TAKE-AWAY: It pays to touch base with people repeatedly. While finding a job may be your main priority, helping you find one isn't theirs. So, contacting them politely but repeatedly can get results.
#5 - Be a F.A.N. of all those who take the time to connect with you personally or helps you in any way. F.A.N. stands for Flexible, Appreciative, and Nice. As people e-mailed us with questions and concerns, we jumped at the chance to treat them well by communicating we were willing and able to do whatever it took to make them feel good about their decision to be a part of this fundraiser. We also repeatedly thanked anyone who helped us. We wanted to make sure they knew we were very, very grateful for their support and that the event wouldn't be a success without them - which was easy to say because it was the truth!
TAKE-AWAY: If someone, ANYONE takes the time to talk to you about your job search, thank them. Even if you don't like their advice or suggestions, it's important to make them feel like you listened and are grateful for their willingness to help you. In this day and age, getting help from others deserves the highest praise.
#3 - With any setback, acknowledge the error - and then look for the upside. We encountered a lot of SNAFUs as we planned this event. We'd be rich if we had a nickel for every time one of us said, "Hmmm, guess we should have done that differently," or "Gee, didn't see that coming." But, instead of getting frustrated, we just looked for a solution and moved on. There just wasn't any time to get discouraged or complain.TAKE-AWAY: Job search is like hitting home runs, you're going to strike out a lot in your effort to hit the big one. Besides, there is no such thing as failure; just opportunities to learn and grow. Accept what happens and move on.
#4 - Celebrate every little victory. My co-chair and I would get excited about the littlest accomplishment. We'd send each other high-five's and cheer each other on. That enthusiasm would inspire us on to each new task.TAKE-AWAY: Talk about your progress, no matter how small. It's important to stay positive because it affects your approach to job search and your ability to persuade others that you are a good hire.
#5- And finally, just BELIEVE. I know it sounds silly, but my co-chair and I would end our e-mail exchanges with each other almost every time with something like, "We're gonna do this," or "This is going to be awesome." And while we were cautiously optimistic, deep down, we both felt we could make it happen. There was never any discussion about giving up. There were never any excuses as to why it would be okay if we didn't succeed. We just kept focusing on doing our best so we could be proud of the end result, no matter what it was.TAKE-AWAY: Believe in yourself. You will find a job. You will move forward. One way or another, you will succeed, but only if you don't give up!
I hope this list inspires you to forget all the negatives you know about job search in 2009 and gets you to say, "She's right, I can do this." Why? Because you can. If you've got some other ideas on the subject, please share them below. How else can we act like we don't know any better?