Are You Fit for the Interview?

FIT

“A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape.” ~ Mark Twain

Sometimes you have to get in the thick of things to see what is really happening, and that’s what I’ve been doing the past few weeks for a new local start up organization. Interviewing…and interviewing some more, for 20 new positions.

What I am about to share with you reconfirms what I have written about in the past. The issue is FIT. I’ve always advocated figuring out what you are good at; the skills, attributes and expertise you can bring to the table, and then going after job opportunities by applying to positions you 1) currently have qualifications for, or 2) you have a desire to do.

I often hear, “I can’t apply for that, because I don’t have the experience” or “They will never interview me, because they are looking for someone who has done that before.”, or “I’m certain someone will be a better fit.”

I’m here to tell you that the people hired for the position I was interviewing these past few weeks, were a mixed bag….and almost all of them did NOT have the experience listed in the job posting!

How did they get hired? They were interesting, informed, presentable, and passionate about the job and industry they were interviewing for and it showed up big time in the interview. They talked about their travels and life experiences, and how their knowledge could help them be more effective in the position. Most of all, each one of the applicants had a vision for where the opportunity could take them, and they were not afraid to share this vision with the recruiter. Did I mention they were interesting????

The moral to this story is to not worry today if you are not an absolute “fit” for a job posting. If you want the job, apply. Stop setting self-imposed limitations, and you might be surprised what will open up for you. Don’t worry if you don’t fit every single element of the job description. Just go for it, but only go for it if you can profess a passion for the position in the interview.


GOOD NEWS: The news on the job front is positive for the month of February. Straight growth in lower unemployment and higher number of job openings (remember, I have just filled nearly 20). Growth is happening and continues to move forward in small steps, but forward nonetheless. Continue to seek out opportunities on aggregate sites like http://www.simplyhired.com/ or http://www.indeed.com/.

CONGRATULATIONS: Heard from a couple of you about interviews set for last week and the upcoming week. Good luck and please let me know how things go.

BACTS FACT: “Come to the interview with amazing confidence to demonstrate that you are the one for the job and make the recruiter forget you are missing elements of the job posting!” ~J. Smith

THAT'S IT: So often we see ourselves in one way and one way only and don’t open our minds to the possibility that others will see us differently. It’s not until you can offer alternatives to yourself that others might agree with you! Expand your job search. Enter terms on online job searches for jobs you have a passion for (but haven’t done before) and see what the search offers.

“Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities.” ~ Terry Josephson

Good luck on the job search this week,Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483http://www.inlandmgtgroup.com/
http://www.janmsmith.com/
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

AMBITION

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” ~ Bill Bradley

I wrote this BACTS Update this weekend from a secret little corner of a convention center in Las Vegas that grants some reprieve from the constant torrent of sound from a thousand volleyball girls, parents, and whistles echoing in unison.

This weekend is all about ambitious young women trying to get noticed by college coaches. They have worked hard to perfect their athletic skills and have used this weekend as a showcase to network with college coaches to “show their stuff.” I relate this whole weekend recruiting experience to what all of you are going through. You’ve perfected your skills, and you want to be noticed too. The question is: How ambitious are you? What are you doing to get noticed?

The prospective college athlete does their homework. They research the colleges of interest, find the email address for the coach and write them, include a skills video (their version of a resume), and then follow up routinely with multiple emails and calls. Their ambition is undeniable. They know there is much competition between players and schools. They find a way to get on the radar of the college and coach they are interested in.

Similarly, the competition between candidates and available positions remain stiff. Here are a few tips to help increase your odds for getting on the radar of the company you are interested in working for.

· Identify 10 companies you have interest in that you have not contacted.

· Get the name of the hiring manager (for your department of interest) either on the website, or call the main switchboard and ask for this information. Do not rely on Human Resources to completely understand the match between your expertise /resume and the match for the position. Email the hiring manager directly.

· Do some research on this person through LinkedIn or Google. Find out if you have anything in common (i.e. schools, previous industry or company. connection, or something of a personal nature such as both of you are tri-athletes, or are both soccer coaches…) Use this information somehow creatively in your cover letter.

· Look carefully at your cover letter and resume. I mean REALLY look at it. Is it concise, precise and to the point? Does it tell the recruiter what you did in your last position and how it positively affected the company’s bottom line? Is it easy to follow and understand? As mentioned above, try to creatively connect with the hiring manager with the wording and content in your cover letter. Let’s say you find out you both have some sport association. Mention something along the lines of, “As a long time soccer coach, I understand the importance of building a team and creating a vision for success…”

Act like a prospective college athlete, who follows up with the school of interest. Do the same and follow up via email or LinkedIn to the Hiring Manager to keep your name circulating within the organization. Use LinkedIn to also find out what connections you may have with the hiring manager, and use your network to help get you noticed!

GOOD NEWS: A good friend and colleague has just started as an Independent Distributor of Life Vantage,

www.lifevantage.com/billseltzer and is looking to work with others who have interest in this product. For more information contact Bill Seltzer at (951) 326-0161.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Amy B., who recently took a position with a brand new Educational startup company in the Temecula area. Amy writes, “I would like to encourage the rest of the group to keep their personal relationships with contacts alive. This opportunity came completely out of left field and only happened because I was friends with specific people.”

BACTS FACT: “I can spot an ambitious candidate a mile away…they are the ones who have a clear view of their future.” ~J. Smith

THAT'S IT: “It’s not easy being green”…at least that’s what Kermit the Frog from the Muppet’s routinely says. It’s also not easy being unemployed in this marketplace. The game of recruitment is not for the faint of heart. For many of you, it’s been way too long and your stamina is weakening. Find a way to renew your ambition to find a job. No one is going to champion you but yourself.

“The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.” ~Shakespeare. The college bound athlete knows how to hold on to their desired dream and they push through with such persistence until they reach their goal. I hope you can persist as well.

Good luck on the job search this week,

Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

HEART

“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.” ~ Kahlil Gibran


Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Regardless if you have a significant other or not, each of you should be celebrating this day because as an unemployed individual, you are the one who has heart.


You get up each morning and face the day unlike those who head off to work. You have figured out how to live on less, yet you still try to stay positive and committed to your job search. Each day brings new opportunities to meet someone who might be the lead to your next job.


You step out of your comfort zone and attend a networking meeting with a sea of others you do not know (I applaud you for this…) Many of you will get ready today for an interview, and pull out of your gut that ounce of confidence that is still there. (again, I applaud you because I know this isn’t easy).


You are the ones who need to be celebrated on a day like today. You have heart, spirit, fortitude, bravery, and courage like no other group of individuals I have ever met.

Here’s to you, the unemployed! Go out and celebrate your situation today. Yes, celebrate it…it’s been handed to you for a reason, and hopefully soon, when you are in a new career or job, you will look back and understand why.



GOOD NEWS: Twitter is being utilized by more and more recruiters as a tool to find YOU! If you are not involved with this job site yet, please take a look at this opportunity to find more “hidden” jobs. I will be holding a Twitter for Your Job Search workshop in the very near future…stay tuned for more information, but until then, here is a good article to read and get started: 7 Categories of Who to Follow on Twitter for Your Job Search. http://tinyurl.com/4nv3ubz

CONGRATULATIONS: I have heard that many of you have interviews this week. Please let me know if you are offered a position. Good luck!

BACTS FACT: “Go in to an interview with the heart of a champion and you will surely be remembered by the recruiter.” ~ Jan Smith

THAT'S IT: “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

Start off this week with the resolve to do something positive for your job search. Just keep moving forward!


Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

ADVERTISING

Advertising

“Good advertising does not just circulate information. It penetrates the public mind with desires and belief.” ~Leo Burnett

If you watched the Super Bowl yesterday afternoon, you were not alone. It’s estimated over 106 million people joined you. I watched, but not the football (not a fan) rather, the commercials. Funny, sad, crazy, intelligent, and misunderstood advertising that cost a mere 3 million dollars for a 30 second spot!

For sure, the money was well spent, as those who watched these commercials won’t soon forget Doritos, ETrade, PepsiMax, Audi, Chevrolet, Snickers, Budweiser, Bridgestone Tires, Coke and several others. Advertisers hope their sales will increase in exchange for their advertising efforts.

You are a job seeker trying to vie for the attention of a recruiter. Consider yourself the product and accept that you need to get the product (you) to market (recruiters), which required a dedication to advertising.

It’s a proven fact.

Do everything you can to self-promote and advertise yourself via Networking, professional exposure on LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and other Social Media connections such as FaceBook, Tweet Ups and Networking groups. Extend your reach to those employed who might have connections. Call previous co-workers and supervisors and ask them who they know you can connect with to discuss job leads.

Advocate for, and champion yourself. You don’t even have to pay to do it. The tools are all available for you on your computer and telephone.

“Advertising is the ‘wonder’ in Wonder Bread.” ~ Jef Richards

GOOD NEWS: The Temecula Chamber of Commerce now has a link on their site to local job listings for and other job seeking information. Here is the link: http://www.temecula.org/jobs.html.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Carol N. who recently accepted an Account Manager’s position!

BACTS FACT: “You need to advertise your job candidacy to ensure recruiters will identify you as a potential for their job opening.” ~ Jan Smith

THAT'S IT: “Advertising is what you do when you can’t go see somebody. That’s all it is.” ~Fairfax Cone

All day today people are still talking about the Super Bowl commercials. I bet work production was slowed down a bit because of all the discussion! Good news is that the advertising campaign these companies committed to actually worked, as the commercials created a buzz about their product.

Don’t forget that you have to create a buzz around you, the job seeker. Spend some time thinking about how you can do this for yourself this week.

Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

SABOTAGING YOUR JOB SEARCH

SABOTAGE

“Self-sabotage is when we say we want something and then go about making sure it doesn’t happen.” ~ Alyce P. Co

“What is she doing pouring Sweet ‘N Low all over her cheese bread?” I asked myself as I lunched with a friend and watched her “sweeten” a slice of her cheese bread. I didn’t say a word, but all through lunch I wondered why she did it.

It wasn’t until we were finished and the server came to collect the dishes and looked at my friend and said just two words, “Weight Watchers?” Apparently the server knew what was going on.

Seeing my lack of understanding, my friend explained that she deliberately sabotaged half of the cheese bread delivered with her meal so that she wouldn’t eat it.

My friend’s act of deliberately ruining her bread made me think that sabotage can be used for both good and bad purposes. Too often though, people deliberately ruin chances for success, regardless of what it is…a job search, a new client, a marriage, a promotion…or cheese bread!

I recently came across an article on the 3 Signs You Are Sabotaging Your Job Search, by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez. She suggests you might be sabotaging your job search success by:

1. Thinking you can do it alone.
Make sure you have someone take a look at your resume and help you with interviewing skills if either is tripping you up. You can’t really proof read your own resume, or evaluate your own interview, so consider getting help.

2. Turning down offers.
If you have been out of work for any length of time, you should have a very compelling reason for turning down a job that’s offered to you. If it’s an issue of money, ask your friends who are still working if they are working ideal hours, doing more than one person’s job, making less than they’d prefer. You will find that they are…It’s better to take a job that offers 85% of what you are looking for than to hold out for a perfect job that may or may not come along.

3. Talking about your job search too little or too much.
It’s not a great idea to broadcast on your Facebook page each day that you are still out of work. If you have been out of work for a long time, this type of communication could work against you. On the other hand, many who have been out of work for a long time are embarrassed by their unemployment, and they never say a word to anyone. This lack of communication will definitely negate the possibility of receiving help from networks. Take a moment to consider whether you are appropriately asking others for help.

I’ll add to this section that you should find a balance of communication, carefully scrutinize your social networking entries, yet use social networks to definitely make the valuable contacts necessary to find hidden job opportunities.

It’s time to break the cycle of self-sabotage when it comes to your job search. Forget the “I don’t have what it takes”, “They are looking for someone younger, older, smarter, more degreed…”, “I can’t do that….”, “No one is going to want me because I’ve been out of work so long…” These are scripts that many of you say to yourself in the process of your job search.

Instead refocus your search by seeing your goal of finding the right job. Don’t be your own worst enemy when it comes to finding a new opportunity.

There is a great article on self-sabotage at this link. The 5 elements mentioned will get you thinking and get you on track this year for your job search:

http://www.greatest-inspirational-quotes.com/self-sabotage.html

GOOD NEWS: New Year = new opportunities for Job Fairs… Saturday, February 12, a Healthcare/Health Services job fair in Temecula. I haven’t been able to find out which organization this is for in our area, but it’s worth sending your resume for these jobs (see link below for job titles). By invitation only, and you must submit your resume by February 4th. (use link below). Over 15 jobs are available.
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?job_did=J8D41B68L0L4KH1XLFC

CONGRATULATIONS: To Sue D. who recently started a new position with the Bureau Veritias organization, a previous employer. Sue shared, “I do believe that staying in touch and networking with your peers is one of the best things one can do to obtain a position.”

BACTS FACT: “The most rewarding exchange in an interview is with someone who is positive and sees their unemployment as an opportunity for growth versus a prison sentence.” ~ Jan Smith

“I have never been incarcerated except for my own prison.” ~ Mary Evans

THAT'S IT: So hopefully the vision of a ruined piece of cheese bread sprinkled with Sweet ‘N Low stays with you this week. Don’t sabotage your job search, work hard to tell yourself you are worthy of any job opportunity, and most of all stay in the search this week!

Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483

www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

SPARK

SPARK

“Do you know that there's still a chance for you, cause there's a spark in you.” ~ Katy Perry

OK, so I will admit it: sometimes I listen to my teenage daughter’s radio station. Sometimes by choice, but more often not! There’s one song in particular that is getting a lot of play time. The song, Firework, by Katy Perry, has some great lyrics that can be translated to your predicament of unemployment. I have listed the lyrics below. I want you to read them over a few times and absorb them. The message is that you have a chance this year to put some spark and sizzle in your job search through your resume, interviewing, and presentation.

Firework, Katy Perry

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin, like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep, six feet under scream, but no one seems to hear a thing?Do you know that there's still a chance for you, cause there's a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine, just own the night, like the Fourth of July.

Cause baby you're a firework, come on show 'em what your worth, make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!", as you shoot across the sky.

Baby you're a firework, come on let your colors burst, make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!",You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down.

You don't have to feel like a waste of space, you're original, cannot be replaced, if you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes a rainbow.

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed, so you can open one that leads you to the perfect road, like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow, and when it's time, you'll know.”

Find that spark in you today. Ignite it and make this an amazing job search week.

GOOD NEWS: Another week of increased openings being listed with new classifications of jobs available. This again, represents another week of confidence from business owners to start opening positions. There also seems to be a trend in temp hiring which should remain strong this year. Consider starting out as a temp and transitioning into a regular position within a company.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Mike S. who recently accepted a sales position and mentioned the key factors that helped him find his position were good presentation, networking, and selling himself. Mike shared:

Presentation:
By presentation I mean the first impression given by your resume and dressing appropriately for the interview.

Networking:
I printed up business cards with some basic experience and skills along with my picture and contact information. I gave these out to everyone I knew or talked to in our industry… that was the best forty dollars I’ve spent since I was laid off. Lastly I attended trade shows to meet old business contacts and meet new people. I would give everyone about five cards and tell them they are officially on “Team Hire Mike”. They would invariably laugh and let me know that they would let me know if they heard of anything. I did get on Linked In and quickly had over 100 contacts, mostly from the industry where I have my experience.

I found out about this position from a former employee that knew I was looking for work. If it wouldn’t have been for this lead I wouldn’t have known about this unpublished opportunity.

Selling Yourself:
This one was easy for me since I am in sales but for your other people that don’t have sales careers it’s critical that they can answer the question, “Why should I hire you?” In fact in my interview the CEO put it just that way. He said, “We normally hire one of two types of people and you don’t fit either of those two types so why should I hire you?”

“When the world brings you lemons a motivated person will make lemonade, but a really smart person will find a way to make margaritas.” ~Mike S.

BACTS FACT: “What's the difference between a stepping stone and a stumbling block? Answer: It's how high you step." ~Shared by BACTS member, Howard Cunningham

THAT'S IT: “You don't have to feel like a waste of space, you're original, cannot be replaced, if you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes a rainbow.” ~ Katy Perry, Firework

No one knows what the future brings, but you CAN effect change in your situation. Do something this week towards connecting with a potential employer. Expand your network through social networking (LinkedIn, Twitter or even Facebook professional pages), take a really hard look at your resume to make sure it fits the job you are applying to (does it contain “key words” from the job posting), and make some personal calls to contacts to remind them you are still looking for work.

Good luck on the job search this week,

Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

BOOKENDS

BOOKENDS

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort & convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

It would be hard for any of you to not be aware of the tragedy in Tucson a week ago Saturday. It’s hard not to be shaken to the core when you hear about a story like this. The reality that at any time, our life as we know it, can be changed in a single moment, is sobering.

For the Green family, a single moment resulted in the loss of their young daughter, Christina. Her dad said something very impacting: “The fact she entered into the world on 9/11/01, and left in another act of nationally-covered violence, are only “bookends” to her joyful life.” The dad asked that the bookends didn’t define Christina’s life.

Most of you have already experienced a life changing single moment with the words, “You are being laid off.” So I ask you, are you allowing your unemployment to define your life or are you making use of this time off to do something towards bettering yourself, your family, or your community?

Don’t let your unemployment be the last bookend of your life. Your unemployment is temporary. You started out in your professional career at one point where you have an initial bookend. You are still defining who and what you are…you know, all the “stuff, or the guts” that goes between the bookends of your life.

Remember to believe in yourself, and see yourself still creating your future. Each of you only has one bookend so far…start filling it up this week with things you would love to include in the legacy of your life.

GOOD NEWS: More and more jobs are being listed daily that represent new classifications of jobs available. This represents a confidence from business owners to start hiring people.

CONGRATULATIONS: To those of you who reported having interviews last week and this upcoming week. Please let me know how your interviews go and if you end up with a job offer!

BACTS FACT: “When I interview a candidate who has been out of work for any length of time, I always ask, ‘What have you been doing with your time’. Make sure you have something interesting and positive to say to this type of interview question.” ~J. Smith

THAT'S IT: “There is no sense in crying over spilt milk. Why bewail what is done and cannot be recalled?" ~Sophocles

Just remember you are still in the process of creating what will one day be the filler between the bookends of your life. Go after interesting opportunities while you are off work, volunteer in your field of interest, expand your job search into positions that are out of the box from your “normal” search. Explore your career assets to see what you can offer the world!

Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

MOMENTUM

MOMENTUM
“If you're coasting, you're either losing momentum or else you're headed downhill.” ~ Joan Welsh

We’ve had some interesting weather this past month. A lot of rain and cold offered a beautiful blanket of snow in the local mountains. Most everyone loves a good snowball fight, and those pitched and missed often roll downhill to a place unknown.

Question #1: Have you ever watched a snowball roll downhill? What starts as a little ball gains momentum and with each roll gathers both size and speed. Left to roll, a snowball will keep moving unless another force stops it or slows it down.

Question #2: What’s the momentum of your job search?
• Are you just coasting?
• Is it stalled?
• Is it rolling?

It should be rolling right along as we start this New Year. Momentum for your job search can be achieved through:
• A revised resume
• A resolve to attend a few networking opportunities each week (check with Chamber of Commerce to see what is available locally)
• Signing up for, and using LinkedIn and Twitter, to make contacts and search job openings
• Target 10 companies you would like to work for and research who the department head is
• Call direct to this person, or use Social Networking, (LinkedIn/Twitter) to contact this person
• Look daily at the aggregate sites (i.e. indeed.com, simplyhired.com) for new job openings (p.s. new jobs get posted over the weekend too).
• Set Google “Alerts” with key words that will generate information to you daily via Google’s search engine (i.e. Temecula Jobs, San Diego Jobs, Engineering Jobs, Human Resource Jobs, etc.) Go into Google and search out “Alerts” and you can follow the prompts to set the “alert”
These are all elements that will help your job search gain momentum this year. There is momentum in the current economic environment. The job numbers are still improving. Momentum…things are moving forward. Are you, or are YOU the force that stops it or slows it down?

GOOD NEWS: The San Diego area has been named as one of the top 20 best places for jobs in 2011. Most job openings were in technology, followed by sales, engineering and marketing. Be encouraged!

CONGRATULATIONS: To Barbara E. who has started her own business, SweetDreamsByBarb. com. Barbara has designed and created baby items and has her first of two websites up. Congratulations to Barbara and her desire to create her own momentum for work.

BACTS FACT: “There is this odd momentum phenomenon that occurs with job seekers who are actively pursuing work, that once an offer comes in, others quickly follow.” ~J. Smith

THAT'S IT: Momentum: The tendency of a moving object to keep moving unless another force stops it or slows it down. Try and keep moving forward on the job search. Work hard this week to build some momentum.

“One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” ~ Michael Korda

Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith

START

"You do not have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great."
~Les Brown

Many of you will remember my marathon story from the BACTS workshop where I shared my story of deciding to run my first marathon before I was 30. Mind you, I wasn’t really a runner. I jogged a few miles every now and then, but 26 miles…no, that was something I had never done.

While working for the Walt Disney Company, we were required to volunteer and I picked an assignment with the Los Angeles Marathon. My job was to scream as loud as I could and encourage the runners on the 25th mile…just a mile from the finish line. As I watched the worn, battered, tired and sore runners come down the street, I noticed a resolve on their faces…They WERE going to finish the race and it didn’t matter what they had endured to get there.

One of the “runners” that day made an everlasting impression on me. The vision of his resolve to do whatever it took to reach his goal to finish the race often encourages me in times when I need it most. This “runner”, Bob Wieland, who lost both legs during the Vietnam War, crossed the finish line on his hands. It was that moment that I decided if this man can do it, certainly I can run this crazy race...and I did!

His first several times running the LA Marathon took him over 70 hours to complete. Each year he decreased his finish time. He never thought to stop running, just because it took him so long to complete…he just kept going.

Heck, even Thomas Edison didn’t stop trying to get to his goal to develop a light bulb… “I have not failed; I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

So it’s a new year, and a lot of what you did to find and secure a job didn’t work last year. The mantra for 2011 is to “keep moving forward” and “know that something great is going to happen to you this year”. Set your goal on finding a job this year and don’t stop at anything to get it.

It’s a fresh start to get this job search on track. I’m excited for all of you this year. It should be a good one!

GOOD NEWS: All news points to new job growth in 2011, and if some of the aggregate sites like http://www.simplyhired.com/ or http://www.indeed.com/, are any indication this week, then I would say things are going to be good for job seekers this year!

CONGRATULATIONS: To Tom S. who after nearly 2 years, recently accepted a position at PHS in Temecula. Tom wrote, “Tell the BACTS group to hang in there , don't give up, think positive and network.” I also want to share something that happened during Tom’s interview process. He had the chance to interview months ago. He thought the interview went well, and after meeting several people in the company, he thought he might get an offer. The communication from the company seemed to go cold after the interview, yet Tom knew this was the right job for him. Tom was persistent in talking with the department head and Human Resources. All of this networking and persistence paid off!

BACTS FACT: “One of the strongest applicants is someone who has a clear idea of what they want and how they are going to get it.” ~J. Smith

THAT'S IT: Just to be clear about 2010….I’m glad it’s over, and I welcome in 2011 with wide open arms, as each tomorrow is fresh with much opportunity. It’s a fresh new year for all of us to make our goals a reality.

“Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities.” ~ Terry Josephson

Good luck on the job search this week,
Jan

Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
http://www.inlandmgtgroup.com/
http://www.janmsmith.com/
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith