Good news…
Private-sector employers hired 2.1 million people over the last year, with nearly every major sector adding jobs. (Reported by Marcus and Millichap Real Estate Investment Services on Thursday, May  3, 2012).

And, if you are still looking for a job – it is hard and you may wonder where are the jobs they are talking about.

Confidence is key when both applying and interviewing for a job. People like people who are easy to be around – have a good attitude. If you are bummed out, pessimistic and have given up, find someone to help you get a new attitude.

Attitude is critical.

Coach Colleen

LinkedIn Profile – Top 10 Buzzwords to Take Off Your Resume

Hello,

LinkedIn released its year’s most overused professional buzzwords. Some say not to use them in your LinkedIn profile and resume. Maybe – maybe not. Be judicious.

Yes, these words are overused if you are looking at millions of resumes, but you should only be concerned with your resume and the jobs you are applying for. This list is about LinkedIn profiles.

If a job description lists one of these words as a required or desired skill and that word describes you, use it. You are playing to individual employers not the universe of LinkedIn.

Here’s the list

– Creative

– Organizational

– Effective

– Extensive experience

– Track record

– Motivated

– Innovative

– Problem solving

– Communication skills

– Dynamic

Want to read more:  Time NewsFeed

Coach Colleen
I help you discover your worth and translate it into a winning resume – Confidence Coaching and Resume Writing

October Job Increase in Education and Health Services and Professional and business Services Sectors

The uncertainty of the election is over. In many ways, it doesn’t matter who won – what matters is that we know.

Not knowing is hard emotionally and that emotion flows into our entire lives including business.

Not all industries are increasing, so it’s not all good news.

What to take away from this is news is DO NOT put off looking for work until after the holiday season. A lot of jobs will be awarded between now and January 1, 2012. Don’t wait for unemployment to run low. The old saying “The Early Bird Gets The Worm” might be very appropriate here.

For more information on the sector numbers see http://blog.marcusmillichap.com/

Now we know, so jobs will begin to open up. It’s already started.

Seattle Property Management Related Jobs

Riverstoneres manages and rents high-rises, mid-rises, and garden-style apartments. They have several openings in Seattle, Kirkland and Auburn, WA (plus across the US).

I know nothing about the company, but it seems they are expanding in seattle and need groundskeepers to managers.

http://www.riverstoneres.com/Apartments/module/jobs/action/view_jobs_by_location/

Job Search Tip #39

It all started one year ago on June 1^st. Tom got downsized. He didn’t like how his boss treated him and he knew he was eligible for unemployment so he really didn’t care.

Tom wasn’t irresponsible. He had made some good decisions while he was getting a steady paycheck – he had saved enough to cover his expenses for a few months. He was feeling proud of this accomplishment.

Do you remember last summer in Seattle? I do. It was incredible – sunny and warm for weeks on end.

It only takes 1 bad decision

Tom immediately signed up for unemployment benefits. Then, Tom made a not-so-great decision. Tom decided to take the summer off and supplement his unemployment check with his savings.

Tom did apply for 3 jobs a week and did all the necessary paperwork to keep his unemployment checks coming. He even got interviews, but had applied for jobs he knew he wasn’t going to get. He also knew how to interview poorly so he wouldn’t be offered a job.

He had a great summer. He played and helped out his friends. He had a great tan on September 1^st when he decided to get serious about getting a job.

He applied and applied for jobs but didn’t’ get any interviews. It wasn’t too long before, Tom ran out of savings and started using his credit cards to supplement his unemployment check. Tom had stepped into the downward spiral of financial chaos and depression.

Fast forward 1 year …

It’s July 9^th and sunny in Seattle. It’s really, really hard to work on your resume when it’s 90 degrees outside. Walking on Alki Beach or sipping coffee in your favorite air conditioned coffee house is much more appealing.

Don’t borrow Tom’s thinking “I’ll just take the summer off and live on unemployment.”

Here’s tip #39 – Get a jump on all the Tom’s of the world and look for work more diligently in July and August. Wouldn’t it be better to sit in an air conditioned office all summer collecting a steady paycheck rather than sitting on the beach thinking you’ll get a job September 1? Think again!

Tom still isn’t working at the professional level he would like – 13 months later. Losing his home and his car loomed heavy on his mind, so he has taken lower paying gigs just to pay his mounting credit card bills.

Colleen Brady, ma, ms
Helping people discover and put their worth on paper – Confidence Coaching and Resume Writing

When a NO is really a YES

Excited a career coaching client emailed me saying a friend of his had a potential job opening at her company.

At the end of his next email (the location of depressing news), he said it was already filled. He had not had time to put in his resume.

Here was my response to him:

… Do not be sad or worry about the job at your friend’s company being filled, it’s just the beginning. And, in my book, getting a NO is actually a good sign – a great sign. I owned a technical writing company for 18 years and had to get work for 10 writers. I was always looking for jobs. To avoid becoming overwhelmed and depressed, I used a technique I learned from the Sales Guru Tom Hopkins.

I knew I would get every job I went after. Yet, it was a bummer each time I got a NO. Beyond thinking they lost out on a great writing company and sometimes being mad because I had put a lot of work into getting that job. It seemed I could either be depressed or angry. I needed another option.

I went to tons of sales trainings and learned both good and questionable sales techniques. Here is one that I have never forgotten.

I figured out how many NO’s I had to get before I get a YES.

Let’s say I would get 1 out of every 7 jobs I interviewed for. That means that by the numbers, I needed 6 NO’s before I would get a YES. In my mind, I would say to the NO’s – thanks for the NO because that NO got me on step closer to a YES. I need 6 NO’s to get one YES.

I would verbally say to the NO, thank you for your time, and I’ll check back in a few months to make sure your project is going smoothly. And, I would indeed check back.

So thanks to Tom Hopkins, I discovered an emotional reaction other than depression or anger – GRATITUDE.

In many ways, finding a personal job is like finding a job for a business – you will get a few NO’s before you get a YES. Consider sending a thank you note to your friend for thinking of you. And, if it is a job you really want, don’t give up so easily. Send a thank you note to the person who did the hiring or the manager of the new hire saying something like this ‘I heard about this job too late, but if you ever need another person here is my resume. I’d love to come in and introduce myself if that would fit into your schedule. I know you are busy, and I would not take more than 10 minutes of your time.’

Then follow up.

Coach Colleen
Helping people put their value on paper

How To Attract The Perfect Job?

Without your knowing it, your energy field attracts or repels people. And, YES jobs!

You have probably overheard someone mention energy fields. But were you aware that how you think determines the vibe you give off … and creating the right vibe is one of the best kept secrets for how to attract the job you want.

Without your knowing it, your energy field attracts or repels job opportunities.

Create a force field for attracting the right job, that perfect job – for you

Yes, you can create a force field for attracting the right job for you. It is all getting out of your routine and discovering who you truly are today. It is about letting go of who you think you should be based on all the things you consciously and unconsciously learned over the course of your lifetime.

You are like a radio beacon sending out energy in the form of radio waves. You cannot see the radio waves, but you know they are there. One of the secrets to attracting the right job is to boost your energy output – the right energy vibration that is.

7 tips to boost your force field

1. Get out of automatic response mode.
   Let go the past begin to consciously choose what the you of today truly wants.
2. Let go of all those should-a and could-a regrets. You cannot erase what you have done.
   Forgive yourself. Make amends if that helps. If you did something dishonest or regretful at a past job, donate to a charity that relates to your actions – a food bank, a school or a homeless shelter. Everyone has regrets. In this moment, you can choose to keep them or release them. Releasing them lets you be here and now.
3. Let go of past hurts, disappointments, and resentments that keep you stuck in yesterday by forgiving others. If a past boss was a jerk, forgive him or her. Remembering and holding onto resentments only hurts your future by binding you to someone you do not even like.
4. Be happy now, don’t plan to be happy. Live in the present.
   This doesn’t mean don’t plan your future, just don’t wait until your plan succeeds to be happy.
5. Discover your symbol for happiness in your job.
   Discover what a great job feels like in your mind and heart. This is a great way to get out of your analytical brain and discover your truest desires. Your symbol might be a still pond, a baseball game, a game of tennis or maybe the inside track of an auto race (i.e. a sublime calm setting or hectic and fueled by competition).
   What appeals to you, not as an actual job or field, but what you would feel like on a Tuesday afternoon if you were at your perfect job?
6. Embrace your symbol and live it every day. By living at the energy level of your chosen symbol, you magnetize your energy field for that level of job.
7.  Broadcast yourself. The real you is a marvelous person some employer IS looking for right now. If you are not being yourself, how can your next employer find you?

   Know what you are good at? What do you really want to do?

   Help employers find you? Don’t hide out as the old you. Be yourself every moment of every day and you will live happier ever after and, my friend, happiness is magnetic.

   Knowing what you are looking for is key to your getting your right next job. Having a symbol to remind you and embracing yourself and living from your symbol of your perfect-life super-charges your energy field and that is very attractive. You become magnetic!

Here’s where the fun kicks into overdrive.

You become so magnetic that you and your resume attract the attention of employers – those that are right for you AND those that are right for someone else. You get to consciously choose what job and what company fits your energy field not because they fit your salary requirements but because they tickle your heart and boost your life energy.

Then you are in control of your life! Live it up!

Coach Colleen

Feel free to leave question about your job search or your resume, and I’ll give you my two cents worth.

Tips for Writing Job Wanted Ad Headlines on Craigslist, online

Posting that you are looking for a job on CraigsList is a good thing to do… IF…

Tip: What NOT to do in your HEADLINE and why

FACT: Employers and recruiters rarely look at ‘I’ll do anything’ listings.

BACKGROUND: Non-verbal communication tells people a lot about you. How you dress is a key type of non-verbal communication.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR JOB WANTED POSITNG?  The wording of your headline is the written equivalent to the cloths you wear. And, it communicates a lot about you.

What ‘I’ll Do Anything’ says about you – and – what potential employers and recruiters might think about you.

• You are desperate.
• Did you get fired? Layed off? Why?
• You lack direction in your life.

Then they start making up a story about you without clicking onto your post:

• You probably won’t be a valuable employee.
• You don’t value yourself.
• You are not experience enough. I don’t have time to train a beginner level.
• You might not like what I have to offer after a few days.
• You change your mind at the drop of a hat. Then, I’ll have to do this all over.
• You might take my job and keep looking for something better. I want someone who will stay.

These stories lead employers or recruiters to conclude:

• I do not have time to click through to see if they can do what I need.
• I don’t need desperation-mindedness in my workplace.
• This person is just too risky to take a chance on.
• I’ll keep the headlines.

One last result for them is that they might be missing out on the perfect employee – you!

Result for you:

• Employers and recruiters do NOT click through to read more about you. They move on to the headline that matches their need.
• Your job placement ad is ineffective.
• You get more discourage thinking that you are not valuable.

I know that the conclusions they might jump to may be totally wrong, AND what matters is that they do not click to learn more about you.

How to Dress Your Headline for Success!

Figure out what kind of job you want and put that in your headline.

Remember ‘anything’ is not the right answer here.

Think about it, you would NOT do anything.

Try this exercise as a way of beginning the process of figuring out what you want to do/don’t want to do:

1. Look around at job listing – rule out what you are not willing to do and don’t want to do but would for a short period of time.
2.  Narrow ‘anything’ down by work type: office work, manual labor, skilled labor, technical, etc.
3. Keep narrowing it by industry: insurance, healthcare, hardware, software, engineering, gaming, etc.
4. Keep narrowing what you are willing to do, what you want to do until you have a job.

You can also approach your dilemma from this angle – Think about your ideal job then work backwards. Combine what you learned about what you don’t want with what you do want.

Narrow, narrow, narrow – be clear and specific. Then put that in the heading of your job listing. Apply for those types of jobs. Write your resume to fit that job.

Go find a career counselor. Try the community colleges. They have great programs.

If you want to try out some areas or professions, consider Temp Agencies.

 When I first came to Seattle in 1978, I only had $50 to my name. I was, you might say, desperate for work. I worked at a temp agency. I liked the work so much that after I was done with my contract, I started my own business doing technical writing. It launched a very lucrative career for me. 

It just might work for you too. Consider it research not a demotion. Once I stuffed 20% off signs in L’eggs Panty Hose eggs. After a few hours, I knew for sure that I did not want to do that job for the rest of my life, and it paid the rent that month. Do your homework.

When I was just out of high school, I wanted to be a medical technologist (lab technician). I got a summer job at the local hospital. I decided I didn’t want to do that for a career, and I paid my way through undergraduate and graduate school drawing blood and working in labs. It was a stepping stone and it paid the bills.

Take time to help employers and recruiters help you.

They are not career counselors. Recruiters want to help you find a job, not figure out what job to find. Help them help you be being clear. It will pay off.

Get help where you need it. We are often too close see beyond our immediate situation. I’m a professional coach and I’ve written resumes for people for over 20 years. I cannot write my own resume. I’m too close to my own emotions.

Find someone to talk to – a coach, a therapist or a trusted friend who will not tell you what they think you should do. Try the community colleges.

Ask me questions on this blog. It’s free.

Clarity rules,

Coach Colleen

Get Your Perfect Job: Are you who you think you are?

Hi,

Getting the job you want means getting to know yourself

Let me start by telling you a little story on myself. For 18 years I ran a technical writing business that served the engineering and consulting markets. I developed the concepts and base outlines for our projects and then the writing staff filled in the details.

This type of work was perfect for me. I did the process analysis work – right-brain creative stuff. The detailed work was what the writers loved. It was perfect for everyone.  

All things change

But the industry changed towards computer documentation which was of little interest to me. So, I sold that business and decided to create and sell my intellectual property online.

I thought I could do anything. I’ve run three successful businesses and everyone says ‘marketing on the internet is easy, is a snap!’ Silly, me I believed them. I believed that all my business savvy would translate nearly directly to the internet. Was I ever wrong!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve struggled as I tried to do all the tasks associated with internet marketing. I am a right brain person trying to do an intensely left-brain activity.

According the Strong Career profiles, I was not cut out to do online marketing – least favored career – computer analyst (internet marketing)

So, I’ve teamed with an internet marketer and have gone back to doing what I do best:

- I make connections between one area and another.
- I help people see their worth.
- Writing articles – creating even more intellectual property
- Coaching people while developing their resume.

I’m happier. I sleep better at night because I am doing what I like to do. I am doing what brings me joy and fulfillment. And, I’m making an excellent living. I don’t have to pay for advertising – I’m doing that right now by writing stories that help others learn about themselves.

The Moral of This Story

Figure out what you like, what makes you smile, what brings you joy and fulfillment?

Figure out what is your best career path. Take some of the inventories that are available in the marketplace. Hire a coach. Ask me a question – that’s free.

Take an inventory

You can take the Strong Inventory for a nominal fee at many Community Colleges. The same is true for the Meyers-Briggs Personality Profile. These do not categorize you as good or bad, employable or unemployable. They highlight your preferences – most favored and least favored career paths.

They will give you insights into your personality.  Most people when they get their results will say ‘that sounds just like me.’ It’s validation for what you already know. For many, it is permission to change and try something they have always wanted to try.

It’s is all about knowing yourself.

Life is all about discovering ourselves. We spend much of our life at work. It is my opinion that we should at least like what we do.

Start with defining one core strength that you bring to your work environment?  Does it feed your soul? Or, are you just good at it? Knowing the answer to that answer is key to your work happiness.

 Coach Colleen

P.S. My most favored career – college instructor (teaching adults ) – exactly what I am doing with my intellectual property.

Coach Colleen
I help you write great resumes.
Email Coach Colleen

Why have a resume?

Why bother with a resume? Well, people want them.

Yes, network. Networking is truly the best way to find a job. Talk to everyone you know well and to those you don’t know very well. Tell everyone you meet. Barista’s are a wealth of knowledge.

And, have a resume to back yourself up.

Reason #1 – It is respectful. You want to make hiring you as seamless as possible. So, have a great resume that speaks to your qualifications, skills, abilities, and accomplishments.

Then take that resume with you when you go on the interview for a job that only you are applying for. Remember, make hiring you as easy as possible – a good quality to have in an employee – making the boss’ job easier.

And, if you don’t have a resume and another candidate happens to come along that has a dynamite resume, the employer might just think twice. Worse yet, they might hire the other person.

Cover your bases.

Coach Colleen Brady

Professional Bragger
206-932-7100 (9am – 5pm Pacific Time, Monday -Friday)

Applied Communication Strategies, Inc.
Seattle, WA 98136

Professional resume writing and interview coaching.

We see your potential even when you can not.

Other sites by Coach Colleen Brady – Find Your Soul Mate with Coach Colleen’s process