What Do Job Hunting and Dating Have in Common?

Finding the perfect partner can be a daunting task…but it’s not unlike a process you might be very familiar with: job hunting. Much like a romantic relationship, job hunting starts with a first impression (like a first date) and is full of the same hurdles you’ll face in the dating world. How do you find the perfect company (or perfect partner)? What kind of company (or type of person) is best for you?

Considering how you look for a romantic partner may help point the way to finding the right employment match. And considering how much time you may end up spending at work, finding the right fit makes it just as important.

There are lots of different ways to connect. So, what’s your style?

The Hunt

Know what you want
Tall, dark, and white collar or windblown surf-ette, when it comes to a romantic partner we all know what we like without thinking too much about it. We’re attracted to people who ‘fit’ and ‘get’ us. The same is true about the kind of company you work for. It just may not be quite as intuitive and may take some soul searching to find out what you prefer.

Know where to find it
Ask all of your coupled friends how they met and you’ll get just as many answers! There are so many places to look for love — and employers — that you won’t go wrong looking at any and all of them. They key is to get out there and look everywhere. There is a reason it’s called a job hunt.

Do you know a friend of a friend who works at the company you have your eye on? Get them to introduce you! Networking is one of the oldest and best ways to find your perfect match. It holds the added bonus of having someone connected to vouch for you.

If you don’t know anyone associated with your heart’s desire, the vast resources of the Internet are only a click away. Just as online dating has come out of the dark corners of the Web to be a legitimate way to meet people, business networking sites are a great way to connect and research companies that you are interested in. And don’t forget to scan your local paper as well; your heart’s desire may already be under your nose and in your own community!

The Woo

Putting your best foot forward: The date (interview)

Do you remember the date who showed up late, smelly from the bike ride he/she had taken earlier in the day and who talked only of themselves? Yeah, I don’t either. I’m sure he/she was a great person but never got a second date because everything about him or her said, “I don’t care.” Don’t let that happen to you!

Once you have found ‘the one,’ it’s time to show your stuff. The interview is your ‘first date’ with this company. Present your best possible self by showing up on time, in your most polished and professional outfit and ready to charm. You want this company to know you’re into them! Let them know why you would be good together. Similar to a first date, don’t hog the conversation. You will be answering questions about yourself, sure, but be as succinct as possible.  Shakespeare said it best, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”

The Next Day

Follow-up! Would you wait around after a fantastic date with your dream girl to see if she calls you? Don’t make your company of choice wait to hear from you. Send an email to follow-up or a handwritten note if that is more your style.

Although getting a call back from your dream organization and landing a first date with someone you like are not the same thing, the processes used to get there have many similarities. If you find yourself facing rejection during your job search, simply continue your efforts as you would in the dating world – after all, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Hopefully the right one is out there waiting for you!

What other things do dating and the job hunting have in common?

8 Useful Tasks When Business is Slow

There is no getting around that all business, no matter products or service, is cyclical in nature with both busy and down periods.  Busy periods take care of themselves and you will likely be juggling many balls in the air. Slow periods are trying as you watch profits fall due to non-productivity.

However, slow periods can be a great time to reposition your company for growth during the next boom cycle. Below are 8 useful tasks that will help your business take maximum advantage of the next uptick.

1. Expand your products and services.

Perhaps it seems contradictory since during slow times you are likely thinking to cut corners. However, you want to consider how you can add products or services that will complement your current line. Diversity is the best strategy since it allows you to grow multiple streams of income so that when one part of the business experiences a downturn you can stay afloat through the other revenue streams.

2. Work to improve customer service.

You already know that stellar customer service is the foundation of business success, and this is never truer than during periods of business downturn. When business is slow you need to go above the call of duty to show your customers that they are important to you.  For example, you may want to offer a special discount on products or services or send thank you letters for their patronage. When a problem arises, act quickly to resolve it to the client’s satisfaction.

3. Ramp up your marketing.

When times are slow, marketing seems to be the function that gets the axe most often. This is a big mistake! It is precisely during times of relative inactivity that you need to focus more effort on marketing your business to new customers. You can do this by expanding your offerings, penetrating new marketing outlets, such as social media channels or updating your web site. Marketing is not selling but promoting the benefits of your firm to prospective customers.  Marketing is no less that an investment in the future growth of your company.

4. Diversify your tasks.

During a slow business you have time for projects put off. Perhaps you were thinking to write an eBook or start a blog. Both can be great ways to promote your company while also earning additional revenue. Another idea is to teach a course on a topic related to your business at an adult learning program. Each of these ideas will position you as a thought leader within your industry and help your business gain a strong reputation within its target market.

5. Build your skills.

If you are planning to add revenue streams, you may need to take courses to build your skills in that area. For example, if you are a graphic designer you might want to take a course in copywriting. This will help you build a one-stop model of service by offering both writing and design services. You can take courses relevant to your business via traditional classroom training or online. You also want to keep current with all industry changes by subscribing to relevant magazines, reading books, and attending seminars.

6. Go on a shopping trip.

This does mean buying personal items (although you may wish to include that in your trip) but items for your business. As you know, technology changes almost daily so perhaps you could use a new laptop or smartphone. Perhaps your office chair is not ergonomically efficient or you need a larger desk. Whatever purchase you have in mind, slow periods are a great time to research the products on the market to get the best value for your money. You may also want to read various business credit card reviews to see if you can perhaps get a good deal and make your purchases using the new card.

7. Get organized. 

Slow periods are a great time to get your office organized and eliminate clutter. Roll-up our sleeves and dig in to remove all extraneous paperwork, clear out the in/out boxes, rearrange desks, and put files in order. Better yet, create a database that will make files obsolete and free up a large amount of office space.

8. Maintain a positive attitude.

While this may not at first glance appear to be a task, in actuality keeping a positive attitude is perhaps the hardest thing to do when times get slow. You are on edge with no income and bills are coming in. Yet, you cannot wallow in a defeatist attitude as that will slow you down even further since neither clients or prospects wish to work with business owners who are pessimists.

During difficult times, keep in mind the title of the popular book by Robert Schuller, Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough People Do. Every misfortune carries the seeds of growth and betterment if you can keep perspective.  To help keep a positive attitude, socialize with friends and engage in activities you enjoy on a regular basis. This will help lighten your outlook and come back to the office with a fresh perspective.

Got more tips on how to keep going when business is slow? Share with us in the comments!

How to Get a Job & Beat Unemployment

For the lucky ones, it’s only a matter of days whereas for others, it may take years to figure out how to get a job. Being unemployed is a crushing experience — something nearly everyone experiences at some point in their lives.

People may think they’re doing enough to aid their job search when in fact they could be doing a lot more. There are numerous ways to further your search, potentially shortening the time spent unemployed and increasing your chances of landing a full time job, some of which are explained below.

How to Get a Job

Two-part series on how you can combat unemployment and get that gig — now!

Part I: People and Places

1. Job search websites: There are literally hundreds of these sites on the web. Websites such as TotalJobs, Beyond and Jobcentral offer a huge variety of job vacancies and do their best to find a job suitable for you. Aim to apply for as many as you can every day. The more you apply the more chance you have of someone getting in touch.
2. Recruitment agencies: You should be able to find recruitment agencies dotted all over the place. The advantage of going to these places is that you can develop a relationship with the agent and they can give you first hand help. They build an understanding of what you’re looking for and can offer you various opportunities.
3. Speaking to friends and family: Friends and family can often be your best bet. Family members will really want to help you out and will try their best to find you a vacancy. If you’re close family can’t help you then branch out to aunties, uncles and cousins. Don’t be shy to ask people, again it’s a numbers game, the more people you ask the more chance you have of landing a job.
4. Social Media: Contacting companies and building relationships via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin can be an effective technique. It’s a quick and easy way of getting your message across and discovering new vacancies.
5. CV Posting and Phone Calls: Print out a large number of CV’s and get yourself out there. Go to shopping centres and companies of interest – it’s a good starting point. Making the effort to get yourself out and about doesn’t go unnoticed, employers will appreciate the motivation.
   
   If a company is a fair journey away then make phone-calls. Again this is a chance to speak to an employer first hand and make a good impression. You may be able to speak directly about apprenticeship vacancies or training courses and get a good understanding of the company. You can always use the internet and online directories as well to discover new local companies that will take your CV.

Part II: Organization and Motivation

It’s easy to get bored and fed up when you’re unemployed. With no reason to get up early in the mornings a ‘lazy-boy’ routine is often inevitable. Late nights and lengthy morning lie-ins don’t leave much time in the day to get motivated and ready for your job search. Switching on the TV or computer may feel like the only option.

Creating a job search schedule is a great idea to combat this. Treating your job search as a full time activity is one of the best ways to increase your chances and keep motivated. A suggested approach would include the following key areas of job search.

• Aim to spend two to three hours a day on online job search.
• Aim to get up at around 9am to avoid becoming lazy and discouraged.
• Aim to visit at least 3 recruitment agencies a week.
• Make a list of friends and family to call.
• Do thorough research and make a list of companies to call.
• Make a list of places you can go to post CV’s, plan out your journeys and explore different areas.
• Spend at least one day out posting CV’S.
• Eat relatively healthy and spend at least one hour a day exercising, the release of endorphins will keep spirits high and in parallel keep your motivation levels up.

All factors when applied to a job search schedule will undoubtedly boosts one’s chances of finding work. A good job search schedule will incorporate time to job hunt along with time to exercise and relax. Exercise and relaxation are crucial to not overworking yourself and becoming distressed, and on the other hand also stop you becoming lazy.

Share your tips about how to get a job in the comments below.

How to Make Sure Your Business Card Is Never Thrown Away

Why Books are the New Business Cards

Remember when I asked you to talk about that business card from the guy you met earlier in this post? You had thrown it away, right? Why is that? Because that’s what people do with business cards. More than 80 percent of people who take your business card will throw it away. And sticking it in those fish bowls at Qdoba? Forget about it! That was a whole $0.78 you’ll never get back!

But when was the last time you threw a book away? My guess is, unless you live in a Communist country, you have seldom – if ever – thrown a book away. Books don’t get thrown away. They might get sold at yard sales or to a used book store, but most people find it hard to toss something like a book.

And usually for a long time before that happens, even if that business contact doesn’t read your book immediately, she will almost certainly place it on a shelf in her office or home book case. And books that sit on shelves and bookcases get noticed. Make no mistake, they get noticed. And if your content is compelling enough, passionate enough, and your title is intriguing enough that it begs to be opened, your book WILL get read!

The Cheapest, Fastest Ways to Publish Your Books!

Okay, maybe I’ve sold you on the potential power of giving out books to your business contacts or clients, but I haven’t sold you on writing your own yet. “I don’t have that kind of time,” you might say, in which case, I can’t help you. You have to make your own time, but I can tell you, unless you are a circus performer with two Blu-Tooth headsets on and the President of the US on one of them giving you secret service commands every waking minute of the day, you have the time.

If you do decide to make the time, you may be wondering, “Don’t I have to pay for publishing? Isn’t that extremely expensive? And what if nobody reads it?”

My answers: No. No. And that really depends on how interesting your book is.

If your book is interesting, you can publish it for next to nothing. You may try a print-on-demand publisher that takes your material and prints it and distributes it only to the people who order it. I think some POD publishers extremely fast, reliable, and have great quality.

So, what’s your story?

All right, so I’ve told you my story. So, what’s yours? Have you written a business card aka a book? Have a great idea for one? Let’s talk!

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How to Make Sure Your Business Card Is Never Thrown Away

If you’re like me, you meet someone and talk business, then you take their business card before you leave. “Hey, give me your card! We should have coffee sometime!” You exchange cards and go on about your way. Think about the next time you call that person.

Oh, wait! If you’re like me, you never call the person again! No, instead, several months later when you’re clearing out your George Costanza-sized wallet, you see a stash of old business cards – most of them faded and unreadable in places from the creases – and you wonder, Who the heck are these people?

Now, granted, I’m a pack rat, and I do hold onto stuff. But say you’re not a pack rat. Non-pack rats will go home, realize they’ll never call the person on the card again, and throw the card out.

This is disturbing for multiple reasons: Cost of printing (those business cards aren’t free, you know), environmental (how many of those business cards have you distributed?). Most of all, though, it’s the shame of a missed opportunity: a missed opportunity for a potentially great friendship or business contact (and let’s face it, in these tough economic times, having both is the best).

So what if you knew that no one would ever throw away your business card again? Are you intrigued? And what if you could know that your business card might be looked at over and over and over again? I’m not talking about graphic design. I’m not talking about welding your card onto someone’s dashboard. And I’m not talking about buckoos of cash! Some of you may know where I’m going with this, and I’ll go ahead and say it: You need to write a book!

Write a Book? Me?

I knew there was a catch, you might be thinking. “What are you talking about, Thompson? I can’t write a book!” Why not? I’ve heard it said many times that everyone has a book in them.

So, what’s your story? You should write it down. And now, it’s easier (and cheaper) than ever for you to write your story – whether it’s about your company, about your passion, about your charity, about your fictional story, or about your own life and experiences (but for the sake of the business card argument, let’s stick with your business).

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