Blog – Page 3

Is Your Boss A Micromanager? 3 Tips To Help You Deal With The Situation

August 13, 2016 By jenowenby

Working for a micromanaging boss can be difficult, but what do you do when you love your job?

I used to work for a boss that needed updates and full control over every situation, and in the end, it cost the company. Every employee left within a few years, and none of the original employees stayed. It undermined confidence and growth in the individuals.

So, if you’re reporting to a micromanager, but love your job, how do you deal with the situation without losing your confidence?

First, take a thorough evaluation of your situation. Are you doing everything you can to not be micromanaged? Are you delivering projects on time? Are they complete? Have you done your best? Make sure there isn’t a reason you need to have hands on management.

Open up communication with him/her. Have you approached the situation in a positive manner? Check in and see how you can fine tune your productivity to match their expectations, therefore, eliminating the need for control by your manager.

Make sure you are both on the same page. In order to provide quality work, you need to be clear concerning your boss’s management style and communication. Make sure you’re flexible to support the companies needs. Ask for some leeway and offer to update them concerning projects.

When it comes down to it, it’s all about the balance between your need for freedom and the manager’s need for data and involvement. Take a positive approach to line up both of your needs and wants to create a win-win situation. If after some time has passed, you’re still struggling, it might be time to update your resume and look for a new position. Sometimes the situation can’t be fixed and if it’s weighing on your emotional well being then it’s time to leave.

If My Boss Finds Out I’m Looking For a New Job…Can I Get Fired?

July 19, 2016 By jenowenby

Looking for a new job while you still have one is smart. However, one of the biggest concerns is having your boss find out and losing your job. Here are some tips to assist you in your confidential job search.

Don’t attend job fairs. One job seeker reviewed the roster of participating employers at a job fair and didn’t see his company listed. However, as he made the rounds of the booths, his current boss spotted him, leading to an awkward conversation and his departure from the company sooner than he had originally planned. Some job fairs collect résumés and distribute them to all participating companies. A few companies enter these into a database to search for their company name to identify current employees looking for new jobs.

Don’t respond to “blind ads.” On a related note, do not submit your résumé for positions where the company name isn’t listed. More than one job seeker has applied for “the perfect job” only to find it was their job being advertised!

Don’t conduct your job search at work or on company time. This includes not making calls from your work phone or on your company cell phone or listing either of these numbers on your résumé. You may still receive incoming calls from recruiters and prospective employers on your work land line or cell phone, but you don’t want a record of you initiating these contacts using company resources. Only make calls at work when you’re on break or at lunch — again, from your personal cell phone. (If you take an early or late lunch, you’re more likely to catch the hiring manager or recruiter at his or her desk.) And make sure you make the call from somewhere you won’t be overheard.

Don’t use your company computer for your job search. First, your search history is traceable, and all your inbound and outbound emails are probably logged as well. Don’t store your résumé on your work computer, and do not use company printers or copiers to make copies of your résumé. It might be overkill, but also don’t connect to your company’s Wi-Fi — even when you’re conducting job search activities on your own time, using your own devices.

Don’t use your company email address on any of your job search correspondence.Again, not only is it probably being monitored but also it looks bad to a prospective employer that you are using company resources to support your job search.

Don’t post your résumé online. Not only is it likely to be found by someone at your current company, but also résumés posted publicly stay out there “forever.” Even removing contact information might not help you from being identified. When possible, apply only for positions you’re interested in, and apply directly on the company website, if possible, instead of through a job board.

Don’t schedule interviews during work hours. Schedule your interviews on your day off, before work, during lunch, or after work. You may have to be creative about when — and how — you interview.

Don’t post about your job search on social media. Also, don’t post about being unhappy in your current job on social media — no matter how locked down you think your privacy settings are. Anyone can take a screenshot of your post and share it with anyone else.

Don’t suddenly start attending lots of networking events if you haven’t regularly attended them before. However, if you do want to attend professional association or networking events, volunteer to help at the registration desk. You’ll get a chance to meet everyone who attends, without appearing that you’re trying to meet everyone.

Don’t lie if you are asked if you’re looking for a job. That’s especially important if that question comes from your current boss. If you’re asked, be honest — but you should also re-double your job search efforts. In the event of a layoff, you’ll likely be the first to be let go, “since you were planning on leaving anyway.”

Who Is In The Way of Your Career Growth?

July 19, 2016 By jenowenby

Have you entered a room full of people, and immediately felt the tension? Maybe it wasn’t a group of people, but a single person who was always dwelling on the negative and sucking everyone around them into the vortex of their turmoil. I had a friend refer to those situations and people as energy vampires.

Most people understand life happens, things come up, plans change and sometimes life just sucks, but it’s what we do in the situation that makes the difference. It begins with the thought process.

Simply asked, are you sabotaging your career? Are you looking for jobs online thinking you aren’t capable of landing the job? Is your energy low? Are you depressed? Are you walking into interviews doubting your abilities? Are you complaining about the job market?

Our thoughts precede our actions so if you’re thinking negatively about your job search that’s what you’re going to see. You will be so focused on the unfavorable you risk missing the right opportunity.

We all feel depressed sometimes, but instead of it controlling you and your career, take charge, be willing to perceive things differently and take control.

Most of us have a dream career or something close to it. So, a few minutes before you begin your job search, close your eyes and imagine what your day will look like at your desired job. What’s your position?What will your responsibilities be? What type of company? What are your boss and co-workers like? What’s your commute time? Pay? Vacation? Benefits? Imagine yourself doing this job successfully each day before conducting your job search.

There is an app for that. The Mindfulness app is available on iTunes. Here is a brief description: “The Mindfulness App helps you to reduce stress and increase well-being. Scientific research proves that regular practice for 20 minutes a day brings desired effects.” The app goes off randomly during the day and for 67 seconds you think of positive words, phrases, and affirmations. If you break the 67 seconds with negativity, you start over. This programs the brain to begin seeing the positive around you in any situation and at any time.

Take some time to think about your dream job and write down every detail. When finished; fold your paper, place it in an envelope and put it in a safe place. After you begin your new position, pull your paper out, and check off each detail that you received in your new job.
Don’t forget to play! Even if you’re in between jobs, there are cheap or free ways to play and have fun. Meet up with friends, BBQ, play with your kids, read a great book, watch the comedy channel, YouTube or turn on your favorite music. These activities boost endorphins, so play!

Pay it forward. When you’re feeling negative or down, find someone to help. What about the single mom at work? Elderly or disabled neighbor? Child? Volunteer with one of your favorite organizations like Habitat for Humanity or the local library for a few days while you’re looking for work.
If you enjoyed the post, please click the thumbs up icon above and let me know!

Jennifer Owenby offers her combined expertise as a recruiter along with training as a professional resume writer. Please visit ONB Professional Resume Services for additional information and scheduling an appointment. Also, visit here for LinkedIn Profile Services.

Applying Online? 5 Tips For A Successful Application

June 25, 2016 By jenowenby

When I was still recruiting the ATS system came out, and man was I glad to have some help scanning the hundreds of resumes that were landing in my inbox! But, as time went on, not all resumes were making it through the system which meant I was potentially losing some great candidates.

Here are tips to make sure you not only make it through the system, but to an actual human.

If you are applying online, know that your résumé/application may go through an Applicant Tracking System. More than a fourth of all companies use some kind of ATS. When in doubt, submit an ATS-friendly résumé.
When given the choice to upload your résumé or copy-and-paste as part of the online application process, upload a Word file (make sure it’s an ATS-compliant résumé format).
Check to see if the online submission form has a character limit before uploading. (For example: “Submissions are limited to 20,000 characters.”)
Make sure you’ve customized your résumé for the position, including relevant keywords. A “one-size-fits-all” approach does not work when the company uses an ATS for résumé screening.
Be sure to check your email after applying for a position online. Some applicant tracking system software will automatically acknowledge your submission; however, because these are automated responses, the message may be diverted to your spam folder.

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Want the Job? Do These 4 Things Before Your Interview

June 25, 2016 By jenowenby

What you do before, during, and after the job interview can significantly affect whether you are offered the job. This post is designed to help you maximize your chances of being offered the job you want.

Just like the purpose of the résumé is to get you an interview, the purpose of a job interview is to get you a job offer. The interview helps the decision-maker identify your qualifications for the position, but also assess things like personality, cultural fit, and your ability to do the job.

Before the Interview

First, let’s examine things you can do before the interview to improve your chances of securing a job offer.

Research The Company

Before you apply for a position, you should research the company. Not only will this help you tailor your résumé and cover letter for the job, it will also help you identify the real hiring decision-maker(s) — especially if the job posting directs you to apply to the human resources department.

At a minimum, you should:

Review the company’s website.Pay particular attention to the “About Us” page — and, if it’s a publicly-traded company, look at the information for investors. You’ll find a wealth of information about the company’s people, performance, and plans in the company’s reports.
Google the company.Conduct both a regular Google search as well as a search on Google News (http://news.google.com/). The Google News search will identify any recent news articles featuring the company. You can also set up a Google Alert (http://www.google.com/alerts) for the company so that you will be notified via email when there is something new about the company online.
Assess the company’s social media presence.Check out their Facebook business page, company page on LinkedIn, and/or Twitter account. They may also have a company Google+ page, Instagram account, or Pinterest boards. Take the time to look at what the company posts on its social media accounts. This will help you get an idea of the company culture, and may give you a clue as to how the employees dress, as well as what kind of community involvement the company supports.
Check out the company on Glassdoor.com.On Glassdoor, you’ll be able to get “inside” company information from employees and folks who have interviewed at the company. There is no charge to join the site, but the site uses “crowdsourcing” to collect data, so you will be asked to provide information on previous or current employers to add (anonymously) to the Glassdoor database.

Once you have been contacted for an interview, ask for the name of the person who will be interviewing you (if it’s not the person who contacted you to set up the interview). An easy way to do this is to ask, “Who will be conducting the interview?” You can also ask, “Will anyone else be participating in the interview?”

Make sure you get the correct spelling of the interviewer’s name. Conduct a Google search on this person, and look them up on LinkedIn. If you are going to be interviewed by a committee or group, ask for the names of all participants if possible.This will also give you a list for thank you notes afterwards.
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Job Boards Not Working Well In Your Job Search?

May 19, 2016 By jenowenby

Did you know that the least effective way to find a job is to apply for advertised openings, sending your resume online through a company employment portal or a third-party website? You are just one of hundreds or thousands of applicants.

To increase your chances of securing an interview, you need to bypass the company’s Human Resources department and get your resume in the hands of the hiring manager. The hiring manager is the person in the company with the ultimate authority to offer you the job. In a small company, it might be the owner or the individual who reports to the owner. In a larger company, it might be your future direct supervisor or a specific department manager.

There are two ways to get your resume directly to the hiring manager; by email or snail mail. Yes, the old fashioned way with a postage stamp is highly recommended. It used to be effective to fax your resume to a hiring manager, but not any longer. In many cases, you should email the hiring manager and send your resume along with a customized cover letter manager by mail. Although you may be tempted to skip this step, or only send an email, don’t. You’re guaranteed more attention as a sincere candidate if you put in the extra effort and mail a hard copy of your resume and cover letter. Few applicants will go to the trouble to do this, and it can really help you stand out.

Another tip, send your resume and cover letter on quality paper stock (not just the typical copier paper that’s probably in your printer). Mail them, unfolded, in a plain white or manila 9×12 envelope. Make sure you affix enough postage. (Yes, it may cost you $2 to send your resume by mail, but it can really help you make a strong first impression.)

Hiring managers will recognize your sincerity and ambition by following these two simple steps which will automatically help you stand out from the competition.

How To Grab A Hiring Manager’s Attention

April 26, 2016 By jenowenby

Researching your desired job can also help you identify your unique positioning. Looking at job postings can help, but you should also consider going further in-depth. These sites can help:

O*NET Online (http://www.onetonline.org/)
This website was created for the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration by the National Center for O*NET Development. The O*NET program is “the nation’s primary source of occupational information,” according to the site. It contains information on hundreds of occupations and is available to job seekers at no cost.

Every occupation requires unique knowledge, skills, and abilities. These occupational characteristics are outlined on the site. The occupational descriptions, which include descriptions of day-to-day work, along with qualifications and interests of the typical worker, allow job seekers to identify unique positioning opportunities for themselves in their job search.

You can also access the O*NET® Interest Profiler, a free tool (available for immediate download) to assess your occupational interests. The tool offers personalized career suggestions based on your interests and level of work experience.

Access the tool here: http://www.onetcenter.org/IP.html

My Next Move (http://www.mynextmove.org/)
You can start your research on an O*NET affiliated site, My Next Move. The site is an interactive tool for job seekers to learn more about career options. It includes descriptions, skills, and salary information for more than 900 professions. You can identify careers through a keyword search, by browsing industry classification, or through the O*NET Interest Profiler.

My Next Move is maintained by the National Center for O*NET Development under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration.

When you identify a profession, you can assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in the role. These can often provide guidance for positioning yourself. The “Personality” and “Technology” sections also give insight into your personal positioning.

The “On the Job, You Would” information includes common job functions. Look to see if these are areas where you excel — this can be a point of differentiation.

Also, check out the “Also Called” information under the occupation for related job titles you can use in your personal positioning tagline.

America’s Career InfoNet (http://www.careerinfonet.org/)
This website is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop program. The website includes occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools, and career exploration assistance.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/)

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) provides information on what workers do, working conditions, what qualifications are required for success in the position, pay, job outlook, similar occupations, and sources of additional information for research for more than 300 occupational profiles.

To find an occupation, browse the occupational group of interest on the left-hand side of the website, or use the “A-Z Index” (if you know the specific occupation). You can also enter a job title into the “Search Handbook” box at the top of the site. You can also search for occupations by pay range, education level, training, projected number of new jobs, and projected job growth rate — using the “Occupation Finder” or occupation selector drop-down menus on the homepage. If you can’t find an occupation you are interested in, look in the alphabetical index, using similar occupational titles to search for an occupation.

Glassdoor (http://www.glassdoor.com/)

You can also research your prospective employer to identify how to effectively position yourself to work at that specific company. Glassdoor is an excellent way to assess what is important to the employer and how you might fit in.

Creating Your Positioning

The first step is a brainstorming exercise. Make a list of possible attributes, values, and differentiators based on the exercises above and your research. Brainstorm first — don’t judge or evaluate.

Then, you get to decide what your personal positioning is. Look through the words and phrases you’ve identified, and see what stands out. You may be many things, but pick one to emphasize. It may help you to ask yourself: If I were creating my ideal career, I would ____________.

If you are still having trouble identifying your positioning, use this idea from Brian Kurth, author of “Test Drive Your Dream Job.” Create a collage of your interests — quotes, photos, words, and inspiration from magazines, newspapers, and materials you find online. You can even create a Pinterest board for this. Then, mine that information to find the “theme” to your personal positioning.

Now, it’s time to actually create your positioning. Your personal position has two parts: A tagline and a full positioning statement. Your personal positioning should be authentic, relevant, compelling, and differentiate you from others.

The full positioning statement has an immediately clear focus supported by 3-5 main points that further emphasize that focus. This positioning statement will be used throughout your resume, LinkedIn profile, and the interviewing process.

When developing your positioning statement, consider these five areas:
Who is your target employer? (industry, size of company, public/private/non-profit)
What problem or issue are they hiring to solve?
What results can the employer expect by hiring you? In other words, what solution do you provide?
What proof do you have that you can deliver results?
What sets you apart from other candidates? What makes you different or memorable?

Your personal positioning tagline is one sentence – ideally, 5-10 words in length. It should be easily understandable and easy to remember.

This formula can be used to create your tagline:
Job Title à Differentiator

This may be expressed without pronouns. For example:
Big Four Accountant With Operations Experience in Fortune 500 Companies
Security Guard with Anti-Terrorist Training and Ability to Identify Hidden Patterns
Hazmat Manager with Mechanical Engineering Degree From University of Virginia

Your full positioning statement is that tagline, but backed up by qualifications, accomplishments, and/or evidence. The full statement might be a single sentence, or it might be 3-5 sentences in length. Offer supporting details to back up your accomplishment claims.

Both should be clear and concise and written in present tense. They should highlight your expertise and unique abilities. You can “name drop” by including well-known companies, schools, and credentials in your positioning.

Here is a sample formula for your personal positioning statement:
Job Title à Target Audience/What You Do à Industry/Field à Achievements/Results

This is expressed as: I am a (Job Title/Profession) who (Works With Target Audience OR Who Does X/Y/Z) in the (Industry/Field) to (Highlight Accomplishments or Results).

For example:
I am a public relations specialist who provides media relations and race promotion services to the cycling community to help races attract more participants, media attention, and sponsor support.

Be sure to include:
A target audience — who are the clients or customers you work with?
Your employer/industry — where do you want to work? Who do you want to work for? You can even include your desired employer’s name.
A point of difference — what sets you apart? What is the most compelling reason to choose you as a candidate? (This can be included in the “Achievements/Results” section of the personal positioning statement.)

But don’t try to stuff too much information into the statement. The positioning statement is “overstuffed” if you have more than one conjunction per sentence, or more than two punctuation marks (commas or semicolons).

Also, don’t confuse big words with effective positioning. Choose your words carefully. When possible, incorporate in keywords — nouns or phrases that can be picked up through online searches and are prominently used in applicant tracking systems.

Do’s and Don’ts
Here are things you should do:
Do make sure your positioning reflects your personality.
Do incorporate in keywords (nouns, industry-specific terminology, and skills) into your personal positioning.
Do be authentic. Make sure your personal positioning reflects your personal values, qualifications, and attributes.

Here are some things you should not do:
Don’t go on and on. Don’t tell your whole life story. Get to the point quickly.
Don’t be too general. One of the biggest mistakes with your personal position is not being specific enough. The more specific you are, the more effective your personal positioning will be.
Don’t be boring. You need to get the reader’s attention! Be interesting.

Positioning Can Make It Easier to Find a Job
Recruiters and hiring managers need help knowing what kind of position you’re focused on. It’s harder to find a job when you don’t know what kind of job you want. Conversely, it is easier to find a job if you know what kind of job you want.

There are fewer opportunities for average performers to be found in the hiring process, but there are tremendous opportunities for stars. Positioning helps you identify where you can be a star performer and then make the case (through your work and your career communication documents) to support this claim.

The next step is to align your job search with your positioning. Make sure your resume and interview preparation supports this and makes your case.

Build Your Personal Position Before You Start Looking for a Job
Many job seekers develop their personal positioning when they are looking for a new job. But personal positioning can help you be more effective — and visible — in your current job.

In your current job, get attention for the work you’re already doing:
Offer to do a presentation showing your (or your group’s) accomplishments for the quarter.

Contact your company’s communications department to see if they are interested in doing an article for the company newsletter on a recent project.
Make sure you are keeping an “Accomplishments Journal” documenting your current career successes.

Develop your own communications plan in your current position. Increase your personal visibility by speaking, writing, and participating in social media. Once you’ve identified your personal positioning, see how you can incorporate it into your everyday work life. This will make you worth more to your current employer (remember, superstars stand out!) and make you more attractive as a job candidate when it is time for you to look for a new position.

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard In Your Interview

April 15, 2016 By jenowenby

Does this sound familiar?

“Hi, may I speak with Ellen?”
“This is Ellen; who’s calling?”
“This is Janelle from ABC Company.”
“Who?”
“You applied for the operations manager position.”
“Oh yes, I’m sorry. I’ve applied for so many jobs!”
“I understand, are you available to speak for a few minutes?”
“Yes, yes I am,” Ellen responds while madly searching emails trying to identify details for the position.

Been caught in this situation? I have, and it was embarrassing. Although your resume is the first impression, it’s not your last. When the phone rings, usually at the most inopportune time, are you prepared for a potential employer on the other end? Here are four ways to make sure you’re not caught off guard and blow the interview before you even get one.

1. Keep an Excel spreadsheet of the companies applied for, date of application, which website (Indeed, Career Builder, Glassdoor, etc.), title of the position, location, and a brief description. If a company doesn’t list its name, you are most likely applying through a staffing agency so use their name when you identify it.
2. Most of us want to eliminate paper, and there’s no need to print off every posting, so be sure that you write plenty of notes on your spreadsheet. However, if several positions are similar, I suggest printing off those job postings.
3. Save your Excel spreadsheet to your computer, but also print off a copy and place it in a folder to keep in your car or purse in case you’re called while shopping or running errands. If you can pull over, ask them to hold and grab your information.
4. What happens if you receive a call while you’re driving, and you can’t pull over? There is nothing wrong with stating that fact and asking if they can call you back in half an hour when you can safely talk. No one is asking you to take a job interview while driving in rush hour traffic. In fact, most people will respect you for not putting others in danger.

When you stay organized, you relieve stress, and the person on the phone will be impressed with your organizational skills.

Is Your Job Stressing You Out?

April 5, 2016 By jenowenby

Would it surprise you to find that a staggering 70% of Americans hate their job? When we are unhappy with our job, everything in our life suffers including physical and mental health, finances, stress levels, and family just to name a few. So what do you do? We spend more time at our workplace than home. If you’re miserable, take a step back and gain some clarity.

It’s In the Attitude

First, stay positive. Our attitudes affect everything we touch, and others easily detect a negative attitude. Whenever the negative thoughts threaten to take over, take a moment to recognize everything you are grateful for. This simple mental exercise, done three to four times a day, can be an inner game changer.

Don’t Stay in a Place of Desperation

Second, realize that although you’re not happy with your job that you aren’t desperate either. You have the luxury of being able to choose and not take just anything that will pay the bills. Instead, you can accept a better position that offers growth opportunities and a salary increase.

Hire a Professional

Third, get the guidance that you need to succeed. It’s not just about putting any ol’ resume online anymore. To be successful and place yourself in a better position, you need a strategy and a resume that stands out from the rest of the crowd.

Understand Your Value

Fourth, understand your uniqueness. If you aren’t clear about it, employers won’t be either. If you don’t capitalize on your value, then companies will move on leaving you with a missed opportunity. If you aren’t sure what your value is then take a few minutes and write down what comes easily to you. Most often we don’t identify our value because it flows so easily into everything we do. For example, are you a great communicator? Can you deliver complex information in easy to understand instructions? Make a list and capitalize on what you discover.

Rest &Relaxation

When people are dealing with a large amount of stress, it’s easy to stay focused on the problem. However, if you take a few minutes to refresh, and recharge you can shift your frustrations into a better mood. What works for you? Music? Reading? Disconnecting and watching a good movie? Hiking? Swimming? Allow yourself some time to recharge.

7 Steps to Maintaining Your Sanity During a Job Search

April 5, 2016 By jenowenby

I was just speaking to a client the other day, and she mentioned how difficult and stressful her job search was. She was working 10-12 hours a day which left her tired and frustrated, and she didn’t have the time she needed to get her desired results.

So, what do you do? How do you manage the daunting task and overwhelm of building a resume, organizing your job search, working, and not losing your sanity?

Stay Organized

It is a proven fact that people who stay organized reduce stress. Any job search, whether you are choosing to make the change or forced to change, is difficult. Start an Excel spreadsheet and list the jobs applied for, company name, date, brief description, and copy and paste the full ad into a word document. If you only save the link, when the ad is removed, you can no longer access the information online.

When you keep track through excel and word, you can easily review the job description before the interview. You can also search the company on Google for additional preparation.

Don’t be afraid to get professional help

Hiring someone to write a professional document and breathe life into your resume, LinkedIn summary, and cover letter is an excellent investment in your career. I find the majority of people struggle with writing their resume and need a professional to bring fresh insight into their career and experience. The expression “too close to the forest to see the trees” is often correct. Examine the areas where you need the most help. Does your resume truly bring to light your accomplishments? Is it focused? Do you struggle with interviews? Is there a gap or two in your employment and you’re not sure how to handle it in your resume or interview?

Results of working with a professional

The majority of my clients are landing jobs in 4-8 weeks, and an average of $10,000 annual pay increase. This cuts through time, lost wages, dealing with unemployment that barely covers the bills, stress on your health, and relationships.

Career counseling

I’ve met some wonderful people, and before working together concerning their resume they needed some clarity regarding the direction of their career. I recently partnered with a fantastic career counselor and coach, for those located in the Portland metro region in Oregon, Andrea King with Careerful Counseling Services. Andrea can assist with a new career path, identify and remove barriers, and help make changes. Visit her at www.careerful.com for additional information. She provides the coaching, and I write the resumes. I highly recommend her.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Breathe and stay calm. It might sound stupid, but when you are stressed you take shallow breaths. Deep breathing releases not only toxins in your body but releases tension as well. When the negativity is taking over your thoughts, stop for 68 seconds and think positive thoughts. This helps shift from stress and into a positive mindset. Do it as often as you find yourself anxious, mad, sad or frustrated. If you think a negative thought during those 68 seconds, start over. After doing this several times a day for a few weeks, you will automatically begin seeing things in a more positive light, including your job search.

Get focused

Schedule dedicated time each day to connect with people who can further your job search. Post your resume on indeed and other websites, update your LinkedIn profile showing you are available for opportunities and apply for jobs. A job search is a job in itself so dedicate a few hours each day sending out your resume and connecting with others. Basically, lather, rinse repeat.

Make time for some fun

Most people are on a budget, especially if they are not working so find something fun and relaxing that has nothing to do with a job or lack of. It is a proven fact when someone takes a break, does something relaxing and even mundane the subconscious assists with problem-solving. Take a walk outside and soak up some sun. 15 minutes of sunshine is a good dose of Vitamin D that assists in mood elevation, and it is summer time so get some exercise. The doctors are saying sitting is the new smoking”. In other words, sitting all day is just as detrimental to your health. To be prepared and move into your new career and job, be ready and take care of yourself.