Want to set a goal for 2011

Resolve to Be Employable!

For the unemployed, many of you have settled in to new routines over the past months or years.

I want you to think back and imagine when you used to be employed. You woke up at a certain time, you came home at a certain time, you had arrangements for your spouse, for your kids, for making life work while you were at work.

You had gas for the car. You had rides to the train, your transportation was arranged. If someone in the family needed something, you probably couldn’t help because you were at work. If there was a doctor appointment, a dentist appointment, you more then likely wouldn’t take off from work, you would arrange the appointments around work. Now that you have been unemployed, you have become a housekeeper, the person that can run errands , can watch the kids,do the shopping, do laundry, clean the house.

I am sure you can add more to your busy list.

With all of these things that need to be done everyday, how isit that will find time to be employed?

It would almost seem impossible, so it might be time to make some choices to be employable.

Because when you tell your future employer:

• That you can't make an interview because you cant find a baby sitter
• That you can't start because you have to watch someone else’s kid
• That you can't make it to work or an interview because the spouse needs the car
• That you can't make a late interview because you have to pick up the kids from school.

Hiring managers can sense it. They get a feeling that your not interested when in reality you want the work but have to much on your unemployed plate to be employed. So they turn you down.

YES… Life happens, and yes all of these things do need to get done. But you did them before, when you were employed.

Do you remember being employed?

Lets look at being Employable!

You don’t get a 2 week notice for an interview or job offer.

This is an opportunity, and you need to ready, and have enough want and desire to go get it.

Imagine yourself getting that opportunity.

What is it that you might be doing right now that would keep you from starting TODAY?

If you were offered a job to START today, what would you need?

Make yourself a check list.

You need:

• A means of transportation.
• A baby sitter.
• A way for the kids to get to and from school.
• You might have to re arrange doctor and dentist appointments. (Actually, you might want to rearrange them to time or days as if you were working. If you are projecting that you will be available a month from now to take on these appointments, then you will be available.)

What else needs to be done as if you were working?

Get in the mindset that you are working, and let others know that the you have hung up your chauffeur hat and that you are back to work now.

I wish all a Happy and Employable New Year.

Dennis

***ATTENTION COACHING SESSIONS AVAILABLE!Coaching is available through any combination of in-person, telephone, or email support. Are you prepared to navigate the current job market? If you would like to increase your chances and give yourself a real chance to win the next position. I have developed a simple easy to use and affordable product http://www.mypocketapplication.com/Email me, or call Dennis Scherer for more information!630-571-6025

**Photo of The Office - NBC - No Copyright Infringement intended

Hello, My Name is

Hi Dennis! How are you???

If I only interviewed one or two people a year, I might recognize your voice. Otherwise when you call, I probably don’t know who you are. I know you might think you are the only one applying for the position, but I hate to break the news to you, your not.

We are not your career psychologist; we are not mind readers, we don’t know you before you call. Help us, and stop asking questions I can’t answer without twenty more questions like:

• Did you get my resume I emailed it 2 minutes ago (again I don’t know your name)
  
• Are you hiring?
  
• Can I work from home (when I list a location)
  
• Is this part time (when I list it is full time)
  
• Telling me I’m un-American because I want bilingual speaking people
  
• What kind job is this (its on the posting)
  
• Where is it (again on the posting)
  
• Your life story and your full work history (breathe, pause let us ask you questions
  

Here are some things to use to make your communication clearer if you are responding to a job posting or inquiring about a job.

First READ the ad. Now I know that takes a minute of your life but trust me it will help you with understanding what kind of candidate they need and if you qualify.

When calling, let us know this;

• Who you are, not just first name, for I know a lot of Bobs
  
• What you are calling for.
  
• Hello, My name is ….. “I am calling in regard to…….” I feel I would be a great fit because I have …… skills”
  

Be clear, direct and to the point.

Why do I write this article? Because we have received over 200 resumes and almost as many calls from a local craigslist ad we placed. The phone was ringing non stop. I understand you want work, and I want to hire someone. To be that someone , please help me out, by letting me know how you fit the job.

Dennis