Resume Networking - if you are back in the job market

Let's spend some Contagious Coaching time on Resume Networking today. If you are back in the job market, for whatever reason... things have changed a bit in the way you network and get your resume out there. In fact, when you are networking your resume, you have to remember to be SAVVY about what you are doing. SAVVY stands for:

1. Stay consistent in your efforts
One or two subtle mentions of your job search needs probably won't cut it. people's attention spans are much shorter than they used to be and their workload is certainly more. You may have to make many mentions to many people to help get the word out and find what you are looking for. Also, look for the "big mouths" in your world who naturally talk to others and help make connections. Also, look at social media, but remember one tweet isn't going to light everyone's fire and send them into action.

2. Accept no and move to the next one
When something doesn't pan out, try not to pine over it. Remember that some will, some won't, so what, and move on. It's an old sales adage, but in this case you are selling you and the saying above remains true. You are not rejected from an opporutnity you didn't have in the first place when someone says no - you've just been given the gift of feedback that this was not hte direction for you.

3. Venture out of your comfort zone
If you still think that Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com are the primary ways to job search, or heaven forbid -the classifieds, then my guess is you still use carrier pigeons and smoke signals, too. Venture into the land of the 21st century. Create a beautiful and informative profile on one of or many of the following: Linked IN, Plaxo, Facebook, Twitter, Squidoo... and then contribute value. Don't just talk about you. For example: on Linked In, go and answer some quesitons that others have that will allow you to show your expertise rather than talk about just what you need. Social Media is a place where you can contribute as well as ask for things and those who contribute seem to have higher rankings and response rates.

4. Value, seek, and maintain clarity
Do you even know what you are looking for? This sounds like a silly one, but one really needs to know what you are looking for. Do you know what salary you want? Do you know what kind of position you want? Are you looking for something completely different? If you are not sure what you are looking for or what you think would provide you with fulfillment, this may be an opportunity for you to look into coaching to help develop that awareness about you and what would work best for you. You may even check into www.contagiouscoaching.com.

5. Yelp less, do more
Those who whine about not having a job beyond a socially acceptable time period for grief or mourning, begin to sound like the small yappy dogs that make a lot of noise and yet don't have what it takes to back it up. Whining, yelping, griping, moaning, groaning, etc ... do not help your cause, they hinder it. They do not help your situation, they prolong it and they do not help you lead yourself in the right direction, but instead help you stay STUCK. Oh wait, that is another acronym. check out our blog archives for that one.

Resume networking involves working your job search like you would work a room. Make connections, contribute value, act with and share credibility and be interested in the needs of others, all the while making sure you know what you are looking for. Persist consistently.

Stay Contagious and best of success,
Monica