Today, with the high cost of recruiting in terms of both time and money, there is simply too much riding on a hiring decision to screw it up.

So take a lesson for Coach Ed Hawley and over-deliver. Do in the interview what you’ll do on the job. Show the employer exactly what they’ll be getting by doing the things other job seekers are not doing and letting them know you’re the star player you truly are!

Hello, my name is Don and I watched almost every episode of American Idol this year.  They say the first step to recovery is admission, so there, I did it.

I think I started watching because AI held my regular dinner time slot in addition to inviting a new judge for Season 10 in Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.  I’ve been a fan of Aerosmith and Steven Tyler’s Aeroscreech vocals going way back to my childhood.  I once remember playing “the drums” on an ottoman as I watched them rock out on the Midnight Special TV show circa 1976 when my babysitter let me stay up way past my bedtime.

Until this year, American Idol had been the butt of my jokes and a punch line during seminars.  I used to consider the show an example of the “dumb-sizing” of America, as more people voted on AI than did in most major political elections.  That was, until I saw Steven Tyler stealing the show with his antics, Steven-isms, and one-liners.  It was actually an enjoyable and entertaining break from the often negative and moribund stories seen on national news shows and so-called TV dramas.

In addition to the entertainment value provided by the unpredictable Tyler, curt Randy Jackson, and surprisingly knowledgeable and personable Jennifer Lopez, I also noticed certain trends unfolding with the AI contestants.  Some of the patterns and events reminded me about how much of a microcosm AI actually was in relation to today’s real world at work.

So if you’re a fan of the most-watched TV show in America or just want to see what all the AI fuss is about, here are 4 things that I learned or confirmed about the real world at work by watching Season 10 of American Idol:

1- Don’t let your “disability” hold you back.

It doesn’t matter what your “disability” or unique challenge is.  We all have challenges; they’re just more evident for some people than others.  One Season 10 AI contestant in particular caught my attention: James Durbin.  Durbin battled Tourette’s and Asperger’s Syndrome most of his life, often being picked on and beat up just because he was “different.”  But when he hit the stage on AI, he seemed to transform himself into another person altogether.  His stage presence was amazing and entertainment value sensational as he sang and hit notes not heard since the 1980’s hair band days. Durbin toughed out his demons and performed superbly for tens of millions each week, not letting his deficiencies stop him or slow him down.  I think his defining moment came during his rendition of Uprising by Muse as he let his true talent shine through, ending up in the AI final four.

2- Get creative and employ a multifaceted approach.

Pia Toscano was the best pure singer in Season 10 of AI, hands down.  In terms of vocal talent, it was not even close, Pia was the best.  However, in an AI shocker, Pia was voted off during Week 9.  Even Las Vegas (yes, there are betting odds on American Idol) had her pegged as the odds-on favorite to win the entire competition.  Though Pia’s singing voice was stellar, her act wasn’t.  Week after week she pounded out one power ballad after another.  At first she shined, but I believe the American voting public became bored with her one-trick-pony act and eliminated her based on lack of creativity.  Most job seekers and professionals fall into the same trap.  They either stick with what is easy or what is comfortable for far too long, even when their results are mediocre at best.  It takes guts and courage to make exciting changes, to choose a different course, and to learn new skills.  To stay sharp and employ what’s working in the current job market and in our current industry, sometimes we need to take a chance and do what is uncomfortable, risky, and scary.  Maybe it’s taking that class, attending a networking function, or volunteering for the lead on a new project.  The key is to ensure your skills and “act” are not getting stale. Minimize the chances for getting “voted off” by your employer and have a plan for professional growth and development consistent with today’s market conditions and industry needs.

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3- It’s not always talent that wins – popularity counts.

The old axiom, it’s not what you know but who you know, certainly held true for Season 10 of AI.  Scotty McCreery was an extremely mediocre singer but with a huge following.  He typified the good ‘ol boy persona and rode average performances coupled with boyish good looks and a massive fan base all the way to the AI winners circle. Certainly, others in the contest were more talented.  But it was Scotty’s smile, attitude, and demeanor that won him huge tracts of votes—especially among AI’s target TV voting audience.  In the real world at work, you can’t run or hide from office politics.  They can be found in all companies from 5 employees to 5000, so learn how to master them — and your reputation.  Remember that skills and expertise count, but so do forming constructive relationships.  Take time to get to know those who can help you (and whom you can help) move forward, advance toward your goals, and get things done.  Having a high PQ (Popularity Quotient) is just as important as having a high IQ when it comes to getting paid more and promoted faster.

4- Bring your A-Game by being true to yourself and your natural talents.

Haley Reinhart was often criticized by the judges on AI for not “knowing who she was” and singing off key.  I couldn’t have disagreed more.  Haley did know who she was and maximized her natural talent, playing it all the way to a third place finish.  Despite the judge’s (Randy Jackson in particular) constant panning of her music selections and vocal range, Haley stayed true to her roots of bluesy, raspy vocals that brought back memories of Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge.  Ironically, it was Haley’s dedication with being true to her unique sound and singing style that enabled her to finish so admirably.  We all have unique talents, skills, and traits.  But how many of us actually follow them and develop our career around them? The vast majority of people are overtaken by their fears and play not to lose as opposed to playing to win.  Don’t be the person that looks back twenty years from now for another chance that’s just not there.  Follow your true skills and natural talents and go as far as you can with all that you’ve got.  Maybe it’s in your current occupation or maybe it requires a career change, side business, or full-on entrepreneurial shift.  Take the first step in determining just what your unique gifts and talents are (and we all have them) and how you can contribute.  The key to a fulfilling career—and life—is to then use our unique talents and to work in an area that we’re truly passionate about.

American Idol is cheesy, grandiloquent, and bombastic.  Ryan Seacrest smiles way too much and the show is over-dramatized.  AI is also good fun and solid entertainment.  Some principles for success and achievement continue to stand the test of time and are proven over and over again, whether we’re talking about you gaining that promotion at work or a young contestant being voted off of America’s most-watched TV show. And if you enjoy stories about beating the odds, overcoming challenges, and making a comeback, tune in to AI sometime to watch Steven Tyler work an audience just like he did back in ‘76 when I was beating the drums on the ottoman in my Underoos.

Empower yourself to make a change: Use passion, gumption, and maybe even anger as fuel for getting better results.

I recently read a story on CNN.com entitled Both parties abandon the jobless. It’s an interesting take on the political stances (or not) of both parties regarding assisting the unemployed.

The current economic recovery is weak and job creation is slow.  I also think we’re an eyelash away from another financial meltdown as everybody’s trigger or panic point is set much lower now than it was just a few years ago.  But here’s something that we don’t think about enough: Isn’t it strange that in this tepid economic situation, neither of the two U.S. political parties is offering a plan to do anything about the job(less) situation?

It also raises an interesting question: Just how much is the government responsible for keeping former worker’s afloat and how much lies on the side of the workers themselves?

For the past 25 years we have been living in a global economy.  Add the advent of the internet over the past 15 years and you have business that is now being done at light speed.   The companies that are hugely successful today (Apple, Disney, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart) figured this out a long time ago and adopted the change.  The companies that didn’t (Commodore, Schwinn, Polaroid, Ames Department Store) have since become extinct.  Need cheap labor?  Look overseas.  Low overhead?  Employ a web-centric presence as opposed to the old-fashioned brick and mortar.  Many of the new business principles being employed by successful companies today are a result of adapting to the changing marketplace—with some companies even completely reinventing themselves (…And the Award goes to Apple).

Is it our responsibility to keep our career flexible and to reinvent oneself, ala Apple, allowing for changes in the economy and marketplace or is it the government’s responsibility to take care of its citizens—promote the general welfare of the people if you will—while new jobs emerge or benefits are extended?

My recommendation is this: Don’t wait around for Washington to help out because they probably won’t.  I’m not being a defeatist, just realistic given the current economic and policy-making challenges our country faces.  Plus, if you’ve logged on to my web site and are reading this blog, I know you have all the necessary tools within you right now to make a change for the better!

Don’t wait for things to change, change them yourself.  Even in today’s challenging job market and lukewarm economy, you can still win the job you desire if you do things differently than the average, homogenous job seeker who is reactively waiting for things to change.

Here are 7 Action Items you can implement immediately to get better results in your job search—and career.  These are not theory or hypothesis, they are proven techniques that will work if you commit to doing the heavy lifting.

1- Stay positive, stay focused, and develop a proactive mindset.

I know this may sound cliché, simplistic, and self-evident, but it’s the NUMBER ONE success factor for you achieving your goals—personal and professional.

For many people, shock, anger, resentment, negativity, and sometimes even depression can all be byproducts of a layoff or firing.  But the bigger problem are the devastating effects that becoming habitually negative and pessimistic can have on our attitude towards work, the job search, and our life.

Stay positive by embarking on productive activities that give you the greatest levels of pleasure and boost your self-esteem.  Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you.  Take some time to write out new goals.  Use positive affirmations and read motivational material on a daily basis.  You need support right now, not critics, so try to minimize your exposure to pessimistic people.  Ditch the negative mindset and employ an attitude of positive expectancy.  This is the step one in making any successful job, career, or life-altering change.  Get involved in a volunteer activity as a means of keeping your skills sharp, networking, and giving back to your community.  You’ll feel terrific when you feel like you are making a difference!

2- Approach the job search as a full time job.  Set daily goals, to-dos, and make a schedule.

Most people put more thought and planning into a 5-day vacation than they do in their long-term career goals.  Approach your search as a full-time job, listing and planning out all the key elements of a successful job search.  They may include things like researching companies, networking, tuning up your resume, looking for viable positions, assembling cover letters, portfolios, and business plans, and devising an interview strategy.  There is a lot to do and stay busy with when the job search is done right!  Block out days and times when you’ll accomplish each task.  Regularly schedule meetings and lunches with old coworkers and networking contacts and develop momentum.  You’ll feel better about yourself and how you are spending your time when you stay productive and maintain a regular schedule.

3- Contact Companies of Interest

How do you locate positions that exist only in the minds of directors, vice presidents and company leaders?  Seventy to eighty percent of all jobs are never advertised according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  By assembling a target list of companies and then detailing a strategy for reaching and selling the hiring manager, mining the hidden job market can be a powerful job search technique. Employ a solid social media strategy using sites like Linked In and Twitter to reach out to and follow key company representatives and to network your way to informational and job interviews. Use sites like www.ZoomInfo.com, www.WetFeet.com, www.Vault.com, and www.GlassDoor.com to conduct company research and get the inside scoop on what people are earning and saying about their employer.

4- Use the V-Letter

One cover letter strategy to lessen your chances of ending up in the “discard stack” is called the V-Letter.  This document is a short letter that compares your qualifications with the employer’s requirements for the job.  It uses the same concept as a cover letter with the only difference being that you are replacing the middle paragraph (the “body” of the cover letter) with a “skills table” drawing parallels to the company’s requirements and what you have to offer.  It’s brief and concise enough to catch the reader’s eye with highly relevant material within those first crucial seconds.

V-Letter Sample

5- Customize Your Resume

It is absolutely imperative that your resume be customized for the specific position that you’re applying for.  Do not allow the hiring manager to make the assumption that you will be a good fit for the position.  Work in relevant keywords and buzzwords (provided you have them) taken directly from the job description to increase your chances.  Make it crystal clear that you are a solid fit for the job.  Customize your resume and sell them—on paper!

Branded High-Impact Sample Resume

Don’t have a resume or need an update? Look HERE

6- The Job Businesses Plan

A Job Business Plan is a two to three page mini-business plan you present to the prospective employer during the interview or, in certain cases, before the interview phase.  It is designed to show them that you took the time to assess their business needs, perhaps by speaking with an inside coach or the hiring manager, and have used your creativity and business intellect in designing a results-based action plan to offer solutions.

Sample Job Business Plan

7- The Brag Book

A Brag Book is a professional portfolio—usually a three-ring binder with page protectors—that details documented academic and professional achievements.  By employing this strategy and presenting it during an interview, you are stating to Company X that you are someone who always does more than expected, are a high-achiever, and approaches your job in a very well-organized and pragmatic manner.

Brag Book Content Ideas

For the job market and your career in 2011, more than anything else, you need to distinguish yourself from the masses.  Many published job openings on the Internet can receive hundreds (and in some cases thousands) of responses. The bigger question is are these posted openings still available or even legit?  You need to package, bundle, and market yourself as the ideal fit for the position you’re applying for.  You need to market yourself as a specialist at what you do.  You need to pay special attention to details and show the prospective employer that you are not simply your average run-of-the-mill employee.  You need to employ 2011 Rules like sending a customized resume and using social media to uncover the plethora of unadvertised jobs.

Unfortunately, Spiderman, General Patton, General Custer, donkeys or elephants are not going to be riding to the rescue.  Determine what you want and what stokes your passion.  Sixty percent of your entire adult life is spent in some sort of work-related activity. Don’t just “settle” when you can HAVE.  Take the first step—today!

Do you remember the old Canon camera commercials of the 1990’s? I think Andre Agassi had it right:  Image is Everything.

20 years later, we are still consumed by image–and probably even more so. Especially when it comes to what we wear, drive, who we associate with, and even what technology suits us best.  From Madison Avenue to Madison, Wisconsin, brand image is everything and an integral part of our culture and society.

Why do people respect certain companies and brands? According to a recent Fortune survey, the top five most respected companies are Apple, Google, Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson and Johnson, and Amazon.com.  Each of these companies is an industry leader in what they do.  From the innovative iPod, to search engine dominance, to ordering just about anything online and having it shipped to your home, these companies have found ways to connect with their customers in bold fashion like no one else can.  They are the most respected because they are also the best at what they do.

Today, brand image is also a vital part of any job seekers success. To garner notice and win the job in today’s challenging job market means positioning yourself as the best of brand ; doing things better and more efficiently than your competition.  Being the best of brand means being innovative, effective, high quality, a problem solver, and offering something that employers want and need.  You create demand for your product by doing things better than your competition.  It holds true for Apple and Amazon, and it holds true for you too.

Over the years, I have met many job seekers that possess the necessary attributes to call themselves the best of brand.  But the enigma is this: most job seekers do not see themselves as a leading brand or product, but as a commodity (i.e. “just another job seeker”) in a watered down pool of applicants.  Though they may posses what it takes to be successful, most job seekers simply don’t do a good job of selling themselves as a leading brand or product able to fulfill a finite set of criteria. They hope that the employer will make the connection on their own that they can do the job.

Today, selling yourself as someone who can simply “do the job” is not nearly good enough.

The truth is, with some minor adjustments, any job seeker can implement a plan to improve their brand image.  And in today’s uber-competitive job market, it’s the only the best of brand candidates that will get noticed and ultimately get hired.

Here are 3 Brand Image Types job seekers need to be aware of when building their brand and increasing their marketability:

1- Personal Brand Image

This is the brand type you carry with you in all business interactions.  It describes the way you look, act, talk, and your overall attitude. This is the single most important brand image you have because you are being judged every time you interact with another individual.

We are all judging creatures, even on a subconscious level.  You’ve heard the expression “You only have one chance to make a good first impression,” right? The fact is we generally formulate first impressions within the first three seconds of meeting someone.  And after 30 seconds, they dry like resin. So it pays to make a good one right off the bat.

Here are three key areas job seekers need to consider when enhancing their Personal Brand Image:

Attire: Are your clothes out of date? Are they wrinkled or frumpy? Looking unkempt or like you walked out of 1977 can be the kiss of death during a job interview, career fair, when meeting a person of influence, or when attending a networking event.  Think about your buying habits.  Would you purchase the microwave oven that’s dented and has a big scratch along the side?  Most people wouldn’t.  Most employers want to hire a candidate that looks the part of a high quality product.  Take a field trip to Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, or any other softline retailer with a solid reputation.  Ask the sales associates what the latest business attire trends are, then watch for sales and promotions.  A business fashion overhaul doesn’t mean spending thousands of dollars.  Major deals can be had right now just by being a strategic shopper and purchasing smartly and selectively.

Grooming: Choose a hair style that’s both contemporary and professional.  Nails are trimmed, neat, and clean.  Facial hair for men is discouraged, but if you must keep the beard, ensure it’s presentable.  Investing a few dollars on a teeth whitening product is also a good idea.  Ladies, heavy makeup is not necessary and can be distracting.  Walk the middle road and let your accomplishments—not the bright blue eye shadow—make an impact.

Lip speak: You don’t have to speak the Queen’s English but slang, street lingo, mispronouncing words, and improper use of grammar is just plain unprofessional.  Sure building rapport counts.  And some hiring mangers may be 20 years your junior.  But sound like a professional when describing yourself in providing value for an organization.  Listen to any national network news anchor.  They speak in a personable yet professional tone.  They do a good job of conveying information to people of all backgrounds and educational levels in a proficient, clear, and likeable manner.

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2- Written Brand Image

How do your communication documents read? Are your emails and correspondence well-written?  Or are you one of the people who communicates in all low case, nonsensical acronyms, and throws caution to the wind when considering grammar and capitalization?  How about your resume? Is it a high-quality and high-impact marketing document that’s free of errors?  The answers to all of these questions describe your Written Brand Image.  It covers all types of business communications from the simple and mundane to the mission critical.  Communication skills are key today in just about any type of profession.  Ensure everything you produce in the written form is of high-quality, well versed, and mistake free.

3- eBrand Image

Welcome to 2011: 80% of all hiring mangers will Google you as you go through the interview process.  What are they looking for? The answer: information, both positive and negative.  All online information as it relates to you comprises your eBrand Image.  Blogs, message boards, and especially social media and social networking sites all count.  What other people, maybe even some of your friends, have to say and show about you on their sites also qualifies.

So what comes up on a Google search under your name?  If you’re a professional, you probably have a LinkedIn and maybe even a Twitter account.  Do they brand you as a high-quality professional or are they confusing, erratic or incomplete?  Are you talking smack about politics or other controversial topics on Twitter?  Is your main Facebook picture tame or risqué?  Anything that you can control on the internet like blogs and social networking sites should be used to build your brand.  Offer tips, advice and recommendations about your occupation and/or industry.  Blogs can now be set up for free at Google Blogger.  Stay away from controversial topics and people on any type of site that uses your real name.  I’m all about verbal sparring and taking a stand in a particular belief. But when it comes to protecting and promoting your brand image, stay away from the polarizing characters and debates.  You, being an elephant,  just never know if your prospective boss is a donkey reading your rants and posts.  Set up an alias account for this purpose.  Build your online brand by positioning yourself as the best of brand professional you are!

Professional image is one of the most important intangibles in determining whether a job seeker will be considered or hired for position.  Are you positioning yourself as a high-quality product or an also-ran commodity?  Are you an achievement-minded problem solver that will create value for any organization or a C+, run-of-the-mill employee?  Your brand image speaks louder than your words, so do everything you can to maximize it.  In many cases, all it takes are some minor adjustments to some of the previously mentioned areas to boost your chances for getting noticed and getting hired!

You owe it to yourself to be the best you can possibly be.  Realize your true potential and position yourself as the Apple or Berkshire Hathaway of your particular business.

They say history always repeats itself, but in this case I don’t think the concept ever went away.  The rules and methods may have changed, but as Andre Agassi said in 1991, the same holds true for 2011: Image is Everything!

Smart job seekers continue their search despite the holidays

The Thanksgiving-to-New Year holiday season is often viewed by many job seekers as a job-search desert.  Nobody’s hiring, new budgets haven’t been decided, and everybody’s on vacation—so the conventional wisdom goes.  People are thinking more about shopping lists and holiday parties than work, right?

Like most “conventional wisdom,” these opinions may contain an iota of truth, but the holiday season can also be a gold mine of opportunity for prudent job seekers.

The holidays give job seekers the gifts of social and networking opportunities, increased access to hiring managers and often new budgets and business projects that need to be staffed.  It’s also a time of goodwill and giving where people are more likely to help.

Job searching during the holidays doesn’t have to be as tough as Aunt Gertrude’s fruit cake! Here are FIVE PROVEN STRATEGIES for advancing your job search while others are on Christmas break:

1 – Your odds for success can increase due to a reduction in competition

Perhaps the biggest benefit for job-hunters is reduced competition for jobs.  I would estimate 30-50% of all job seekers either drop out or greatly reduce their efforts during the holiday season. Take advantage of the opportunity! Though there may be a slight drop in the number of available full-time jobs, the number of job-seekers actively pursuing employment drops off drastically thus, increasing your chances for success.  Simply continue to do all the things you’ve been doing to this point; warm calling, reaching out to networking contacts, attending events, and working with recruiters.  Playing the numbers can definitely work in your favor if you continue pushing the job search momentum you’ve already established.

2 – Many executives and key decision makers limit their travel during the holidays

Because of extended vacations, holiday preparation and in some instances last-minute budget and fiscal responsibilities, many key decision makers do not (or greatly limit) their travel during the Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s stretch.  What this means to the smart job seeker is that more key decision makers are available to make hiring decisions and when attempting to contact or meet during a networking event.

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3 – Some companies can find themselves with a budget surplus

Even in times of an economic downturn, another circumstance that can work in your favor is the fact that some companies may not have used up all allocated funds for the current fiscal year.  During my days of selling software, December was usually a strong month due to the fact that many companies still had budgetary funds remaining.  Not spending all available funds the current year often meant a decrease in funds allocated for the following year.  Many departmental budgets are also used for hiring which means it’s use it or lose it.  Some companies may opt to bring on new employees close to the end of the year as to use up any remaining funds and to allow the new employees to get acquainted with the new company and their peers.  Still other employers may be under pressure to fill positions by year-end as to enter the beginning of the new calendar year fully staffed.

4 – Use seasonal activities to influence network contacts

The holiday season often brings us in contact with people we don’t see very much during the year–former work colleagues, neighbors, out-of-town relatives, and old friends. These people can all be very influential members of your network, and once you’ve reconnected over a holiday get-together or phone call, you can follow up to ask for more specific assistance.

Try to attend as many holiday get-togethers and networking events as possible.  Ask questions of the people you meet and show a genuine interest in what they do. This will in return pique their interest in you and their willingness to help.

Don’t attend holiday parties with a fist full of resumes but do have personal business cards with you at all times. If you’re unemployed, invest in a nicely printed personal business card, with your name, contact information and perhaps a two-word career descriptor, like Sales Executive, Database Programmer, etc. This way, you’ll have something to exchange with the people you meet.

Be prepared to inform your contacts what you’re up to and what you’re looking for then ease up a bit.  Try something like, “I don’t want to bend your ear too long, how about if I give you a call in a few days to see what suggestions you might be able to give me.” When you do call, you’ve already set the “wheels in motion” so you won’t feel awkward reintroducing yourself.  Also, remember to dress for success for holiday networking events and parties!

5 – Don’t be a Scrooge—Volunteer!

An extremely effective technique for making contacts during the holiday period is volunteering. You’ll be providing some much-needed help and simultaneously get the benefit of meeting new people. There are many groups that could use your assistance right about now–and for the rest of the year as well.  Volunteering is also a great way to keep your skills sharp, build confidence, and feel great about yourself and what you’re doing.

*****

Don’t let your job search skills get “Frosty” during the holiday season.  Keep things flowing—besides the egg nog—and get a leg up on your competition before the January rush sets in.  Will it be easy making inroads during the holiday season?  Not exactly, but it’s a far superior strategy to procrastination or worse yet, doing nothing. Working longer, harder, and smarter than everyone else always pays big dividends!

Here’s a Christmas bonus: Use the coupon below and SAVE 50% on a career coaching meeting (in-person, Skype, or tele-coaching) with Ascend Career and Life Strategies! Offer ends 12/31/10.

Most workers will tell you that they want a job that motivates and challenges them and one they find satisfying. But most people also want to be paid what they’re worth. In today’s economy, most job seekers (and employers) keep score the old-fashioned way—in dollar signs.

Today, the law of supply and demand has enabled the pendulum to rest securely on the employer’s side. There are simply more qualified candidates in the labor pool right now able to fill most positions. Employers simply don’t have to pay as much for good talent. Still, it pays to be informed, know what your personal going rate is and how to receive top dollar when it comes to negotiating your compensation plan.

ACTION STEP ONE: Do your research!

The first step in gaining an idea as to what you’re currently worth in today’s job market and to develop any sort of negotiating leverage is to conduct research. The Internet has a wealth of data concerning salary ranges for certain occupations. Some sites allow you to drill down on a very granular level by offering salary data for a litany of industries, titles and occupations.

The best web sites for gaining salary information are:

• Salary.com (www.salary.com)
• America’s CareerInfoNet (www.acinet.org)
• United States Department of Labor—O*NET (http://online.onetcenter.org)
• PayScale (www.payscale.com)
• SalaryExpert (www.salaryexpert.com)

Recruiters can also be a good source of information. They deal with employers and potential candidates everyday and know what the latest going rates are for different occupations. They can also advise you regarding salary trends and how much you may be worth on the open market when figuring in your skills and experience.

When surveying your worth, be sure to research a number of different sites and sources rather than relying on just one. Salaries may vary from one source to another so the best thing to do is to formulate an average based on your findings. You must also factor in certain intangibles such as industry, company size, skills required, your level of experience, and the current demand for the position.

ACTION STEP TWO: Have a plan for talking salary during the interview phase

Use the previous research recommendations for gaining information regarding what the average salary may be for the position and bring your research along with you to the interview—in hard copy. In the vast majority of all first interview situations, you will be asked what you are expecting to earn. This is another way for the employer to weed out candidates; eliminate the people who are looking to earn too much money.

To throw out a random, “nice to have” number like $50,000 or $60,000 is a major interview blunder. As a former corporate recruiter, these kinds of figures just sounded made-up, as if the candidate didn’t do any research on their worth.

Once you do state what you are looking to earn, most interviewers will ask you how you arrived at that figure. Always state one number as opposed to a range. State that you based your numbers on your research findings, your skills and experience, and your knowledge of the industry. For example, “Mr. Jones, based on my research, conversations with a number of recruiters, and knowledge of the industry, I feel my current market value is $67,500.” Coming into an interview and discussing salary with tangible data will afford you much more leverage when finally settling on a figure.

If at all possible, have the employer throw out the first number. You can take the sword out of the interviewer’s hand by (when you feel the interview is winding down) asking, “Could you tell me the compensation range budgeted for this position?” Or, “Just to make sure we’re both in the ballpark, what can one expect to earn in this position given my background and experience?”

ACTION STEP THREE: Negotiate your best price after a job offer

Always call the hiring manager within 24 hours of any offer and say how much you appreciate the opportunity to work for Company X. If the offer falls within your range and you are satisfied to this point will all other areas of the company and compensation plan, accept the offer and settle on a start date. If however, you have concerns that the compensation being offered is too low, you must be able to position yourself properly and ask the right questions in order to maximize your chances for an increased offer. At this point, what you say (and don’t say) in a 10 second window can cost you thousands of dollars. Scripting your dialog ahead of time in a bulleted format will give you confidence and assist you in being specific regarding what you want.

To start the negotiation process you may ask, “Based on my ten years’ experience in this industry, my research, and my proven ability to close deals and generate revenue, I feel the base salary offered is low. Is there any flexibility?” The hiring manager will usually ask what you have in mind for a number. Because you have done your research and know your current market value and worth, you are able to sell yourself based on what you will bring to the company.  Then try something like, “Based on the research I have done, I feel someone with my experience and background should be in the upper level of the range we have been discussing.” Hold your position and go silent. Silence is a strong tool in negotiations and the first one who speaks often loses. The hiring manager will generally wait through the silence and either counter or state they will get back to you.

If you’re extended an offer and it falls within your range, when it comes time to work through all the final details, don’t haggle over every particular item. It can cast a shadow over you and sour the hiring manager on their decision to hire you. Nobody wants to hire a “trial lawyer” who’s going to dicker over every minute issue.

ACTION STEP FOUR: Employ a strategy for landing the job AND a fair compensation package

If you’re not being offered the compensation your experience, skills, and salary research warrants, there are still a few additional strategies you can employ.

Probably the best and most effective form of salary negotiation is simply to split the difference. Reiterate the fact that you feel the fit for the position is a solid one and that you can really get behind what they do as an organization. That being said, state that you are very interested in joining their team. Offer to split the difference in salary down the middle and say that this would be an acceptable figure.

Negotiating a sign-on bonus can be an effective strategy. It’s a one-time expense for the employer and could be a short-term solution to accepting a lower starting salary.

Another way to increase compensation is to demonstrate you can do more than the job requires. Adding duties can justify an increase in pay and possibly assist the employer in that it may eliminate hiring another person or giving even more responsibility to an already overloaded employee.

Also consider the benefits package. People seeking employment need to remember company-paid health insurance, profit sharing, vehicle allowances, stock options, discounted stock purchasing plans, a 401K and other perks all have a dollar value and should be considered part of the total compensation.

You may also want to ask for a six-month review as opposed to the standard 12-month (or in some cases, no review at all). You can start for less and then demonstrate your value to the organization by exceeding the boss’ expectations. After six months, request a review of your compensation. Keep a record of your accomplishments and prepare a short proposal detailing what you have done to this point and how it has affected the company.

You can also shoot for an increase in non-monetary rewards, like more vacation time with pay or some extra three-day weekends. Yet another option is to try to negotiate a stake in the company–stock options–or an increase in the stock options (and perhaps an accelerated vesting schedule) you’ve already been offered.

When negotiating a salary, be reasonable and flexible. Nobody wants to hire a pain in the butt! Don’t let your ego get in the way of a great opportunity because you aren’t being offered top dollar. Getting what you’re worth in the current market means researching what you’re worth and presenting your case with tact and professionalism.

I recently received a call from a local Denver employer who was planning on releasing 50 full time employees.  The cuts came as a result of a merger between them and their largest competitor.  The company wanted to offer career outplacement services for their released employees as a way of maintaining good will and assisting their former staff in jump starting their job search.

The fact is, workforce reduction is an ongoing event in Colorado and elsewhere, and shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.  Today’s economic model is one of capricious ebbs and flows with companies now needing to change directions at light speed or risk losing ground to the competition.  As costs to produce products and services increase, companies are continually looking for effective ways to manufacture or provide a quality product or service at a fair price and maintain their competitive advantage.  Sometimes, this means doing more with less and reducing the workforce and/or shipping certain jobs overseas, also known as “outsourcing.”

The positive news is that most people look back favorably on their release in that it allowed them to further define what they are truly looking for in their career and life and then actually pursue it.  I should know, the reason I started Ascend Career and Life Strategies is because I was laid off back in 2001.  Looking back, it was one if the best things to happen to me as I was shaken out of my complacent, cushy, C+ worker state and forced to take action.  So if I haven’t said it in a while, a big THANK YOU to my last employer for laying me off.

I’m not saying starting your own business is the only way to go after a layoff. My challenge to you is to take the opportunity to grow, get better, and at the very least, determine what it is you can really get jazzed and excited about!

Based on proven client strategies and techniques for turning a layoff into a victory in a challenging job market and tepid economy, here are FOUR ACTION STEPS that you can employ immediately to turn a setback into a springboard and launch yourself to the next level:

1. Stay positive, stay focused, and develop a proactive mindset.

For many people, shock, anger, resentment, negativity, and sometimes even depression can all be byproducts of a layoff.  But the bigger problem is the devastating effects that becoming habitually negative and pessimistic can have on our attitude towards work, the job search, and our life.

The more we dwell on any subject, good or bad, the more we program ourselves to move in that direction—just like a guided missile.  Continually dwelling on what happened, how it happened, why it happened, and running scenarios back and forth thorough your mind like a tape player will only make matters worse and set you back even further.  Certainly we are all human and have human emotions.  It’s okay to get angry, upset, mad, etc., the key is not to D-W-E-L-L on it.  Accept it even for what it is and resolve to move on.  This takes practice, patience, and self-discipline.  The more you dwell, the more you program yourself to achieve your own self-fulfilling prophecy.  Nature is neutral which means we don’t get what we want in life, we get what we expect and what we think about all day long.

Stay positive by embarking on productive activities that give you the greatest levels of pleasure and boost your self-esteem.  Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you.  Take some time to write out new goals.  Use positive affirmations and read motivational material on a daily basis.  You need support right now, not critics, so try to minimize your exposure to pessimistic people.  Ditch the negative mindset and employ an attitude of positive expectancy.  This is step one in making any successful job, career, or life-altering change.  Get involved in a volunteer activity as a means of keeping your skills sharp, networking, and giving back to your community.  You’ll feel terrific when you feel like you are making a difference!

2. Approach the job search as a full time job.  Set daily goals, to-do’s, and make a schedule.

Look at the job search as an opportunity to better and further your professional career.  Most people never take the needed risks to make exciting changes in their life until they are finally forced to the front lines via a layoff or firing.  Use this time as a means for reevaluating your key strengths, skills, and interests, and how you can parlay them into a BETTER position.  Don’t just settle for what is thrown your way, be proactive and carve out a more fulfilling career!

Approach your search as a full time job, listing and planning out all the key elements of a successful job search.  They may include things like researching companies, networking, tuning up your resume, looking for viable positions, assembling cover letters, portfolios, and business plans, and devising an interview strategy.  There is a lot to do and stay busy with when the job search is done right!  Block out days and times when you’ll accomplish each task.  Regularly schedule meetings and lunches with old coworkers and networking contacts and develop momentum.  You’ll feel better about yourself and how you are spending your time when you stay productive and maintain a regular schedule.

3. Don’t rely on just one or two job search methods—employ a multi-faceted approach.

One of the biggest faux pas’ I see is that job seekers seem to always gravitate towards the simple and easy.  Certainly the internet and putting the word out to friends and peers all have some merit in the job search.  But the most effective job search strategy in any type of economy is contacting the companies you want to work for as 70-80 percent of all jobs go unadvertised.  This means companies that you want to work for are looking for good candidates but simply may not be advertising their open positions.

Employ a multi-faceted approach when looking for potential positions.  Much like an automobile engine, your job search will run better when all cylinders are firing at once rather than just one or two.  In addition to using the internet, networking, and recruiters, assemble a target list of companies you are interested in working for.  Also, ensure you have a strong social media strategy for your job search. LinkedIn and Twitter are the two best sites to be on for any job seeker. Tapping into the hidden job market is the only job search strategy where the odds are actually with you.

4. Go to work on YOU.  Embark on a self development plan to sharpen your skills and take your game to the next level.

A down period in your employment is a golden opportunity to take a class, get some professional career assistance, attend some seminars, take an assessment test, or do some volunteer work.  Many of these resources are low cost or even free.  Unfortunately, most people are comfortable with the status quo and don’t put forth any effort to sharpen their skills or assess their career direction, even during a layoff.

The people who are paid more money, promoted faster, and usually the last to be let go are the ones who are learning and growing at a faster rate than everyone else and can contribute the most value to their company.  It doesn’t happen by accident; these people have a plan for success and continually view themselves as an ongoing project—just as a pro athlete trains and practices everyday to further sharpen their game and skills.

So take some time and revisit your goals, both personal and professional.  Where do you want to go?  What is your next career move and how are you going to get there?  Then, when asked during your next interview what you have been doing during your work hiatus, you will be armed with the bulletproof answer of improving yourself, your skills, and assembling a plan for taking your career to the next level.  Making a commitment to professional development and self improvement can be the single-most powerful decision you can ever make on your path to achieving greater success in work and life.

*****

So if you have recently been laid off, terminated, or maybe see the possibility of reductions looming in your future, stay ahead of the curve and employ a proactive attitude.  Assemble a plan to take your career to the next level.  Set new goals and commit to lifelong learning and continual professional and personal improvement.  Use this opportunity as a positive springboard to bigger and better things.  Remember, it’s not what happens to us in life, but what we do with what happens!

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I recently read a CNNMoney.com article about how 1.2 million people are out of work but have become so discouraged that they’ve quit looking. The article went on to say that these non-lookers, now officially called “Discouraged Workers,” are not even counted in the unemployment statistics because they haven’t’ actively looked for new employment in more than four weeks.

Sometimes the media really ticks me off. Here’s a direct quote taken from the article: “Still, there’s not much hope out there for this segment of the unemployed. There are five workers for every available opening.” Wow, not much hope out there, so I guess the only other option is to Q-U-I-T. One question: How does one protect their home, credit score, keep food on table, and pay for the occasional $15 summer movie if we quit?

Technology has given us some tremendous conveniences. It has also caused some of us to become averse to hard work and good ‘ol fashioned elbow grease. Yes finding a good job takes HARD WORK. But so does achieving any worthwhile goal. Ask any successful author, business owner, athlete, or professional from any industry for that matter.

I can appreciate hard facts and statistics regarding who is hiring who and how the U.S. is performing economically.  But to tout quitting as an alternative like some kind of avante garde fashion trend is just plain bad press. The whole “sky is falling” mentality the media likes to quip about provides more validation for the average job seeker to simply give up.   I guess Don Henley was right, everybody loves dirty laundry!

Here’s an interesting fact: 99% of all U.S. millionaires are independent business owners and business professionals–who are very good at what they do.  Only 1% of U.S. millionaires won, inherited, or “fell” into the money in some form.  The vast majority have worked extremely hard to get where they are now.

My advice to you: do not “quit” under any circumstances.  Stopping and starting your efforts will exponentially add more time to your job search.  As a career coach who works with hundreds of individuals like you each year and conducts public speaking events for thousands more, I have worked with all sorts of tough cases.  The number one common denominator among all clients who have landed a solid position is the quality of persistence.  They simply resolved to never give up!

Today, a professional who is a specialist in a particular area or trade will win the job over a jack-of-all-trades type candidate.  The fact is that most of us do have experience and relevant skills in a number of different areas.  However, if you want to increase your chances for success in today’s highly competitive job market, you must focus your skills and expertise in one or two occupational areas known as personal brands.  All documents, communications, and positioning statements should be prepared with this in mind.

The job search mentality used to be one of carpet-bombing employers with your resume.  Not anymore.  The philosophy behind a winning approach is high quality, not high volume.  You need to clearly understand each employer’s needs and then construct a strategy as to how you will address those needs; both on paper and in-person.

Here are FIVE CUTTING-EDGE and PROVEN strategies for 2010 that will help differentiate you from the job search masses:

1. Contacting Companies of Interest: How do you locate positions that exist only in the minds of directors, vice presidents and company leaders?  70-80% of all jobs are never advertised according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  By assembling a target list of companies and then detailing a strategy for reaching the hiring manager, mining the hidden job market can be a powerful job search technique. Employ a solid social media strategy using sites like Linked In and Twitter and utilize your personal networking contacts to reach out to key company representatives and to network your way to informational and job interviews. Compared to 200-1 odds for landing your next position via a major job board, contacting companies of interest is the only job search strategy where the odds are actually with you.
2. The V-Letter: One such strategy to lessen your chances of ending up in the “discard stack” is called the V-Letter.  This document is a short letter that compares your qualifications with the employer’s requirements for the job.  It uses the same concept as a cover letter with the only difference being that you are replacing the middle paragraph (the “body” of the cover letter) with a “skills table” drawing parallels to the company’s requirements and what you have to offer.  It’s brief and concise enough to catch the reader’s eye with highly relevant material within those first crucial seconds. “Connect the dots” and make it crystal clear that you are a solid fit for the job.
3. Customize Your Resume: It is absolutely imperative that your resume be customized for the specific position that you’re applying for.  Do not allow the hiring manager to make the assumption that you will be a good fit for the position. Currently, greater than 50% of all organizations are now using some sort of an automated keyword scanner which makes customizing your resume even more imperative.  Work in relevant keywords, phrases, and buzzwords (provided you can validate them!) taken directly from the job description to increase your chances.
4. The Job Businesses Plan: A Job Business Plan is a two to three page mini-business plan you present to the prospective employer during the interview or, in certain cases, before the interview phase.  It is designed to show them that you took the time to assess their business needs, perhaps by speaking with an inside coach or the hiring manager, and have used your creativity and business intellect in designing a results-based action plan to offer solutions.
5. The Brag Book: A Brag Book is a professional portfolio—usually a three-ring binder with page protectors—that details documented academic and professional achievements.  By employing this strategy and presenting it during an interview, you are stating to Company X that you are someone who always does more than expected, are a high-achiever, and approaches your job in a very well organized and pragmatic manner.

For the job market in 2010, more than anything else, you need to distinguish yourself from the masses.  Many published job openings on the internet can receive hundreds (and in some cases thousands) of responses. The bigger question is are these posted openings still available or even legit?  You need to package, bundle, and market yourself as the ideal fit for the position you’re applying for.  You need to market yourself as a specialist at what you do.  You need to pay special attention to details and show the prospective employer that you are not simply your average run-of-the-mill employee.

I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something, something I can use
People love it when you lose, they love dirty laundry

Dirty laundry may sell eyeballs but it’s not the whole story. I work with people every day who’ve made successful career changes and have landed solid jobs. Stay focused, stay motivated, and by all means stay in the game!

Want some free samples? Contact us at info@ascendcareers.net for a sample V-Letter, New Rules Resume, Job Business Plan, and Brag Book Checklist.

Donald J. Strankowski Jr. is founder and president of Ascend Career and Life Strategies, a training and consulting firm for businesses, professionals, executives.  He works out of Boulder, Colorado and can be contacted at 303-245-7049, via email at don@ascendcareers.net, or on the web at www.AscendCareers.net

I recently took an entire Sunday afternoon and cleaned out my walk-in closet.  The task, which elicited the same level of excitement as being rolled in honey and fed to fire ants, was vastly overdue as the last time I went through my wardrobe was sometime during the Clinton administration.

As I sorted out the clothing in into their respective piles of “gone, maybe, and stay,” I realized the task was also a bit sentimental.  With a lump in my throat and queezy feeling in my stomach, I piled for donation among other things, Wisconsin Badger and Chicago Bear sweatshirts, an array of Cosby sweaters, banded collar shirts, 80’s rock band gear (Dokken and Whitesnake made the cut and stayed), and obnoxiously patterned polo shirts.  Each piece had a story and a place in my history, and with some items, I felt like I was losing an old friend.

But times change.

As a career coach who speaks with hundreds of individuals each year, I often find the same holds true for many job seekers.  Some are all too tied to search strategies that, like my much of my now former wardrobe, were also last effective sometime during the Clinton administration.

We all have a tendency to hold on to comfortable behaviors, beliefs, and practices.  I use a BlackBerry, but just can’t seem to part with my good old Day Runner pencil-and-paper-style planner either.  But in the job search, what may have been effective just a few years ago in terms of getting you noticed and getting you hired, may not work at all right now.

The rate of change in the job market and all things business is more rapid now than ever before, so I have kicked the job searching skills into high gear to share what’s hot, what’s not, what’s in, what’s out, what’s new and now, and what’s sooo yesterday.

Never fear!  You no longer run the risk of being a trend-gone-wrong “job search leisure suit.” I have taken out all of the guesswork, and lucky for you… Ascend Career and Life Strategies knows What’s Hot and What’s Not and most of all, what WORKS real-time for getting you hired in 2010!

What’s NOT

Job Boards: Do you always bet the long shot? The odds of successfully navigating the application and subsequent interview process and ultimately winning the job via a posting on a major internet job board are about 200-1 (you’re better off taking 8-1 on Tiger entering the monastery).  That means for every one person who lands their next gig via the Big Board, 199 others are finding work through some other method, usually networking and word-of-mouth.

Generic Resumes and Standard Cover Letters: There is simply too much competition right now for the good jobs among highly qualified applicants to take a bland, vanilla approach.  Utilizing a chronological resume that describes you as a jack-of-all-trades (and ultimately master of none) is a sure-fire method for ensuring a long job search.  Determine your respective job search targets and assemble a Branded Resume for each type of job you are pursuing. Couple it with a highly-focused and detailed cover letter or V-Letter where appropriate.

“Y2K Tactics”: Back in 2000, I would receive a voice mail from a recruiter at least once a week saying he’d found my resume posted on a job board and had an opportunity for me.  The interesting thing was is that my resume was outdated and mostly generic, but still garnering attention.  On occasions when I was actively looking for positions, I would surf the job boards and click “Apply Now” until my finger was sore, sending the same resume to any and every job that looked somewhat appealing…and it worked. But in 2010, less is more which means focusing on a few opportunities that are deemed a solid fit and then taking the time to produce A+ work when applying to the position; sending a highly customized resume and cover letter detailed to the job’s most important duties and responsibilities. “Connect the dots” and show that you are a solid fit!

C+ Work and “Pikers”: If there’s a silver lining in any economic downturn, it’s that companies are forced to trim their rosters keeping only the best of the best.  2010 is no place for professional pikers, clock-watchers, or C+ employees.  These are the worker-types that promote workplace apathy while compromising product quality, integrity, and service. They really ticked me off because I usually had to carry the extra load!  Ensure you’re the type who provides value for any organization and is constantly looking for ways to increase revenues, decrease costs, or both.  If you are constantly asking yourself, “How can I create more value for my company?” and resolve to produce only A+ work, you’ll be one of the first hired and/or last let go in any sort of economic downturn.

“The Generalist”: The job right now goes to the specialist not the generalist.  This is one of the most common job seeking gaffes that I see today; a job seeker who bundles and packages themselves too generally and casts a large net in hopes of landing “something.” This approach doesn’t garner results—at all—in today’s highly competitive job market.  Fishing for catfish in the Bering Sea would bring better results as the Deadliest Catch in the job search is not catching anything at all.

What’s HOT

LinkedIn: If you’re going to do business—any type of business—in 2010 you need a LinkedIn profile. Not a tool for posting pics of Scruffy the cat, LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site mainly used for professional networking. It has more than 50 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries worldwide.  You can build a network of solid professional contacts, conduct company research, and investigate key decision makers. You can also describe and summarize your brand, areas of expertise and work history, and search jobs.

Twitter: Twitter is a free social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers who are known as followers. Twitter can be used to help a job seeker build a brand and also to “follow” certain experts, companies, recruiters, and recruitment firms. You can also score some Twitter-only deals like half-price Frappuccinos (follow Starbucks) to combat the 2:30 lunch coma.

Blogs: Blogs are an excellent way to stay connected to your industry and occupation while you are looking for employment by subscribing to RSS feeds from certain blogging experts. Avoid going the route of the Smith-Corona typewriter and becoming obsolete by finding out who the real players are within your niche, sector, and industry and stay connected with the latest trends, technology, and information.

Events, MeetUp.com, Networking: Remember humans? You know, those fleshy creatures with arms and legs and eyeballs? In addition to social networking sites, if you’re not getting out there and building your brand through plain old fashioned face-to-face contact, you’re greatly reducing your chances of finding an ideal position. More people are hired via networking than any other job search technique, so build that brand and make it a point to regularly attend functions, events, and meetings per your career objectives.

A Free Agent who produces only A+ work: The average tenure for today’s worker in any given position is 2-4 years or about the same shelf life as GMO veggies.  The Free Agent Mentality says that you will come in and do the best job possible producing only A+ work, leaving ego and any negativity at the door, because the minute you’re hired your days may be numbered.  That’s just the state of business today. Do the best job at all times now so you can leverage your successes, achievements and accomplishments in future interviews, when bolstering your professional portfolio, and for using your reputation capital in asking for referrals, references, and recommendations.

So there you have it.  My best advice for what works and what doesn’t right now, real-time, in 2010.

But hey, I’m sentimental too.  I enjoy 70’s and 80’s reruns and even wear my Walter Payton throwback football jersey on occasion.  So when you’re done sending out a few tweets, checking MeetUp.com, and customizing your resume, go ahead, put on the shiny, clinging shirt and stretchy Lycra pants and pop in Saturday Night Fever…on Beta.  You can also snuggle up with your favorite pet rock and watch an episode of The Partridge Family when the movie’s over.  Check your TV Guide for local listings.  Just don’t forget about the Jiffy Pop on the stove!

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Do have any retro or throwback comments concerning the job search? Where’s the last place you actually saw a payphone?  Anything to add to the What’s Hot/What’s Not list? How about your favorite 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s reruns?  Maybe a classic piece of apparel that you just don’t have the heart to part with?

Your comments are welcome—we want to hear from you!