Five not so painful steps to your mojo back and get a great job

It's Sunday morning and I know many of you are dreading tomorrow. Not because you have to go to a high pressure/high stress job, but because you're not going to one. Which is arguably even more high pressure and high stress. There's training to teach you how to be successful in your position, but nobody taught you how to be successful in searching for a position. These days since we switch jobs so often, these skill may arguably be more important!

So I'm going to level with you, just because you happen to not have an official job title at the moment doesn't mean you're any less fabulous, smart, hip, savvy and in-demand as you were when you were commanding your ship. You've just put down the reigns for the moment. It's time to get your mojo back!

I personally am searching for my next opportunity, and I'll give it to you straight, I'm really good at integrated marketing, I'm also an exec MBA at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. I absolutely love business, I eat it up for 3 meals a day. Seriously. Fast Company is bedtime reading for me. So I've got a pretty good handle on what I like and what I'm good at. I am also luck enough to have a fantastic career coach. You may not be in a position to get one yourself, but I'm going to help you get on track. There are 5 steps, and they're not for rookies, or lazy people. Which is why they work!

Here's how to start:

Step 1

Define exactly what you are good at. This is the self discovery and realization, and it's not going to happen if you're making a dent in the couch watching daytime TV. Get out and live your life again. Start a workout plan, eat healthy and create an active routine for yourself. Your blood will pump to your head, and you'll get energized and motivated. You'll start exuding positive energy, and good things happen to those kinds of people. You'll also look dang good.

Some resources for Step 1:
The Strengths Finder 2.0 Buy this book for 10.00 and take the quiz online. You'll receive some great insights into your top 5 strengths and how best to utilize them.
Myer's Briggs Type Indicator Myer's Briggs is widely regarded as an accurate and well-represented personality type. It will give you great insights into how you like to work, and how you relate to the world and others.
LiveStrong.com Great resources to kick start a well-rounded lifestyle, health eating and a fitness routine. There's also an app to help track your nutrition while you're on the go.

Step 2

A very inspirational and smart gal about town gave me a really simple bit of advice. The simple stuff is often overlooked and it's usually the best. She told me to get really specific with myself about the type of job I wanted, the industries I wanted to work in. Essentially to imagine a dream job that I could actually obtain if all the stars aligned perfectly. Then keep this in mind and broaden my search to include all the various ways you could work in or with those industries to make it easier to step into the position I want. Think of all the different possible roads that lead into the position/industry that you want, and make sure your game plan covers them.
Resources for step 2:
The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search I cannot emphasize enough how helpful this book is. Most business and success books are absolutely garbage, some have 1 or 2 good chapters and the rest of it is garbage. I can honestly tell you I read 3/4 of this book. Get the book and read it. It will help you plan and organize your search, and execute it efficiently and effectively.

Step 3

Get out and tell people. Leveraging the powerful effects of networking is the best way to open doors and uncover new paths. If you haven't told everybody in your circle what you are looking for, then tell them. Now. Ask them if they know of any great companies where you might be a good fit. Ask them to keep you in mind. When you're out networking, tell people what you do, be genuine and enthusiastic. Ask them about themselves, listen to what they say. Easy huh? It's not too scary.
Resources for Step 3:
Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People, Get a Great Job
Girl About Town talks about Networking with Local Entrepreneur Sean Patrick

Step 4

You're meeting a lot of people, you're telling your story a lot. Your resume is probably flying from desk to desk of key people and decision makers in organizations. (Trust me, it probably it) You've got a lot of people on your team now, but you're still the driving force. It's not out of your hands, so keep things moving. Make a spreadsheet to track who you talked to and schedule follow ups. Ways to do this is outlined in the Highly Effective Job Search book.
Resources for Step 4:
Progress measurement chart

Step 5

Put your nose to the grindstone and get 'er done. But be good to yourself! If you are searching full time, you can put in about 4-5 hours of really good work per day. Then you've got to step away from the computer, put down your cell phone, and go have a life. Find other people who are searching to help motivate you. Find an accountability buddy. If it's a slow week and you feel like you're not making progress, look at your tracking sheet and you can visibly see what you've done.


Before long you'll score not only a job, but a great job for you. One that pays well and has you on track for the career you want. This will be you: