getting unstuck (2)

GETTING UNSTUCK In Your Job Search Process

Linda (Lin) Phillips, MS, NCC, NCCC, MCC

Career and Life Transition Counseling

A Problem Well Defined…

• Identify all possible problems preventing you from getting the job

• Choose the biggest problem• Restate the problem as a question. E.g. How

can I ….• Brainstorm possible solutions

Five Common Problems

• Lost

• Stuck in Traffic

• Dead End

• Overwhelmed

• Mechanical Problems

Build Your Road Map

• Have a clear destination– Know what you want

• What job or role?• In what industry?• What size company?• What geographic location?

• Write your elevator statement

Build Your Road Map…continued

• Identify and list all qualifying employers– Currently open positions– And beyond. Ideas might come from:

• Networking• Yellow Pages• Chamber of Commerce• Industry directories• Internet search• Job postings• DM Business Record “Book of Lists”

Stand Out from the Others

• Build Relationships– Get involved:

• Professional Associations (Encyclopedia of Associations)• Breakfast Club• Chamber of Commerce• Service Organizations• Fraternities / Sororities• Networking events• Religious Organization

Stand Out from the Others…continued

• Build Relationships– Make contact with:

• Alumni Association / College Placement Office• Recruiters• Former employers• Friends / relatives / former co-workers


• Create Outstanding Documents– Design your letterhead…and use it– Use key words of the industry / employer in cover

letter and resume– Match the order your qualifications to the job ad– Use a QR code to route the reader to your web-site– Print and use personal business cards– Create a business-style e-mail address– Design and use a portfolio


• Follow Up with the employer. . .– 1 week after sending resume– On the date the position is closed– On decision dates– Once a month

• Send a Thank You letter following each contact


• Innovate– Prove you fit the employer’s culture (match

messages)– Incorporate a QR code on your resume / business

card– Meet face-to-face– Offer to help first and get hired later– Give three solutions to a problem the company faces– Provide a work sample

Create an Alternate Route

• Gain new skills

• Keep up with current trends

• Change Industries

• Expand geographic locations

• Add second choice career

• Work a temporary assignment

• Be a Consultant

Create an Alternate Route…continued

• Accept contract work

• Become an entrepreneur

• Volunteer … www.unitedwaydm.org

• Step back one level

• Look at lateral position

• Take an internship

• Seek professional help

Get It Together• Get Focused:

– Look Inward• Values• Themes• Abilities

– Look Backward• Accomplishments• Results• Past Dreams• Repair bridges that need to be mended

Get It Together…continued

• Get focused (continued)– Look Forward

• Ideal• Self-employed vs. work for another

– Look upward• What is my greater purpose• What is my calling

Get It Together…continued

• Get Organized– Set weekly / daily goals– Schedule goal related activities each day– Keep track. Hint: Use JibberJobber or

Becomed.com, on-line organizational tools– Establish an in-home work space

• Reward Yourself when you have met your goals

Use Preventive Maintenance

• Take a break• Do something for JOY• Eat right• Get regular exercise, build endorphins• Wake and sleep on same schedule• Avoid isolation

Preventive Maintenance…continued

• Give purpose to your life• Volunteer… www.unitedwaydm.org

• It’s OK to grieve …privately• Get professional help

– Career Counselor or Career coach• NBCC.org thecoaches.com coachfederation.org

– Mental Health professional

Contact Information

Linda (Lin) Phillips, MS, NCC, NCCC, MCC

Career and Life Transition Counseling200 Army Post Road, Suite 3

Des Moines, Iowa 50315

515-285-1240www.iowacareercounselor.com