Thinking about relocating for a job? Read this first...
I have a friend who was out of work for more than a few months. A job offer became available more than a few states away. Needing the job badly, he took it. After the company paid him to fly back and forth for a year (a great perk!), he now finds himself commuting every Monday and Friday – a drive that takes more than five hours. During the week, he stays in budget hotels and is away from his family.
He did not permanently relocate to the new city for a few reasons. First, he had a hard time selling his house, and second, his wife did not want to give up her career or home.
Relocating for a job can be hard, but sometimes it's the best option. As great as it is to have a job, my friend is sacrificing a lot commuting back and forth each week. So, as a job seeker, there are a few things to think about before accepting that job that is hours away.
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It's often a shock to the system when you first lose your job. Your routine is gone, there are no deadlines, and you are often alone in your home while the people you live with go to school or work. So, what happens now? A whole day in front on you – no deadlines, no commute, no projects to complete – what is the best way to go about your day? According to a recent poll by Climber.com, the job seeker's day is divided like this:
<ul class="ee-ul">
<li>Searching For Positions Online – 29.94%</li>
<li>Applying To Positions – 27.28%</li>
<li>Networking – 24.11%</li>
<li>Researching Companies – 12.89%</li>
<li>Working With A Recruiter – 5.56%</li>
</ul>
<strong>Network.</strong> It's interesting that searching for positions online tops the list, considering that 70% of all jobs are gotten through referral. That tells us that networking should be a job seeker's number one priority when it comes to spending his or her time. Reconnect with old colleagues and make a “bucket list” of the companies in which you'd like to work. This will give your job search structure.
<strong>Make your day manageable.</strong> No one should work eight hours a day job searching. It is not productive.
<strong>Try and start your day exercising.</strong> You finally have the luxury of going to the gym or for a run in the morning, take advantage of that. It will clear your head and get you going for the day.
<strong>After you workout, shower and get dressed.</strong> Staying in sweats all day is not good.
<strong>Create a plan.</strong> Sit down on Sunday night, carve out a schedule for the week, and write it down. Put it somewhere where you can see it. Your Monday might be workout 8-9, work on LinkedIn profile, and connect with 5 new people on LinkedIn. Do a task like that every day. Do something that takes a few hours with breaks then stop.
<strong>Do a different activity every day.</strong> Monday might be a company research day. Tuesday might be a networking day. Wednesday might be the best time to work on your written materials. Having a weekly routine will give you purpose and help you keep track of your job search. It gives you goals to attain and helps you measure how you are doing.
<strong>Get out of the house.</strong> Go to your kids soccer game, go to football parties, or take a class in something you always wanted to learn. You have a finite amount of time until the next job. By using your time wisely, the next job will come faster than you think.
<h2>Need more help? Check out our courses!</h2>
Want more? Check out our individual career courses! Learn all you need to know about job search, interviewing, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and so much more. <a href="http://www.careerealism.com/courses/">View our career course offerings here.</a>
<em>Post by Paula Munch</em>
<span class="credit">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.bigstockphoto.com/" rel="nofollow">Bigstock</a></span>
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The holidays are coming whether we like it or not. The holiday decorations are already up at Walgreen's and soon the Christmas carols will be blasting everywhere. So, how do you handle job search between Thanksgiving and Christmas - both mentally and strategically? Here are some things that might be going through your head as you prepare yourself for the holiday job search:
<h3>Thought #1 "I don't know what to say to relatives."</h3>
What do you do when your sister in law who is in town for Thanksgiving asks, "so, when are you getting a job?" after a few glasses of wine?
Fear not. Look her straight in the eye and say, "I am SO GLAD you asked me that question Betty Lou! It’s going really well. I am following a career plan and I hope to have a job very soon."
(Then, turn and walk to the desert table for a delicious piece of pumpkin pie.)
<h3>Thought #2: "No one hires between Thanksgiving and New Years."</h3>
Not true. Many companies are trying to fill roles before the end of the year. And, like trying to sell a home during the holidays, job seeker inventory is down, so you want to keep going! There is a great scene in the movie Kramer vs. Kramer when Dustin Hoffman has a job interview in the middle of a corporate Christmas party – it can and does happen.
<h3>Thought #3: "I have no money during the holidays."</h3>
No, it’s not fun, but it's temporary. The holidays are not about presents, as much as we are all bombarded by that. It's about family and togetherness, and taking the time to reflect and make a plan to get you hired.
<h3>Thought #4: "I am too embarrassed to go holiday parties."</h3>
GO to the party! Go to several! It's networking. You never know who might be there. You may strike up a conversation with someone who’s cousin runs one of your bucket list companies. It’s important to be out there in the world and make yourself visible.
<h3>Thought #5: "I feel all alone in this."</h3>
The holidays can do this to you if you are in job search mode. Meet an incredible group of people all going through the same process as you. There are strengths in numbers - you need support and encouragement.
Have a great holiday season. You can do this. Before you know it, this will be the Ghost of Christmas Past!
<h2>Need more help? Check out our courses!</h2>
Want more? Check out our individual career courses! Learn all you need to know about job search, interviewing, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and so much more. <a href="http://www.careerealism.com/courses/">View our career course offerings here.</a>
<em>Post by Paula Munch</em>
<span class="credit">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.bigstockphoto.com/" rel="nofollow">Bigstock</a></span>
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