FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn.  My fear of forging into these worlds was significant.  They represented technology.   And technology and I have never been soul mates.

But here was the problem.  My ignorance and fear were preventing me from accessing and using tools that could—and would—help me connect and reconnect with people I cared about.

It was time to change.

I remember very clearly the evening I set up my FaceBook site. I found friends!  In fact, the number of people that reached out caught me by surprise.  It felt like I had opened the door into our living room and people from every stage of my life entered at once.  Loved it. 

I eventually found my rhythm in this new world.  And once I realized I wouldn’t die from technology overload, I set-up my LinkedIn account.  And again, nothing terrible happened!

Technically saavy?  It will never describe me.  And that’s the gift in these social media tools.  For those of us who are technically challenged, we have tools available that can deepen and broaden our relationships.  And we don’t have to know computers well to use them.  We’re silly if we ignore them.

So now I’m enjoying my brief connections in the LinkedIn and FaceBook worlds.  Job connections are  made, business opportunities are presented, and relationships are nurtured.

As for Twitter, my friend Mark Holterhaus has been helping me get my head around this crazy phenomenon.  It’s going to happen.  I’m sure someone needs to know that I’m sitting in my living room or eating a bagel.  Right?

Job seekers, don’t let your fear of the unknown or technology keep you from using these tools.

Believe me.  If I can post and link, anyone can.  Just do it.

On Wednesday…some exceptional resources to get you started!

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What if…

… 2010 could be your best year ever?

… today you could change the way you look and feel about your life?

You can make it happen. 

The key?  Create a plan.  Start today. 

Here’s how:

1. Begin to create your Success Strategy for 2010

• What do you want to accomplish?
• Who do you want to become?

During these last few weeks of the year, find some blocks of time when you can evaluate what you’ve accomplished in 2009, and identify what changes you want to make in 2010.  Keep it simple right now.  Just make notes about what you want to do differently next year.  And jot down ideas for making those changes.

2. Make a list of all the good things you did this year. 

List your accomplishments.  The people you’ve helped.  The goals you’ve met.  Baby steps count!  Yes, you’ve probably disappointed yourself on a few occasions.  But you’ve learned from those disappointments.  They’ve helped you grow.

Taking the time to focus on what’s been good about 2009 will motivate and encourage you to dream big and confidently in 2010.

Wouldn’t it feel great to wake up on January 1 knowing that you have created your plan for making 2010 your best year ever?  Don’t wait until then to start thinking about it.

Elizabeth Hagen, coach, author, and speaker who helps make people’s lives easier, has a similar perspective.  I appreciate her mindset of looking at the first of every month as a new year.  December 1 is approaching!

You’ve got 45 days to set yourself up for a successful 2010.  Use your time wisely.

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This process of looking for a job can be quite all-consuming, can’t it?  You’re reading the ads, or searching the internet, or tweaking your resume, or calling about jobs, or networking over coffee, or…the list goes on and on.  In addition, you are always wondering if you’ll have enough money until that next job comes along.  The pressure builds.  The process keeps you focused on you…sometimes to the point of being unhealthy.

The holidays can be stressful enough even if you’re employed.  So may I make two suggestions for reducing some of your anxiety during the next few weeks?

1)      Breathe.  Find a quiet place and focus on just breathing.  You aren’t responsible for anything for 15 minutes, except breathing.  Feel the difference it makes in your head, your stomach, and your heart. Make it a part of your daily routine.

2)      Make somebody’s day.  Identify someone you know who could use some encouragement or help.  Set aside a block of time and reach out to that person.  Don’t make it about your job search.  Just reach out to someone else, taking your attention off yourself.

Bob Burg has posted two exceptional articles on “the willing suspension of self interest” this week.  I think you’ll enjoy them.  As the author of The Go-Giver, he is a master student and teacher in the art of giving.

Breathe.  Reach out and make somebody’s day.  You’ll feel better.

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In addition to your daily networking, here are three key activities that will keep your job search moving forward strategically during these last couple months of the year:

• Attend webinars and teleclasses
• Read and follow blog postings relevant to your job search
• Read, read, read

Here are just a few great resources to get you started.

Webinars

Job-Search Marketing for Maximum Success.  Facilitated by Mark Hovind, founder of JobBait.com.

– Wednesday, November 18, 12:00 noon CDT

I’m On LinkedIn. Now What?  Facilitated by Jason Alba, author of “I’m On LinkedIn, Now What?”

– Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 noon CST

You can probably guess what this webinar will be about.  I’ve read his book…he’s great!

Blog Postings

You don’t have to live in Minnesota to appreciate the content-rich postings of Paul DeBettignies at MNHeadhunter.com.  This is a treasure box for job seekers.

Abby M. Locke is an executive career marketing and career management strategist whose weblog focuses on executive career searches.  She’s just completed a series on “Executive Job Search Success” that is great advice for all job seekers.

In an earlier post i provided a list of bloggers I find to be extremely helpful in my professional career.  See if any of them catch your attention.

Read, Read, Read

What could be better than FREE books that support your job search?  Check out job-hunt.org for free e-books.

In an earlier post I listed a few of my favorite books that will encourage you on your job search.  I think you’ll see something there you like.

Here’s an out-of-the-box resource you will find helpful — especially if you live in Minnesota.  Our local newspaper, Minneapolis StarTribune, did an article this weekend on Peggy Byrne, her frustration with trying to find online job support information easily, and what she did about it.  What an amazing woman!

Don’t let these weeks slip by without taking action on your job search strategy.  Enter 2010 with new ideas, networking appointments, up-to-date skills, and an energized attitude!

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Today I had the great opportunity to facilitate another workshop for people who’ve lost their jobs.  These are individuals with families, dreams, and plans who have heard those words, “Your job isn’t needed any more.”  My heart goes out to you.  You can’t practice for this transition–you just move through it.

The group I met with today was full of good ideas, willing to work hard, and a lot of fun to spend time with.  They’re committed to what they need to do to find another job, and I know they will be successful.  I’m glad I had the privilege of spending time with them.

Job seekers, please remember this…

There are a lot of us who care about your job search, your disappointments, and your encouraging moments.   We want to help connect you with people who will move you closer to your goals.  We want to help eliminate some of your frustration.  We want to help.

Some of us don’t always know what to say when we want to reach out and walk with you for awhile on this transition journey.  So please invite us.  Please ask us for assistance.  Please tell us how we can help. 

Job seekers, we care about you.

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It’s tough out there, isn’t it?  Finding a job takes time, initiative, and tenacity.

If you’ve been out of work for an extended period of time, the end of the year can easily deepen your frustration and disappointment.  Holidays, the entrance of 2010, and even fewer hours of sunshine influence your outlook.

Remember this.  “Tough” does not translate to impossible.  It is possible to move forward in your job search…it is possible to find a job…even if it’s November.

Our local newspaper recently did an article on the length of time it’s taking to find a job.  Nationwide, the article said it’s taking an average of 27 weeks.  (If you’re a job seeker who suddenly felt all the blood drain from your head, take a deep breath.  You aren’t in this alone.  There are steps you can take to use your time wisely, and set you up for success.)

One statement in the article has been on my mind the last few days.  “As the months fly by, skills diminish, networks disappear and depression set in, making it harder to keep motivated in a job search.”  That didn’t sit real well with me.  Yes, it is true that it gets tough to stay motivated if you’ve been looking for awhile.  But I don’t agree that your skills need to diminish or you lose your network.

Here are my suggestions for keeping your job search fresh and focused:

Become an expert.  Worried about staying fresh with your skills?  Concerned that you aren’t up on the latest developments in your industry or field?  Do something about it.  Read.  Study.  Attend a workshop.  Take a class.  Focus on developing the skills your future employer is going to be looking for.  The library is filled with information that will help you stay current.

Make a list of the skills required to do the job you’re looking for.  Grade yourself on your level of competency for each of them.  If you can’t give yourself an “A,” put yourself in a study program that will keep you at the top of your game.

Stay connected.  Your network should never, ever disappear.  Networking is all about relationships.  Building and nurturing them.  So if you’ve made your list of 100 and connected with all of them, start over!  Reach out and ask them how they’re doing.  The conversation doesn’t always need to be about you.  Keep your name and face in front of them.  Then when they hear about an opportunity, you’re at the front of their mind and you’ll be their first call.

As I mentioned in last week’s posting, the holidays provide an excellent time to reconnect with people.  Job opportunities change daily.  Stay in touch with your network; let them know you’re still looking and you continue to be grateful for their support and assistance.

Make sure you’re talking to employed colleagues and friends in your field.  What are they working on?  What’s the buzz?  How are they responding to new regulations or technology?  Attend networking events or association meetings relevant to your work.  Stay current.

If you’re finding that “the blues” are becoming more frequent and your job search has hit a brick wall, reach out and help someone else.  Volunteer.  And ask for help.  You aren’t in this alone.

Put your 60-day plan into action.  What will you accomplish during the last couple months of 2009 that will set you up for a successful 2010? 

Plan your work, and work your plan.

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“I had to defend myself.”  “She started it.”  “I won’t let anybody talk to me like that.”  “This is who I am.”

Common reasons for arguing.  Not very smart reasons for arguing.

Conflict.  We all experience it.  Very few of us enjoy it.  Our ability to deal with it significantly influences our personal and professional success. 

Reality TV shows offer a very “unique” perspective on dealing with conflict: launch into it whenever the opportunity presents itself!  It’s just amazing to me.  Choosing a few different words in response to a comment or question could keep the conversation professional and respectful.  But perhaps the reality actors believe the fights and loud conversations will give them more air time and improve ratings.  So they choose to argue, defend, justify, curse, yell, and put each other down.  Their goal: have the last word.  And make sure it’s not a nice one.

What typically drives a conversation or disagreement to the “let’s pull in the viewers” level is the need to prove your point.  To make sure your voice is heard.  To be right.

Libraries and book stores are filled with excellent books on resolving conflict: Getting to Resolution: Turning Conflict Into Collaboration by Stewart Levine, How to Reduce Workplace Conflict and Stress: How Leaders and Employees Can Protect Their Sanity and Productivity from Tension and Turf Wars by Anna Maravelas or Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott.

But you can, of course, start working through conflict right now, before reading any books, by remembering one thing…

Listen.

Listen for the message behind the words.  If your verbal sparring partner feels you are sincerely listening and trying to understand his or her perspective, the conversation will drop in decibels and tension.

Ask:  What do you want me to know?  Understand?  What are you asking me to do or say differently?

Listening is a pretty simple and successful way of getting your tough conversations back on track.

Roxanne Emmerich’s blog this week stresses the importance of agreeing to disagree when conversations are tough.  (By the way, her blog is always filled with good information on workplace challenges.  Add her to your Favorites list.)

When someone starts putting on their boxing gloves during your conversation, take a step back, breathe deeply, and listen.  You’ll get more air time and your ratings will go up…for all the right reasons.

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Now that the Halloween candy has been distributed, thoughts go to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other December holidays.  It’s easy for job seekers to translate this into “Might as well wait until January to work on my job search – no one’s going to be hiring now anyway.”

Not the best strategic move.

Companies are still hiring.  People will find jobs in November and December—you could be one of them.

There are 60 days left in 2009.  Lots can be accomplished during this time.  In addition to applying for jobs and staying in touch with potential employers, increase your networking and professional development efforts.

Think about it.  Holiday parties.  Holiday cards.  Volunteering opportunities.  Thank you notes.  A perfect time to build and nurture relationships.

Here are six job search suggestions to focus on:

• Volunteer.  It will nourish your spirit and you’ll make a difference.  (You’ll also be networking!)
• Take classes and attend seminars.  Check out your local newspaper or online resources for community classes, computer classes, workshops or podcasts in your industry or field, etc.
• Send thank you notes.  Make a list of all the people who have helped you during your job search.  Thanksgiving is an ideal time to tell them you appreciate them.
• Reassess your marketing material.  Does your 30-second elevator speech comfortably roll off your tongue?  Does your business card look crisp and professional?  Does your resume need a second look?
• Reconnect with relatives and friends from the past.  The holidays provide a natural time to reconnect with others.  Not to ask for a job, but to build or nourish a relationship.
• Read instead of watching TV.  Take 30 minutes every evening to read a book that will get you closer to your goals.*

 * Here are links to a few of my favorite books:

• From my bookshelf—books I’ve reviewed on my website
• Books on networking
• Books on living your best life—encouragement and tools provided by people who know what they’re talking about

These next 60 days could land you your next job, and/or get you motivated and prepared for making 2010 your best year ever.  Use your time wisely.

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Here’s a short list of some of my favorite books.  Guaranteed to encourage, teach, and motivate you to be your best.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Three Feet from Gold: Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities by Sharon Lechter & Greg Reid

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara Winter

The WOW Factor by Frances Cole Jones

Tribes by Seth Godin

Transition: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges

Any books by Og Mandino

Any books by Norman Vincent Peale

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