Were you on my free call this morning? I can’t believe how much info I was able to deliver in just an hour!

If you want to listen to the audio recording of the call titled:

Job Search Secrets For 5-and-6 Figure Professionals:
Your Toughest Job Search Questions Answered, Part II

Just click on this link:

http://careerartisan.audioacrobat.com/download/0b552813-5469-4237-7c76-280c163e4541.mp3

Here is what I covered:

How to use social networking to snag your next job opportunity.

How to meet the “key” individuals when networking.

How to network if you are a high level executive or an introverted person.

How do you craft a resume that actually gets read.

A special offer that can save you time and money in your job search.

Plus I made two more very special (time-sensitive) offers!

offer number one:

25% off my job search success system for the next 5 days – either package!

Check out the Job Search Success System here: job-searchsystem.com

(just use coupon code: SPRING)

offer number two:

Everyone that invests in a resume package with me thru the month of JUNE will be gifted the Job Search Success System (the full version with coaching) absolutely fr’ee.

Feel free to spread the word!

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

PS Questions? Call us! 830-331-9398.

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In part one of this post, we looked at the facts and fallacies of the hidden job market including why you should consider tapping into it, why you should consider sending your resume to a company that has not advertised positions matching your skills and the level of experience you should be at in order to benefit from the hidden market.

Now I bet you are wondering precisely how to tap into the unadvertised market. There are three strategies to quickly get you started focusing on and finding great jobs that will never see a major job board.

Tip #1: Create a plan

If you are going to launch a proactive job search (i.e. knowing precisely what you are looking for, then reaching out to get it) vs. a reactive job search (i.e. passively scanning posted jobs, waiting to find the one that fits you) then it’s crucial you know the following things:

Your target markets

(e.g. Construction, commercial healthcare development, pharmaceutical, medical device, etc…)

Your titles & positions

(e.g. sales executive, VP of sales and marketing, business development director)

Your geographic parameters

(e.g. can’t leave Minneapolis, all of US, California only)

Your timeline

(e.g. need a job NOW, in the next 30 days, would like to make a change in the next 6 months)

Tip #2: Choose three main job search strategies for tapping into your market

Now that you have your plan, you should be crystal clear on what you want! Here are just a few unadvertised techniques you can utilize:

Growing/changing or moving companies: These are companies that are expanding, merging, acquiring other companies, are rolling out new products or services or are moving. These companies that are actively changing and/or growing offer you, the job seeker, an opportunity to offer your skills and strengths in order to help them.

Executive recruiters: Identify executive recruiters that are familiar with your industry and/or level of position. They often have contracts to fill positions of which the majority will never be advertised. Recruiters probably won’t be helpful to you if:

You are radically changing industries, a recruiter may not be the best source for you as they will be looking for “a match.”

Recruiters may be helpful if:

You plan on staying in your current industry, you have had less than 3 jobs in 10 years and you look fantastic on paper.

Direct company contact: The secret here is in the numbers. Contacting a company directly (fully knowing they probably have multiple open positions that are not advertised) is a great way to take leadership and control over your job search. Are you interested in looking at the higher education market in your state or the top organic food manufacturers in the US? Or maybe the fastest growing healthcare oriented businesses in your city? All of these “lists” are accessible to you and allow you to easily tap right into your market of focus!

Tip #3: Manage your job search like a professional project

Once you have your plan and have determined the best place to gather your resources and your general strategy, you must make a simple plan to move forward. Depending on your timeframe, pick the hours and the days each week that you plan to invest in your next career move. Block out those times and stick to them! Honor your commitment to your job search just like you would honor your commitment to your present employer to show up on time each day.
During your job search activity, keep things really simple and focus on the actions you are taking, not the results!

This way you can celebrate your initial “successes,” which in the beginning are the completion of each of your daily and weekly goals. The results will unfold elegantly and abundantly and you will enjoy feeling that satisfaction of success whether you are investing in marketing yourself or basking in the warm glow of landing your third or fourth interview!

Be careful not to devalue the importance of this tip. This strategy is one of the main points to averting thoughts of despair and feelings of overwhelm.

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When you are setting up a turnkey job search campaign and trying to tap into the hidden job market, you may happen upon some hurdles that can stop you in your tracks, shake your confidence and cause you to doubt yourself or tempt you to settle for much less than you deserve. In my previous feature article I covered how fear, negative thoughts, perfectionistic and isolating behaviors can create sticking points for you. Here are the final four pitfalls and how you can avoid them:

Pitfall #5: Not being open to try new job search methods

In this job market you are going to have very little success if all you do is answer a handful of posted jobs.

My clients who are having success right now are the ones that are using direct mail programs, learning how to research and use strategies to tap into the hidden job market (actually quite easy) and learning about social networking.

Pitfall #6: Putting all your eggs in one basket

I worked with a client once who secured three interviews a week after I sent this client her final resume copy.

She was so excited, and I was excited for her. But when I asked her how her job search strategies were going she said she was just waiting for her immediate interviews to pan out before she did anything else. Though I encouraged her not to do this, her mind was made up.

Six weeks later all three potential job opportunities fell through and my client was left with an empty basket and the daunting task of starting all over again from scratch.

Moral of the story: keep your pipeline full and your job search activities consistent until your first day at your new company.

Pitfall #7: No Strategy

In order to be successful in your job search, you have to have a foundation of basic goals and a clear understanding of your driving motivators.

If you don’t, you aren’t going to know what to focus on or where to best invest your time and energy.

I have worked with job seekers who when they first came to me shared that they had been in “I’ll know it when I see it” job search mode for over a year with nothing to show for it.

So, know what industries you are targeting and why, what your salary goals are, your timeframe and your basic game plan before trying to move forward. You’ll be so glad you did!

Pitfall #8: Work/life imbalance

You can’t job search 8-hrs a day. Well, you can but if you do you will probably be feeling drained and burnt out in no time at all.

During a job search you will most likely be experiencing more stress than normal. It’s important that you take better care of yourself and take more time off then perhaps you are accustomed.

This isn’t a luxury! It’s actually a vital part of your successful job search.

Eat right, get plenty of rest and do plenty of those things you love to do. This way you will have plenty of energy for creativity and strategy. You will be rested, clear-headed and enthusiastic in your job interviews which will make a positive impression.

If you see yourself in any one of pitfalls, take heart and use these simple techniques to break through the hurdles so you can stay focused and confident as you move toward the career opportunity you really want.

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Mary Elizabeth Bradford, nationally recognized tactical job search coach and certified resume writer is offering an unprecedented opportunity to job seekers. Now you can receive coaching to learn to tap into the hidden or unadvertised job market for $35 for a 6-week program. Learn more here:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/mastermind.php

Dave Perry, Co Author of Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters 2.0 says in recessionary times – 95% of jobs are stealth or hidden jobs. If you are in a job search you MUST learn how to find hidden and unadvertised opportunities.

There is NOTHING in the market for job seekers that comes close to giving this much value at this price point. It doesn’t matter where you are at in your career, executive level or just starting out… this is critical information that will help you land the job you want and even exceed your salary expectations.

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In searching for your ideal position are you taking what I call the “I’ll know it when I see it route?”

Well, if this is you, chances are you have been surfing around on the internet looking for that perfect position, submitting your resume to multiple jobs and you are still waiting for the phone to ring.

Although getting clear on the kind of jobs you are interested in can be a worthwhile activity, you don’t want to get stuck on the job surfing and job board treadmill.

Here are three steps you can take right now to take back control of your job search:

Step number one: Focus on what you want

Before you begin your job search you must know what your driving motivators are and what your ideal job looks like.

Think of these driving motivators as the top three things you must have in order for you to feel like your next move is one that meets your needs.

Sometimes your driving motivators will run counter to your dream job, and that is okay. Give yourself permission to define these because they will affect your job search and help you discern which way you need to go – both for your short and long term goals.

To identify your dream job start with a list of things you love to do best. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself – what you are doing when you are at your best.

Step Number Two: get your game plan down

You should know what your job search strategy is – namely the two or three strategies you are going to use in your job search.

Individual strategies include embarking on a direct mail campaign, working with recruiters, special networking techniques like informational interviews and social networking just to name a few.

Each job search demands its own special approach, and by fleshing out your game plan you’ll quickly see what you need to do and where you might need help figuring things out

Step Number Three: Make a commitment to begin

Now that you have a plan and you know where you need help you can start moving forward. A big mistake job seekers often make is to wait and wait and wait until they feel “ready” to move forward.

Rarely do we ever feel 100% ready. So break this cycle of procrastination by writing out one primary actively you can focus on each day. Writing it out in advance means not having to lie awake in bed at night worrying over what you are going to do tomorrow.

Make your goals doable and give yourself plenty of rest and relaxation time to recharge your batteries. Don’t forget to congratulate yourself for every effort and activity you take…because each step is a step forward…and one step closer to your goals!

With your driving motivators, ideal job description, pre planned activities and goals spelled out and crystal clear, you now have distinct areas of focus to build on. This is the first and most critical step to taking control of your job search, so you can land the job you really want.

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I am sure you have heard about the value of investing in a resume writer and/or job search coach to help you during your job search. Certainly, this investment in yourself and your job search will pay off in multiple ways including your ability to fully leverage yourself in your industry of choice, making sure you are optimizing your skills and strengths amidst the competition and securing the highest quality interviews.

However there are additional investments you should be making in your job search that lend themselves to rich and rewarding payoffs.

Have you looked at your home, your health and your time-off activities? Have you set up a system for yourself that provides you with adequate job search support?

Here are some examples:

1. Investment in your health. Are you taking care of yourself? Have you been putting off your yearly physical, your trip to the dentist or chiropractor? Do you invest in eating organic food? Do you get out for a few minutes each day for some exercise and fresh air? Your monetary investment to do this is relatively small but your short and long term payoff is vit al to keeping stress under control and your feeling of well being.

2. Investment in activities you enjoy. You have heard me say it before, investing in yourself, in activities you enjoy and that relax you are MORE important and need to be INCREASED during your job search.

Feel like you can’t find the time? Look at where you spend your time during the day, then commit to cutting out ONE activity that you don’t absolutely need to be doing. Replace it with something you love to do, be it spending time with your family, playing tennis, bike riding or reading a book. The more relaxed and balanced you are, the more energy and focus you will have to give your job search.

3. Investment in your surroundings. Is your office or home a mess? Investment in a clean work and living space will add to your feeling of peace. I have a young child and know how hard it can be to keep things tidy! But each morning I clean my office so I can think clearly, and be present and creative for my clients. In other words, your surroundings can mirror your mental outlook.

4. Investment in your clarity. If you are struggling with your confidence and your self worth regarding your job search, then grab a pen and paper and write out 30 valuable skills, strengths and traits that you can bring to your employer(s). Getting clear here will help you get in touch with how much you really do have to offer. We often devalue our profess ional worth, so this exercise will serve to fill in the gaps if you are leaving out any critical points in your resume.

5. Investment in job search “high payoff” activities. Are you licking stamps and envelopes and running to the printer? Why not consider hiring someone to handle these entry level tasks for you during your job search so you can invest your time focusing on your high payoff activities, such as targeting employers, following up with phone calls and preparing for interviews?

You get so much more done with a little help! Your investment in hiring the neighbor’s teenager across the street (or your own, if you have one) will definitely kick your job search results into high gear.

So, what can you invest in this week that makes you feel good, more balanced and less stressed?

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·     What industries are hiring

·     Two powerful strategies to quickly and easily get in front of hiring managers

·     How to get past gatekeepers when making follow up phone calls

·     What to say if the hiring manager says “Were not hiring right now”

·     What most people leave out of their resumes that are must-haves

·     How many pages a resume should be and the difference between chronological and functional styles

·     Vital tips to compete in todays job market

Listen to the 20 minute interview here:

http://www.totalpicture.com/shows/success-strategies/mary-elizabeth-bradford-the-career-artisan.html

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I was recently reading Joan Stewart’s “The Publicity Hound” ezine, and noticed a tip on how to set up email subject lines for small business owners to garner media attention.

Joan writes:

========================================

3. Email Subject Lines

========================================

When you email a pitch or press release to the media, you have one or two seconds to catch their attention with your subject line.

Publicist Michelle Tennant, of Wasabi Publicity, sometimes flags the media by using these phrases in her subject line, just before the actual headline:

–Last-minute:

–Look:

–Media alert:

–Local:

It works. Michelle, one of the first graduates of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, has an outstanding track record of scoring major media hits for her clients in top-tier media outlets.

=============

…This got me thinking about applying the same strategies when in a job search. To grab a decision makers attention, you could state:

Local:

Attention:

Operations expert:

Candidate:

Available for interview:

…just a few ideas off the top of my head. Can anyone think of additional attention catchers?

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Source: CareerProNews
Eating healthy is becoming more important to North American families. But for working professionals, especially parents, time for grocery shopping is shrinking. That spells opportunity for companies that deliver organic food to people’s homes.

While many regular grocery delivery businesses have had varied success, organic delivery services have grown rapidly across North America.

“People looking for specialty items not readily available elsewhere use our services,” says Ian Diamond, owner of an organic food delivery service in South Salem, New York. “A large portion of my clientele consists of families with young children.

“Two different aspects of our service attract customers: the actual delivery service for people who don’t have time to shop and the high-quality products we offer.”

According to the Organic Trade Association, organic farming is happening in about 100 countries around the world.

“Sales of organic foods and beverages have grown 20 percent to 24 percent each year over the past decade. We’re not seeing a decrease and we expect to see that growth continue,” says Barbara Haumann, senior writer for the Organic Trade Association.

“All kinds of people chose organic products, but they all have respect for the Earth, soil and fresh vegetables.”

Haumann also says that organic consumers tend to be educated with good incomes. While healthy food appeals to them, many organic consumers are too busy for extensive grocery shopping.

Consumers of organic products may be motivated by concern for children, recovery from illness or other health issues. Environmental health is also a deciding factor for many consumers who don’t agree with the use of pesticides or many synthetic food additives.

Diamond says organic produce needs special attention that many health food stores or supermarkets may not provide. “We handle produce better than many stores. Our produce comes in and goes out quickly, so there are quality benefits.”

Knowledge about specific organic products is very important for business owners, says Diamond. “What sets my company apart from my competition is my knowledge of how to handle, buy, store and present organic food. People who are successful with organic food really know what they’re doing.”

Offering a wide range of products may also contribute to success, says Diamond. Many businesses will only deliver produce, while others include meats, cheeses, breads and more.

Diamond says specialty items are a hot area. “There are still many specific gourmet foods not available in organic form,” he says.

Lisa McIntosh is the co-owner of an organic food delivery service. She sees a local market for local produce.

“I think we will always be able to provide better quality produce sourced closer to home, because larger retailers tend to buy centrally and in large volumes. This excludes the smaller farmers, and it is these smaller farmers who supply us at the local level.”

McIntosh came from a background in community economic development. She used to work with a nonprofit organization that supported food security and sustainable agriculture. Although she says she learned a lot through the day-to-day operation of her business, McIntosh also prepared herself by taking some business training.

“I took an entrepreneurship course to help with the development of an extensive business plan. My partner had previous experience as co-owner of a small business. Both of us had volunteered on organic farms and been previous customers of a similar service.”

Any food science, nutrition or related studies, says McIntosh, would help someone starting an organic delivery service. “I think it would be useful to have business management education or experience, produce handling experience, food-related education, delivery logistics, or even experience working at a fruit stand.”

In the United States, sellers of organic food can use products certified as organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Regulations set by the USDA prohibit the use of irradiation, sewage sludge or genetically modified organisms in organic production. Organic meat and poultry must be fed 100 percent organic feed and antibiotics are not allowed.

Net Sites

Organic Trade Association
Learn about the industry

http://www.ota.com/index.html

National Organic Program
Information from the USDA

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm

Organic Consumers Association
Promotes organic farming

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

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Did you make the call Wednesday titled: Recession-Busting Job Search Techniques That WORK?

Well, if you couldn’t make it, or you called in and the line was busy (sorry, we filled up fast!) here is a link to the audio recording of the call.

You can listen here now:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

I really opened up about detailed strategies and resources that you can use in your job search right now.

Plus, I extended a VERY special invitation that will enable you to get job search coaching and support directly from me…I think you will be really pleased and excited to hear about it!

Here is that link:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

*Many of you emailed me to ask for the resource links I mentioned on the call, so I had my team post them for you on the same page as the audio. Enjoy!

-Mary Elizabeth

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