Overcome job search paralysis

By Vicki Hidde, The Resume Source

You know you need to spend more time managing your career, but for some reason you can't get motivated. You read online newspapers, listen to network news, see the pain of the jobless and then you asked yourself, "What is the use? There are no jobs!"

Perhaps anger or fear of failure is keeping you from using the latest smart phone or mobile apps to identify potential employers and job opening. You may be angry at the economy, or you may be angry with yourself because you don't have the training to land a lucrative position. You may be angry with your previous employer for an array of reasons. If you are angry because you don't understand the latest technology, either find someone who does and build a bridge or dig deep and master the technology.

On the other hand, you may be fearful of failure. While many professionals embrace change with a sense of expectation, frequently the job seeker experience waves of doubt, fear , hesitation, misgivings, panic, devaluation of self-worth, depressions among others. Yes, change is unsettling, and job change more so!

Exploring the many postings online can side track and demoralize even the most seasoned professional in the job hunt. So many choices, too little feedback in today's job search landscape, what five things can the active job seeker do to jump-start their career?

• Identify 25 companies in your local market that realistically can used your skills and then search your contact base, perform contact mining, and reach out to people who may know someone within these organizations. If you can't find someone to introduce you to a decision maker, you need to improve your networking skills. You may accomplish this by contacting a temporary agency, recruiters and other center of influence.


• Investigate each company's website and make application. At this point, your search has just begun. You need to ask yourself, who cares when a top performing candidate is hired. Not all decision makers have the same sense of urgency. If you can identify whose job or jobs are impacted by the open positions and you can locate their email, LinkedIn, or other method of contact, you may be able to build a bridge to the relationship that you need to earn the hiring authorities trust and confidence.


• There are times that you need to schedule an informational interview to obtain suggestions on how to target top tier companies and win the position. Your contact my ask for you to follow-up at a designated time. If you want someone to help you find a job, put a high-impact resume in his or her hands. Be the person that they would want to recommend. Courtesy, gratitude and commitment to deliver results can and will distinguish you from your peers.


• Prepare and exude confidence during all phases of the interview process. Remember the interview begins with telephone and email contacts. A Professional voice mail and email address is the a key to showing your business presence. If you are getting calls or emails to schedule an interview, but not landing the job, you need an interview coach. You need to develop three to five questions to ask during the hiring process. Companies have learned that candidates put down their guard after about 90 minutes. Make a good first impr
  ession, along with a lasting positive impression, that says, "I can deliver results."
• Scheduling three to five interviews each week will land you a position. By aggressively attacking the job market, you will know what questions to expect and how to develop appropriate answers that will display your confidence and credibility. Ask for the job. Remember to say thank you.

Inactivity will paralyze your job search. You can turn things around and regain strengths. Employers are looking for resilient and engaged employees who understand business and take the initiative to deliver results. Everyday recruiters tell me that a well-written resume, opens doors. However, it is up to you to get the job. If you have questions, contact me at vickihidde@resume-source.com.

For over 18 years, Vicki Hidde has been fortunate to work with professional clients every day who face the challenge of preparing a résumé. Not just any résumé, but one that will pinpoint their most marketable skills, capture the attention of the employer or recruiter and provide the foundation for financial growth and career development. Her career began as a Consultant for Professional Resume Service (later CareerPro), a national career development and résumé service with more than 500 locations. Later, she was promoted to regional director over the five southern states and then to division director with responsibility for career centers in 28 states. With well-developed contacts in the personnel industry and with human resource managers, she has provided in-house workshops on career management, as well as outplacement and termination assistance programs for companies ranging from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Learn more at resume-source.com.