Inspiration

The Job Seekers reading this blog have certainly experienced the ride on the emotional roller coaster that job search provides. You're up when you finally talk to someone on the phone about the applied or interested position, you set up an interview and are pumped afterward, feeling that it went real well. Then after the fist, second or up to the fifth interview, you learn that you didn't get that position. You then are at the low of lows and have to drag yourself back up, getting back with networking, researching and trying to get that next interview.

There are plenty of roller coaster ups and down in between. There are even a few cork screws and upside down moves. But, somehow, we manage to press forward. Persistence and pride! We all know that we have a good bit to offer. So, we trudge on, looking for inspiration a perhaps a friendly face along the way.

As I seek prayerful guidance in my search, I've gathered a few inspirational blurbs along the way, and have them posted at my work desk. I was asked to post them here to share, by an individual that I met through networking.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - That's why we recommend it daily." author unknown

DAILY UPS & DOWNS
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." African proverb

COURAGE TO DRIVE ON
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott

STRENGTH TO STRIVE FOR SUCCESS
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." author unknown

ADVERSITY & REJECTION
"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas A. Edison

Reading List Collection

Over the past few months, I've had quite a few recommend reads. Some are recent and some date back a few years. But, they all have something to offer. There are books that are subject specific, while others provide either directional or general information.

Most of these books are available at your local public library, and most, if not all, are available through websites like Amazon Books.

I hope you find this list useful.

~Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! by Robert H. Schuller
~Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham, Donald O. Clifton
~Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World by James D. Murphy
~What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Boles
~Resumes That Knock em Dead by Martin Yate
~Atlanta Jobs by Steve Hines
~The Atlanta Job Bank published by ADAMS
~Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
~Discipline of Market Leaders by Michael Treacy & Fred Wiersema
~E Myths Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
~48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller
~The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur by Jim Horan
~The 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris
~Words That Sell by Richard Bayan
~Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
~Who's Got Your Back? by Keith Ferrazzi
~The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production-- Toyota's Secret Weapon in the Global Car Wars That Is Now Revolutionizing World Industry by James P. Womack
~Lean Thinking by James P. Womack & Daniel T. Jones

Is Your Cup Half Empty or Is It Half Full?

Does your career search have you bogged down because the unemployment rate in the area(s) that you are searching is at or near double digits?

Snap out of it right now! Grab yourself by the scruff of the neck and get active in your search. You are a valuable asset to a company somewhere. Maybe not today, but certainly tomorrow.

YOU WILL LAND THAT NEXT JOB!

Even if the unemployment rate is as high as 12%, remember this; 88% are employed. Is your cup half empty, or is it half full? People are leaving companies, for personal reasons, health and for retirement, every day. Employers are letting select people go, in hopes of finding you, a better, more reliable employee, for the same money.

Government employees are, and will continue to retire at an astonishing rate, as our government employee sector is older than our private sector. Maybe you don't want to work for the government. That's alright, the replacement employees for our government will be coming from the private sector, so that creates an opening in the private sector where you are searching.

Companies are doing less advertising through the job boards. Research the companies that you wish to work for. Google them, then go to their company job or career site. Look them up on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. That's where you will find the jobs.

Okay, so you did all of that and came up empty. Maybe you did check yesterday, but did you check today?

This may be hard to understand, but the experienced job pool will completely dry up as early as the Spring of 2012. No, I can't wait that long either, but I just wanted to put it in proper perspective.

To coin a phrase and book title by Robert H. Schuller, "Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!"

I pray that we both find that job that we are looking for, and soon!