Sweet Aromas

I must start off this blog with the sweet beginnings of my work day downtown. Anyone who knows Specialty's knows that their sweet fresh baked aroma awakens the senses from a distance away. I love that smell and feel better when headed out of the subway station because of the convenient location of the Montgomery one. Thank you for doing what you do Specialty's. Maybe one of these days I'll buy one and try out the other sense and see how good the cookies taste.

But really, this blog is to serve the purpose for the readers that are job searching right now. This morning the unemployment rate has risen from 8.9 to 9.4%, YIKES! This is scary times for many people out there. Everyone has tips, but I would like to share mine.

Step 1:
Determine if you are looking for a job to pay some bills or you're looking for a career. These are 2 different search strategies. Personally, I realized soon after my career search that I had to also do a generic job search.

Step 2:
In the career search, it's important to look at what you want to do etc, but also to stretch how you normally think. The reason why is, because nothing is how it normally is.

Expansion on Step 2:
> Attend Events. What kind you ask?
Associations, Alumni Events, Friends' Get-Togethers, Conferences (volunteer at a conference), Luncheons with successful people
> Email Campaign - informing people that you're happily searching and could use help on leads and ATTACH YOUR RESUME and be specific on what you're looking for.
> Accept all part time work you can get, because A.) you need the money and B.) it might transpire into a full time gig before your eyes and of course C.) new skills to add to the bag.

Step 3:
Be a Sleuth! Look for jobs that haven't been posted yet. So ask your friends for openings and be the first to knock on HR's door. Get referred by an employee. This might be the only way to really compete with the massive competition out there for jobs. Also don't look for the jobs at companies that are well known because everyone is looking there too. Look for the unknown companies and be the one that gets interviews.
I can't remind you enough to be flexible and to let go of only striving for Top Fortune 500 companies. I had to let go of this dream and have been very productive ever since.

However, if you not willing to let this go. I understand. Apply for contract work with these companies and seek out their temp agencies that they work through. This has proven to be successful for others that I know of.

Step 4:
Link with everyone you can with Facebook and Linked In etc. But solely using that won't quite cut it. It must be a culmination of being active that will get you on the right path.

Enjoy these ideas. Best of luck and if you refuse work in hopes of a full time position, you have to weight out the risks for yourself and do what is best.

All the Best,
MBA Marketing Guru