Not seeing results in your job search?

If you're job search is stalled, try the following job search strategy:

1) Identify your job targets. Your job target consists of a function/position, industry, and geographic location. You may have several job targets.
2) Develop your "Two-Minute Pitch" (aka elevator speech) for each target.
3) Research to identify companies which match your job targets.
4) Network to locate individuals who either work at those companies or know someone who works at them.
5) Contact the folks you come up with in #4.
6) Tweak your resume to fit each target.
7) Utilize on-line and off-line networking.
8) For those times when you have no one within your network that works at the targeted companies, make a direct contact with the hiring manager.

Your goal is to come up with a list of 200 positions (not necessarily openings) from the companies you have identified. Work your network to get introductions to folks within those companies.

Trying this strategy should give your search a jump-start.

How committed are you?

I came across the following quote today,

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." - Art Turock

If you're in a job search, how committed are you to landing your next job? Do you find yourself spending an hour here or there in your search and wonder why you aren't seeing results? Take an honest look at how you are spending your time and on what activities you are performing. If you're simply relying on the Internet, get out and do face-to-face networking too. Mix it up!

Perhaps you're interested in advancing in your career. What steps are you taking to ensure you move up on the proverbial ladder? Give it more than lip service by taking action today.

Online Social Networking Tools for Introverts

Are you an introvert? Networking can often be difficult for introverts. Check out the following article with tips on how introverts can use online social networking tools.

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2007/12/09/social_networking_tools_give_introverts_opportunities_to_connect_lift_careers/

The 10 Questions Every Change Agent Must Answer

Are you a leader? With the current economic conditions, change is every present. Change isn't easy, even if it's for the best. One question leaders should ask themselves is, "Do you see opportunities the competition doesn't see?" To be successful with change, check out this Harvard Business Publishing article with the other nine questions leaders can ask themselves regarding change.

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/taylor/2009/06/the_10_questions_every_change.html?cm_mmc=npv-_-TOPICEMAIL-_-JUN_2009-_-LEADERSHIP1

Surround Yourself With Good Energy

by Ali Brown

Have you ever felt down after chatting with a friend or coworker? You may have felt fine before the conversation, but now, after hearing them complain about the weather, the economy, and a demanding neighbor or mother-in-law, you're starting to feel kind of cranky yourself, as if their negativity were somehow contagious.

Actually, you can catch a negative (or positive) attitude from the people around you. According to the well-known psychiatrist and energy guru Dr. Judith Orloff, who wrote the bestseller Positive Energy, our bodies are made of flesh and blood, but they're also composed of energy fields. Negative energy like fear, anger, and hopelessness drags us down and drain our energy, but positive energy, like compassion, courage, and forgiveness, improves our mood and our well-being.

The law of attraction states that people either sense our positive energy and gravitate towards us, or they feel our negative energy and shy away from us. Those around us influence how we feel and can even impact the direction our lives take. Positive people can improve your life, while negative people (also called "energy vampires") just drag you down.

* "Energy vampires" suck the life out of you. Spending time with people who constantly complain or make negative remarks only makes us feel listless and despondent. These "energy vampires" tell us we'll never get our business off the ground or that our dreams are unrealistic (possibly because they can't bear to see others succeed where they have failed). Spend too much time with a complainer and you'll start to believe what they tell you.

* Positive people energize you. The more time you spend surrounded by positive people, the more you'll internalize their cheerful, upbeat attitude and start spreading it around. Positive people make your goals seem attainable and give you a boost of energy when you need it. They don't dwell on small setbacks or waste time complaining about things that are within their power to change. With an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to try new things, they can handle virtually anything.

While we sometimes have to deal with negative coworkers or relatives, it's up to us to choose the other people in our lives. Ask yourself how you feel after spending time with someone. Do you feel energized and inspired? Or does lunch with a certain "friend" leave you feeling restless and unfulfilled?

If the latter, then it's time to develop friendships with people who support your goals and spread positive energy. These people will provide wisdom in times of trouble and inspire you to reach greater heights in moments on self-doubt. Seek our people and organizations that promote action and service to the community, because there is nothing more uplifting than helping others.

As you spend more time with positive people and distance yourself from negative ones, you'll feel your spirits lift and your goals coming into focus. You, in turn, will become a more positive person - someone others want to spend their time with.

© 2009 Ali International, LLC

Self-made multimillionaire entrepreneur Ali Brown is devoted to creating financial freedom for women globally through the power of entrepreneurship. To learn how to create wealth and live an extraordinary life now, register for her free weekly articles at www.AliBrown.com

Drop in Experienced CEOs on Corp. Boards

The percentage of new hires to U.S. corporate boards who are experienced CEOs has dropped from 53% in 2000 to under 20% today, according to research conducted by Dennis Carey, a senior partner at Korn/Ferry International.

To read the whole story, use the following link:
http://hbr.harvardbusiness.org/2009/06/the-audit-committees-new-agenda/ar/1?cm_mmc=npv-_-DAILY_STAT-_-JUN_2009-_-STAT0617


Source: Harvard Business Publishing

Deloitte Increasing Women Partners

Women are still lagging behind in most fields in regard to leadership positions. Deloitte LLP announced this week that it has reached 1,000 women partners. Read more:

http://jobsinthemoney.blogspot.com/2009/06/women-partners-vs-directors.html