Unfortunately, the trend today is for people to polish their resume and submit hundreds of copies via online job sites hoping that they will get a hit.  Many job seekers are applying for anything and everything that is remotely appealing and this technique is not yielding successful results. In reality, job seekers should work backwards visualizing their dream job and then plan a strategy to find a rewarding opportunity in their respective field. It’s true that you can’t get what you want unless you know what you are looking for. The one-size-fits-all resume will never serve you well, and neither will submitting aimless applications for anything that is posted on the job boards. Slow down and take the time to figure out what you really want.

Figure out what kinds of jobs appeal to you first and target your applications accordingly. Focus on your skills and strengths and really consider what you enjoy doing. Taking the time for honest self reflection will save you emotional stress by avoiding a bad career choice that doesn’t match your values, interests, skills and personality in the long run.

Once you know what you want, begin to build relationships with people who do the same kind of work you are pursuing. Chances are you already have these people in your network, or others may know people who can make an introduction on your behalf. By starting with the end in mind and planning from there you can spend your time wisely to build meaningful contacts that could lead to opportunities.

You need to be able to articulate your story about who you are and what you want to do next. Networking is not about asking others for a job. It’s about engendering trust and respect and learning from others so you can move forward with your career goals. Whenever possible, meet face-to-face with your contacts. It’s more personable than phone or email and enables others to see you in action. Strut your professional stuff and make a lasting positive impression. Seek out informational interviews and avoid being a well kept secret by conducting your job search in public.

Research tells us that currently only 4-5% of jobs are secured through job boards and over 80% are found through effective networking. So develop a plan and take the time to meet with people to learn about opportunities, and put yourself out there. There is great wisdom in the philosophy Ready, Aim, Fire! If you do not prepare, you won’t even know what you are shooting for.

Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity or wanting to re-ignite an existing job, you need to be able to tell your professional story. Most interviews start with the Tell Me About You question which is the ideal chance for you to take the lead and deliver your best story. But you should also be able to tell your tale in casual conversation because you just never know who you are going to meet on a given day.

Your story should focus on what you do well and what you really want. Don’t get hung up about job titles but focus on skills and competencies that give you strength and discuss scenarios where you can illustrate an ideal career fit. Remember, this is storytelling so you want to engage your listeners and customize the message depending on the audience. Canned answers are the worst and don’t showcase your authentic self.

Telling a story requires self awareness about what you really want, so take the time to reflect first. If a network connection asks what you are looking for and you can’t answer, then chances are this person will not be able to help you.

Compelling stories about real people in real situations are the currency of far-reaching, emotional impact. Stories motivate, persuade, inform and inspire. Stories are memorable and powerful. They can be cathartic. They move us.  They change our beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Use the genre of storytelling to get your message across and make an emotional and impactful connection with your network.

I had the great pleasure of attending a webinar by Carolyn Wiethoff, professor at the IU Kelley School of Business and an expert on organizational behavior. She gave some startling statistics about how women still earn between 60-80% of what men are earning in the same positions across different career fields. Her research attributes this to the good old boys club, male dominated work cultures, and overt discrimination, which are not new issues for 2010. What surprised me was her report that some women are also lacking breadth in their work projects such as opportunities to work on international assignments and complex cases because some bosses feel they might not be able to handle it due to family constraints.

While research supports that women do prefer positions with flexibility, it’s also important for women to ask for what they want in a work environment. Men are 58% more likely to ask for a higher starting salary when an offer is made while most women just take the job, as is.  Women who do reach the pinnacle of C-level or executive positions are often considered oddities referred to as the female doctor, or female CEO. I’ve never heard a single reference about a male CEO. I find it unsettling that in 2010 women have not advanced significantly in the equality arena and are still openly discriminated against in the workforce similar to conditions decades ago.

But, my take-away optimistic hope from Wiethoff is that from here on out we need to redefine equality. Women should be encouraged to seek out male mentors and role models (in addition to women!) to integrate in the male dominated work environments. When men and women both take advantage of flex time, maternity/paternity and family leave, we will move closer to this not being something that only women have to do in order to take care of their families. I look forward to the day when telecommuting and utilizing technology to accomplish the job virtually are acceptable options for all and not special dispensations for a limited few.

Lastly, Wiethoff shared that the generation of young women entering the workforce now are more focused than their predecessors on work/life balance and choose careers that empower them to raise families and lead quality lives out of the office. Once again it all comes down to values and what you prioritize and cheers to these women for knowing what they want. All women and especially those who consciously choose the path of the C-level executive because it fits their values and provides gratification, should ask for more money and you will probably get it! The book It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor by Rebecca Shambaugh is worth checking out.

Always an athlete, Debbie Waitkus played on the soccer team at the University of Arizona and after graduate school she went on to establish a thriving corporate career as president of a 37 year old, $130 million private mortgage banking firm.  She always attributed golf as one of her keys to success since she would take her clients on golf outings to establish and steward professional relationships and business deals. When the CEO of her firm implemented a new strategy that didn’t follow suit with her professional values, Debbie knew it was time for a change and what better way to plan her reinvention than to leverage the game of golf in a new business. Read Full Story

These unstable economic times make it especially tough for first time job seekers that are beginning to forge their career paths. It’s also tough for seasoned professionals that find themselves out of work with rising unemployment rates.

The truth is, in this economic climate sometimes you must take a job that won’t help you move up the rungs of your personal career ladder. In difficult times it’s more common than not for job seekers to take opportunities outside of their field, below their pay grade, and far removed from their dream job classification. Student loans, credit card debt, and the general cost of living cannot be put on hold when you are unemployed but that not-so-perfect job can be a stop gap measure to make ends meet – and that’s ok.

These are very emotional times for job seekers and career changers. I have seen many clients and students wrestling with depression and a roller coaster of highs and lows. Be sure to tap into your personal and professional resource group and find the support system you need. Give yourself permission to take the job that will help you stay afloat financially right now but don’t lose sight of your goals and aspirations. This bad economy is a moment in time and it too shall pass.

Landing your dream job is a journey. If you feel stuck in a position now without hope of getting out, remember that you should always be strategizing about ways to move forward. Continue to develop your network and be your own best advocate by showcasing your personal brand and value add to all those who will listen. The economy is also the perfect excuse for a future employer who questions an entry on your resume. You can easily showcase your resilience, ability to deal with adversity and change by explaining why you took a job that was outside of your field or level of experience. Employers know the realities of this economy too and they will applaud you for staying in the game.

In November I was interviewed by Chicke Fitzgerald on Transition Solutionz blog talk radio.  I discussed identifying your personal brand, playing to your strengths and the power of networking in the job search process. Check out the archived interview online http://www.blogtalkradio.com/resumelive/2009/11/10/transition-solutionz-series

Transition Solutionz has a theory. They believe that being in career transition is not a “lesser state of being”.  In fact, they love the term “on sabbatical”. This show is for those that are unemployed, under-employed, self-employed and needing encouragement and those that may still be employed but looking for a change. It is time to reinvent yourself, to toot your own horn and to learn to focus on what you love and how to leave your legacy. Truly, the money will follow. I applaud Transition Solutionz for their empowered approach to career transition!