The national unemployment rate in the USA continues to be over 9%. Thousands of people are getting desperate in their job search and these ideas and suggestions can help!

1. Jeff’s Top 7 “Job Search” Suggestions: Utopia, TX September, 2011 (Note: Jeff had spent over 12 months on the “Job Search Tour” and was not winning many interviews or job offers, he learned and applied the following “Suggestions” and landed a job 3 weeks later.

2. Suggestion #1 NETWORK, NETWORK, and Network some more… It’s a known fact that most people land in jobs today directly because of their networking. Some career experts suggest that you spend 80% of your time networking or 32 hours in a 40 hour week, and the other 20% online researching companies and applying for jobs. Understand WHAT networking is, HOW it works, WHEN to do it, WHO to do it with, and WHERE to do it. Network resources include LinkedIn, Face book, and Twitter. Find and join a local networking group: For example, in Phoenix, AZ Networking Phoenix at www.networkingphoenix.com or Career Connectors at www.careerconnectors.org would be excellent choices. Find a Networking trainer or mentor, one Jeff uses is Dave Sherman in Phoenix, AZ Dave is known as the “networking guy” www.daveshermanspeaks.com. Find & read books like “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty” by Harvey Mackay

3. Suggestion #2 KNOW THYSELF…or know your strengths and abilities, know what you want, why you want it and be able to give someone a confident, well-rehearsed 30-60 second elevator pitch on those things. Can you tell someone what “personality” type you are? Can you give them objective or 3rd party proof about your strengths and what kind of job you fit best into? Do you have a story or example for most questions asked of you? Can you confidently tell someone what “Value” you could bring to the organization if they hired you?

4. Suggestion #3 DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REMAIN POSITIVE AND REALISTIC during your job search. For most this means getting proper sleep and exercise (regain your routines); Hang around with positive, energetic people and don’t allow yourself to get sucked into negative conversations about jobs, the economy, etc. Read books or articles that energize you; Listen to music that motivates you, reinforces your passion, etc. Remember, it’s all about Framing & Perspective;

5. Suggestion #4 LOOK AT JOB SEARCH FROM THE “EMPLOYERS OR HIRING MANAGERS” PERSPECTIVE… Most people in job search today look at their job search from THEIR perspective versus the EMPLOYERS perspective. (Human nature versus common sense); Make points and ask questions from THEIR perspective; Find out what THEY are looking for in this position and see if and how you are a good match or fit. Know what hiring managers are looking for in this hire…do the job? A good fit? Coachable or trainable? How long will it take to get up and running? Are you going to leave the job when you find a better one? Why are YOU the best choice here?

6. Suggestion #5 DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE OTHER 319 RESUMES THEY ARE LOOKING AT… Know some things that make you different and be able to tell a story about that if asked. Do things differently than most people. Understand the importance of body language in effective communication, study shows 7% words, 38% tone and how we say what we say, and 55% body language. Doing #’s 1-4 above will help differentiate you from the crowd.

7. Suggestion #6 HAVE A JOB SEARCH PLAN AND WORK YOUR PLAN !! Do your research and know what you want, why you want it and where you will fit best. Have a weekly job search plan with goals, monitor your activity and make changes as needed. (Most people DO NOT have a plan) Plan on putting in serious time and effort to be successful in job search, author Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour rule in his best seller “Outliars.” How serious are you about your search?

8. Suggestion #7 UNDERSTAND THE RULE OF 3.2 !! In his book “48 Days to the Work You Love” Dan Miller says that “the average American will be working in their job for 3.2 years and then will be looking again.” Will you be ready for your next opportunity? Manage what you can control (3%) and don’t worry about what you can’t (97%). Even after you land, always continue to network!

9. Application Question: At the end of the day, the real question is do you buy any of these strategies or suggestions and if you do, how are you going to apply them? Or, will you continue living out the classic definition of insanity…”Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It’s up to you…make it happen!

10. Author’s Contact Information: “Jeff’s 7 Job Search Suggestions” was written by Jeff D. Brown. Jeff spent over 12 months in job search and finally landed after learning and applying all of these suggestions. Jeff can be found on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdbrown2009, his email is tojeffdbrown@gmail.com or phone # is 602.909.9061. Happy landing and please share how these suggestions helped you in your job search experience!