Of course, we’re talking 20/20 hindsight, but still…indulge me, would you? : )

So I’m curious…

When you look back at your life, all the way to your early days…do you notice a thread? Or have you rediscovered interests and talents that – when looking back – you realize have always been there?

(Hint: if you’re completely stuck trying to figure out what’s next for you and can’t see the forest for the trees, going back to your childhood likes and talents can be a great eye-opener!)

This week, I have another question for you…

How did you get your last job(s)? Was it through networking? By responding to an ad? Through an online posting? Or did you “cold call” on a company?

“Which two job or career transition activities do you spend the most time on? Be specific!”

This is nothing mysterious; it simply reveals some of our character traits underlying our behavior.

The goal here is to be aware of your behavior patterns during your career transition.

For example: if some of your friends you frequently hang out with make plans to get together without you, what is your first reaction? Do you feel rejected, do you get angry, or do you simply wonder what they’re up to and assume they were just about to ask you?

Your reaction to this kind of situation is likely the same you’ll have when you don’t hear back after applying somewhere.

(And, as an aside: there are SO many reasons you may not hear back after sending in your resume – especially in response to a job posting – that have NOTHING to do with you. )

Another example – a personal one this time:

I tend to want to be prepared and have my ducks in a row. Not very convenient when you’re running a business. So I’m trying my best to unlearn this trait. It’s also not handy if you’re in career transition as it may prevent you from taking action until you are “ready” – which, if you’re like me, you’ll never be!

Perfection is unattainable. Progress, on the other hand, is a fantastic goal.

A few other examples:

-          Are you someone who is always late? If so, you probably have a hard time getting to your interviews on time as well. Make sure to figure in extra time to avoid this major faux-pas!

-          Do you get curt with service staff in restaurants and other places? When going on interviews; be mindful of how you treat receptionists and assistants at these companies as they are often asked about their impressions of the candidates! (And what were you thinking in the first place; show some respect for your fellow citizens; regardless of their socio-economic position!)

-          Are you used to outsourcing everything but your sleep and your love life? If so, chances are you think you can outsource your job transition to professionals and assistants. As much as I am a believer in – and practitioner of – outsourcing, I need to tell you that there’s a place and a time for everything. Your career transition needs hands-on involvement from you.

-          Do you like to “stick with what works?” Are you someone who keeps buying the same brand products forever, who goes to the same vacation place year after year, and lives by “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke?” Great! But listen up: the past few years have seen more changes in the arena of recruitment, hiring, and job searching than in the all the years prior since the introduction of the electronic typewriter. So ditch the 2 spaces after periods (a left-over thing from the typewriter days), and, more importantly, get up to speed with career transitions a la 2010. It’s truly a different world out there!

So if you got some great career management advice in the 90s or even the early 2000s that made sense to you and that worked back then; realize that what ain’t updated may very well cost you opportunities today.

-          Are you a proud person who doesn’t need anyone and who likes to “make it on your own?” Respect! You probably don’t ask for help easily (or at all!) and you love to help others. Just make sure not to translate this too rigidly to the careers arena. There are people – and I have a dear friend in particular who is very stubborn about this; you know who you are! – who won’t even accept connections to get more information and possibly leads. I’m not talking about insider information that can land you in jail. I’m talking about plain and simple networking. The stuff that lands about 80% of the people their next jobs. Vital in today’s economy and job market.

It reminds me of that joke about some guy sitting at his roof trying to survive a flood. A boat with rescuers comes to get him, but he sends them away, because “god will rescue him.” Yeah…god just sent that boat with rescuers his way – but he turned it down… Same principle applies here.

There are plenty other examples but I’d love to hear yours! How does your “MO” affect your job or career transition?

So let’s make it easier on yourself.

I have a – related – personal example for you.

When it comes to exercising, I refuse to go to a gym and work out.

I despise it. Won’t happen.

I want to do something I either enjoy (such as dancing, rollerblading, ice skating, skiing, martial arts) that gives me a good workout in the process. Or I’ll do something that lets me kill two birds with one stone such as biking to and fro and getting my cardio that way.

I repeat: I will not exercise at a gym.

I’ve tried it several times and found that I hate the machines, can’t stand aerobics classes, and I’m bored the second I pick up a dumbbell. (No offense to anyone who loves this. In fact; more power to you if you do – pun intended!)

But now – for the first time – I’ve found a compromise! Last night, I Zumba’d for the very first time and loved it! (It’s a hybrid between aerobics/fitness and Latin American dance such as salsa, samba, meringue, etc. Brilliant.) Whereas dance classes can have you standing around figuring out the new steps or waiting for the rest to catch up, Zumba is one hour of high energy/high sweat/high fun workout.

The moral of this story?

You don’t have to go to the “gym” (insert your biggest job search dislike) and do what most people are doing.

Realize that, yes, certain steps simply have to be taken and some also need to be done in order. (In my example: put on exercise clothes and work up a sweat.) But other than that, you can do it your way!

Maybe you are so afraid of doing something wrong that you’ve latched on to whatever job search advice you have gotten and are following it rigidly and religiously.

This may be great if it happens to be solid advice and you feel comfortable doing it. But if you’re struggling to make your way through the job transition maze, here are some ways to weave in some fun:

-          First of all, find something you do like about your job search. There is bound to be an aspect that gets you going. (If not: call me!)

Maybe doing research is just your thing. Well, great! A fantastic place to start a job or career transition anyway!

Or perhaps you are the consummate “people person.” Guess what – networking is still the most successful way of landing your next job.

-          Whenever possible, start your job transition with this activity you enjoy. Or, if changing jobs is just an exercise in ghastliness to you, find the least excruciating action step.

The idea here is to get moving. Forget “saving the best for last.” If you’re stuck in inertia, you need to know that things will become much more manageable once you get moving and start getting results from your efforts. So start with the “easy” stuff.

For example, if you just lost your job and you feel like commiserating with friends; call them up! And join a job search support group. This could be your first step. Next, you’ll focus on more diverse networking groups and efforts, but a support group could be just the ticket to start making some new connections and get you in the right frame of mind.

-          Cherry pick what works for you.

For example: if you’ve heard that online networking is the hottest thing since sliced bread (which it is) but you only just mastered email…start with in-person networking. The real world is not dead yet! The local chamber of commerce is a great place. Meetup.com may offer get-togethers that are applicable to you, and industry associations are usually a great way to meet people in person. And don’t forget plain old barbeques and family parties. The best connections resulting in leads and job offers often originate there!

And don’t forget reunions and alumni events!

-          Lighten up! Network with the people you like!

Sure, sometimes a really strategic contact is someone you’d never hang out with on a personal level. But here’s the thing about those contacts: if they are uncomfortable to you; chances are they and their company may not be a good match for you anyway. Of course there’s more to an organization than one employee. And, if you end up working there, you might never again have to deal with this person.

However, there’s something else to consider: when you’re talking with someone you like, you’re at your best. You shine and show your true colors. This puts you in the best possible light for referrals and other invites. So if you have the option to network with the hot shots or build a true relationship with a few great people; I’d opt for the latter. In the end; networking is truly about relationships.

-          Outsource or get help with the aspects you like least.

Get a coach or resume writer on board for those steps you just can’t wrap your head around or just can’t motivate yourself to do. You’ll be amazed how much easier things become when you’re guided!

Final words of advice: remember that many small steps make a big effort so identify what makes you feel best and start there. Don’t try to be perfect as this will only lead to inertia and analysis paralysis. Be easy on yourself, look back on everything you’ve already accomplished and know that your next opportunity is around the corner. Even if it takes several months – which is not at all unusual these days. Don’t give up in the eleventh hour!

What other ways have you found that make job searching more fun for you? Or at least more bearable? Share them with the CareerBranches community at large, will you? Your thoughts are appreciated here! Your comments too, for that matter.   :   )

Do you do this?

To me, that’s life imitating art. Or something warped like that.

You may be surprised to hear me say this – as the resume expert – but come on folks! Do you really want to relinquish that much power to your resume?

What I see happening is people making career decisions – sometimes life decisions – primarily based on how it will look on their resume.

Of course, there may be situations where you don’t have a big preference for the options you’re considering, and if one of them looks a lot better on your resume, then it could makes sense.

But this living for your resume mentality is sad.

Here’s the thing: there probably is a reason you are driven to do something that you think is not going to look very good on your resume. It may be that you want to do something completely different, or take a sabbatical, or take a step back, or a few months off…

So do it!

The feelings and intuition and passion that guide us on our paths in life are hard enough for most of us to follow anyway. You don’t need another self-imposed, made-up reason why you can’t (read: won’t).

Because you know what? There are plenty of people in great careers at great companies with not-so-perfect resumes. And there are people with these so-called “perfect resumes” sitting at home being unemployed right now.

It doesn’t matter!

Who knows? During your sabbatical or your trip around the world, you could end up with inspiration to start your own business, meet your future spouse, or realize you want to switch careers altogether.

I’m not trivializing the role of the resume here. I’ve yet to meet someone who moved from one job (or career) to the next without having to produce a resume. And it’s true that hiring folks frown upon large employment gaps and stuff. So yes, it may be more challenging for you to create a strong resume next time around.

However, your resume is just one way of introducing yourself to an employer. There is so much more to you and how you present yourself. My advice is to hire a resume pro for any kind of challenging background anyway. (Full disclosure: I will gladly take you on as my client as working with people with not-so-standard backgrounds is my specialty).

But for crying out loud…don’t put off life out of fear for the “almighty resume!”

If you’ve got an interesting story to tell and you know what sets you apart, and if you can market and present yourself; “perfect resumes” be damned!

Resume Schmesume.

Ok?

Now, I want to know…are you guilty of “that won’t look good on my resume” talk? What have you NOT done out of fear it would “ruin” your resume? Tell me! And I’ll tell you whether you could revitalize that old dream or side step without fear from the resume gods.  ;  )