Is it time to Get Out of the Box?

It's not unusual for a job search to stretch on for months. There are many possible reasons why this is often the case. One of those is that job hunters can develop some "bad" habits. The one I want to address in this post is Staying Inside the Box.

By Staying Inside the Box, I mean doing everything right but not taking risks.

In recent months, some of my clients have ventured Outside the Box and have achieved success. Here are some of the risky things they tried...that worked.

Display your expertise - One of my clients wrote a Pulse post here on LinkedIn that demonstrated his knowledge and expertise in his field. Soon thereafter, his phone rang. It was a former colleague calling, triggered by reading the post. The two started talking and it culminated in a job offer.

Hang out with hiring managers - The phrase "hang out" comes from wise job search adviser Nick ("Ask the Headhunter") Corcodilos who often says, Hang out where the likely action is. In other words, where are You likely to find the employers you are most interested in? If you are in the pharma or chemicals industry, join ChemPharma, a networking group dedicated to that industry. If you are a Project Manager, join PMI. By joining the relevant industry organizations where your target employers hang out, you increase your exposure to them.

Talk shop - When it comes to networking conversations in professional organizations like the ones above, every job search coach recommends "Don't ask for a job." Instead, talk shop (again a 'hat tip' to Nick Corcodilos for this). Talking shop means asking the other person about their business. Show interest in them. Ask questions. Engage them in talking about what matters most TO THEM. It will become apparent, as the conversation goes along, that you have something of value to offer.

Offer to advise - Sometimes, you will be talking shop with a potential employer, but finally the employer will say something like "Gee I wish I could have you join my company, but we have no money/no opening/ no budget." Your response could be, No Problem! Consider me an adviser. I'll come in, take a look at your operation, and give you my recommendations. If you like them, you can offer me something (i.e., compensation) in return. If you want, I can come in on a regular basis (i.e., a retainer).

Contact your rejecters - Most job hunters get turned down. It's to be expected. But how many job hunters go back to those rejecters and offer a counter-proposal? I recently read about this idea in a Pulse post where the author said that he re-contacted all the companies that had turned him down. He offered to consult with them in case they needed extra help. Out of all that he reached out to, he heard back from only a small handful. But of those, several said Yes.

Have you heard of any other out-of-the-box ideas for job hunters? Please write them in the comments.

Terrence Seamon works with career transitioners. Follow him on twitter @tseamon

The RASDA Cycle

What is the RASDA cycle, you ask?

The letters stand for:  Rage, Anger, Sadness, Desperation, Acceptance

After reading the heart-breaking post by Kim Williams, about being fired from Intel after 28 years of dedication and hard work, it occurred to me that these feelings --Rage, Anger, Sadness, Desperation, Acceptance-- may capture the essence of what many go through when they are involuntarily terminated from their employment.

Rage may be the first. "How dare you take this from me!" Job loss is a drastic thing. You lose a lot:  your identity, your status, your office, your team, your customers.

You lose your income.  As a client of mine said to me the other day, "I went from six figures to zero in an instant."

I have often said that anyone who is thinking of firing somebody ought to go through the experience themselves in order to know first-hand what they are about to inflict on another human being.

Anger may come next as the fire of Rage subsides somewhat.  Anger at the Company, at the Boss, at the way the termination was handled. This is often a phase of blaming, of hurt...and for some, anger at one's self.

When I read how Kim Williams was escorted off the site like a criminal, my heart broke for him. That is no way to treat someone who moments before was a solid employee of the company.

Sadness and Desperation may come next as the days turn to weeks, and the weeks turn to months, during a period of transition where nothing seems to go right. No interviews, no call backs, no offers.

If you are lucky, the feeling of Acceptance may arrive at last. Acceptance can mean many things. It may mean that you have decided to "let go." Holding on to the past will not bring back what was lost.

Acceptance may mean that you have decided to face the facts without blinders on. Ask yourself, "Here I am. Now what?"

Acceptance may mean that you have shifted your gaze to a focus on the future. Ask yourself, "What next?"

Acceptance may mean that you have opened up to new and different possibilities. Ask yourself, "What else can I do with the skills I have, with what I am good at?"

Acceptance may be the doorway to your next chapter.

Terrence Seamon has been through the RASDA cycle several times. Follow him on twitter @tseamon

Shift Happens

Last night, I was a panelist, along with four other coaches (Christine Clifton, Dan Hollis, Kim Luthy, Casey Carpenter), in an event called Shift Happens, moderated by Meredith Eckert.

Produced by Sara Greenhouse of Generate Buzz, the aim of Shift Happens is to recognize that we all encounter adversity, whether it be setbacks, losses, and disappointments in Life or in Business, and to provide stories and wisdom that contain tips and strategies for resilience and self-empowerment.

Well, let me tell you, it was a thrilling experience!

Each panelist spoke from the heart and shared real life challenges --including illness, job loss, bullying, divorce, career change, death of a spouse-- that he or she was somehow able to overcome by tapping into resources including...

- sense of Purpose

- a network of supportive friends

- faith in a Higher Power

- belief in Oneself

And in each case, pure unadulterated Grit, the human capacity to persevere even in the face of extraordinary obstacles.

For me, I would summarize a main theme of the night in the word FIGHT, because each one of us reached inside to summon up the strengths needed in a time of trial:

F - Facing the facts, and facing our fears, to Focus on our goals

I - Igniting our inner fire, and Inspiring our spirits

G - Getting the Grit and Galvanizing into action

H- Having a plan and not losing Hope

T - Touching base with friends and Tapping into one's network

It is my fervent hope that Shift Happens happens again. If It sounds good to you, and you would like Shift Happens to come to your area, let us know.

We will make it happen!

Terrence Seamon coaches others through the stress and uncertainty of Life's changes. Follow him on twitter @tseamon