January 2018

Welcome to the January 2018 Treasury showing you how you can direct your job search, manage your career, or work as a consultant -- with content you can use now.

Do you look at a new year as unexplored potential, like I do? When anything can happen, and you can make anything happen? Then January is your month! Obviously, it kicks off a whole new year on our calendar and the words "potential" and "opportunity" reign. What do YOU see ahead for you?

Is this your year? You can make it so. It takes goals but also needs planned activity that goes after those goals. Keep reading for more on how to make it all happen.

         - Joanne Meehl, aka The Job Search Queen -
With over
 14 years 
guiding job searches
and advising professionals on career strategy! 

The 5 MOST important words in networking
 
 
Networking is an established method of connecting with people, thus smart (i.e., career-minded) people never stop networking. Whether you're a job hunter, or a consultant seeking clients, networking as a consistent practice is key to your growth as a professional.
 
That's because networking gives you something and asks of you to give something.
 
Clients and others might think I just "preach" networking. But I do it, too, because it's a proven way of getting referral clients and of giving back to my network.
 
Developing a "referral stream" (see its originator Jim Bear on YouTube for more) - when applied to job search - is how amazing people who seem to make leaps forward in their careers hear about openings so they seldom have to actually go looking for such leads.
 
Yet the perception persists that networking is this one-sided thing that forces a person to be gregarious and outgoing even if they really aren't those things. That isn't networking, that's acting. If we could only change the word networking to "helping others", oh how easy it would be to get people to do it!
 
With a helping others attitude, it's easy to see how networking is really a two-way street, and easier to make the networking appointment, to have the networking meeting (because you forget about yourself and focus on
them), and do the networking follow-up.
 
Let's take it a step further and let me suggest that you make sure you always include in these networking meetings the 5 most important words of networking: "How can I help YOU?"
 
It's good practice when starting a networking meeting to frame it out, saying "Certainly I want to get your thoughts on Big Data and get your recommendations on who to talk to next, but I'm hoping you also will tell me
how I can help you."
 
Then keep that goal front and center as you go through the meeting. By doing so, you are being genuine about your networking.
 
You are giving as well as getting.
 
And yes, you're truly helping the other person while they are helping you.
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Related topic: For some tips on how to come up with your 1-2 target companies while in job search, click here

Keep a career journal or diary

 
One of the things I strongly urge clients of all levels to do once they land a new position is to keep a career "diary". 

A diary or journal is where you keep track of 1) new tasks and new responsibilities you handled well, and 2) what you're learning. In short, it's keeping track of your increasing knowledge and growing list of successes.

Why is it important to keep track of your accomplishments while on the job? The big things you'll remember but there are many other achievements that can get lost. I can't tell you how many clients say, years later, "If only I could remember all the great things I did on that job!" Keeping a log or diary of your achievements is very helpful when it comes time for your review. And while in job search, it is extremely useful when updating your resume. 

Whatever method you use -- pen on paper, a tablet, your phone or laptop -- track these achievements on the date they occur, not at some later time. Trying to remember these juicy tidbits months or years later, especially when under pressure, can be frustrating. So jot them down as they happen and you'll thank yourself later.

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Yes, Joanne helps people to make career shifts and changes. Contact Joanne today to start your change!

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. 
 
- Maya Angelou

Your career is the treasury of your life.
 
         Joanne Meehl

More:

Do you know a December 2017 college grad who's in job search and not getting much traction? Tell them about Joanne's videos and many other resources from the panel of career experts:  CollegeRecruiter.com

Blog: Even a career coach's husband can get laid off.  

The Job Search Queen and The Resume Queen are trademarks held by Joanne Meehl
Joanne Meehl Career Services, 11292 86th Avenue North, Suite 101, Maple Grove / Minneapolis, MN 55369
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