Having a Hard Time Finding Work? This Will Help.

You might be looking for a job, but can't seem to land one. 

There are approximately 36 million Americans who are out of work. Most of those people will tell you work is hard to come by. They search and apply, they network and apply more and more, but never hear anything back. Is that you?

The reason might not be in your efforts, but in your resume. We recently worked with two individuals who both held executive positions at Fortune 500 companies. Both are highly experienced, credentialed and respected. 

They were looking for a career change and they did what many people do. They started applying to dream jobs via the internet, but to no avail.

Here's why: when you submit a resume online, it is processed through a software program with algorithms that are looking for very specific keywords. 

If your resume does not include those exact words, it is tossed before it ever reaches the eyes of a human being. 

When applying for a job, research the qualifications and description of that job and customize your resume to that position, using the same keywords. 

Newsflash: you don't have one resume. You have one resume template, which is then updated per job application. 

Does this overwhelm you? Give us a call today. We have certified resume reviewers waiting to help you find your next job. 

Give Your Team What They Need

In the last 9 months, work for most people has changed. Because of that, a new question has been asked by many leaders:

Do we maintain our focus on the big goal and stay the course, or do we adjust? 

And the answer is yes and yes. There are certain things that are out of our control, so we have to adjust. 

There are certain things that we are forced to do differently, but are finding that they are working better for our company, so we should adjust. 

Embrace those adjustments and keep the goal in mind. But break it down into smaller bite-sized pieces, so that your team can adjust quickly if they need to.  It also helps in uncertain times, because it gives them something to be focused on that will help them be productive.

When they are productive, they will feel more accomplished and that results in momentum moving forward. 

Things are weird these days...plain and simple.  You have the ability to create an environment that gives people back a sense of control. Be intentional to create and communicate weekly or monthly goals that will get you closer to where you’re headed. Weekly and monthly are very realistic right now. Your people will thank you for that. 

Does your company have a clearly defined and communicated short term goal? If not, don't hesitate. Send us a message today and we will help you craft a plan that is right for you.

Stop Lying to Yourself

I don't often laugh at my clients, but sometimes I have to shake my head and giggle. 

People come to me and say things like: 

"oh Laine, sales are in a slump”

"my project was not approved”

"my boss is mad at me”

"clearly, I am horrible at my job and I have to quit." 

No, you are not horrible at your job. You are just in a funk. It happens to everybody. You will have to push through and come out on the other side of this. 

How do we overcome these kinds of situations? The next time you are feeling a lack of confidence, ask yourself: what does evidence tell me?  Truth doesn’t lie.  

Consider things like:

-what do people say are my gifts? 

- Why did they bring me on to the team? 

- What have my accomplishments been here? 

Those are the kinds of things that are going to set you on the right path, because evidence will give you the confidence that you need. 

Don't let an unfortunate season determine your worth. Be confident in your gifts and in your abilities and you will weather the storm with grace and ease.

Right now, send this blog to someone that you know is in a funk and give them facts that prove why they are so wonderful. 

Work Less, Produce More

You need a break.

The Organization for Economic Development says that Germany and France are the top producing nations in the world. The United States - number three.

The reason might surprise you. They actually work less than we do. In Germany and France, all employees are required to take 30 days of vacation, whereas in America, there is no law mandating paid time off. They work less, but they produce more.

That's the secret. We have to rest. We have clients, every single day who want to discuss this and there has never been one client who has come back after taking some rest days and said, "man, I wish I hadn't done that.”  Every single time they say, "I'm so glad I did this.  I'm going to do it more."

We have to recharge. When we don't, we become stressed, we don't work as well and we become sick. 

Get up, go outside, take some days for yourself. This won't happen on its own. You have to be intentional about it. 

Take out your calendar today, set aside some days for rest and cling to them with your life. Nobody else is allowed to have them. 

If you need some help with balancing your work and your fun, go ahead, send us a message today.