Reminder #1

To survive office politics, do not gossip. Remember

the words of Benjamin Franklin:

“Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.”

 

MUCH OF WHAT YOU KNOW about Job Search JUST AIN’T SO

In this blog I will be sharing with you much of what I have learned about job search during 34 years as a psychologist, executive coach, corporate executive, career counselor and seminar leader. 

There are myths galore about job search in general, the best answers to interviewing questions, writing a powerful resume, networking, and negotiating salary. On this and subsequent blogs, we’ll take a look at the most popular myths and the successful strategies to use. You may learn that much of what you knew just ain’t true.

Myth #1 – One of the biggest myths about job search is the belief that you will find the most jobs available today on the Internet. That just ain’t so. Why? Because more than 85% of the jobs available never get advertised – not on the Internet, not in ads, not by recruiters. 85%! You only learn about those opportunities by networking.

“If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.” – Jonathan Winters

Strategy – Network with everyone you know (family, friends, acquaintances), everyone you meet (butcher, baker, candle-stick maker), and everyone they know. You are not asking for a job, you are asking for their advice, counsel, information. During my various careers, I learned that when you ask for a job, people often feel guilty when they can’t provide one. And they make a mental note not to take your next call or respond to your email. But when you ask for advice, you make them feel like a center of influence – a person who is important, influential and knowledgeable. Use this approch when you network.

I like to include information about other things you may know that just ain’t so. For instance, did you think that the coffee bean was a bean? Nope. It’s really a seed – the seed of the coffee plant – the pit inside the red or purple fruit.

Have you always believed that the Canary Islands were named after birds? Uh-uh. They were named after dogs – the fierce mastiffs that once inhabited the islands. Canis is the Latin root for dogs – canines.

 

FREE!  Would you like to read the first 14 pages of my just published book, “Much of What You Know about Job Search Just Ain’t So” at no cost? Then go to Booklocker.com and scroll down to the bottom of the first page. If you can’t find it, type in the title of the book.