When listening to the news or reading a newspaper, it is easy to get distracted from your career goals this season. From new record unemployment rates to the seasons hottest gift giving ideas we are often led one way or another by the media. Nobody knows what's next, everyone however is trying to convince you that they know what you should be doing right now. Marketeers, retailers, service providers, all the entities that are focused on getting our attention just don't get it. In today's new energy, it is no longer about what they can give us, it is all about what we can give ourselves. Here are some suggestions on how to stay focused on your immediate goals:
1. Do something outside of your normal routine this month. Consciously agree to change a habit, something you do unconsciously everyday. For example, if you are looking for a job, instead of getting on the internet searching for the perfect job, call a friend or an old colleague and tell them what is going on with you. Share "you" and what you are looking for in the new year. What would you share with them? Write it down.
2. Spend an hour or two a week helping someone else. Take yourself out of "your world" and share "you" with a local charity or animal rescue agency or helping a neighbor with thier christmas lights. What do you have to share? Write it down.
3. Accumulate your notes from the two activities above and integrate them into your resume. Capture those attributes, the gifts and the talents that you shared. What does it look like? Are you looking for the right position? Does it open you up for new and different opportunities?
If you can achieve these three things in the month of December, you will have networked, targeted a position and marketed "you", the 3 critical strategies necessary in a successful career search. Yes, when we share who we are and what we have to offer, our job searching tasks can be more focused and enjoyable!
Happy Holidays!
Dennece
