Dr. Woodys Tips to Jumpstart Your Job Search - FlexJobs

Dr. Woody’s Tips to Jumpstart Your Job Search - FlexJobs Dr. Woody’s Tips to Jumpstart Your Job Search - 5Last week, we held our Weekly Twitter Chat where we help job seekers with any questions or concerns they have about their job search. Dr. Michael “Woody” Woodward joined us and gave some excellent advice on jump starting your job search. Dr. Woody is a career expert and the author of The YOU Plan, a fantastic book that encourages job seekers to take a step back and look into what may be holding them back by providing a five-step career guide to help the unemployed take charge. Our Twitter Chat was lively and full of fantastic advice for job seekers. We’ve distilled this chat into something that all job seekers can refer to for tips and tricks to jump start their job search. @: Ok, lets get started! Today’s topic: Jumpstart Your Job Search. Our Guest: career coach author of The YOU Plan @DrWoody!  We’ll be asking Dr. Woody questions about jumpstarting your job search. @DrWoody: Hey everyone! Im an organizational psychologist, coach and author of The YOU Plan. Im happy to answer any questions dont be shy! @: If youve been job searching for a while without success, how do you begin to get out of your rut? @DrWoody: Step Back! A common mistake is searching without a strategy. Search w/ purpose! Start with a basic plan or revisit your plan if its not working. All too often job seekers want to put the cart before the horse. @BreezyMamaSite: And a gap in the resume? Any advice for moms who hope to get back to work? @DrWoody: Always try to reconcile gaps! Think about any volunteer activities or personal development that you may have done during that time. Dont ignore gaps because theyll ask. Address your timeline by talking about what you did during that time! When dealing with a gap be honest, but also try to demonstrate active engagement. @wardogsRI: Ive been looking on my own for awhile now by following the methods in the Richard Bolles book, What Color is Your Parachute. Any favorite tips in it?  @DrWoody: First of all I would recommend The YOU Plan . In all seriousness to go back to question #1 and consider the following four steps: 1) Determine your destination â€" Articulate what you are specifically looking for. People dont do this enough! How would you outline or describe the job you want? You need to have clear destination! Name it and own it. Also, think about how others would describe the job you are seeking. Are there other names or it other places it exists? 2) Identify Targets â€" Research where the opportunities are that align with your destination Think about the potential places that job exists â€" the variety of industries, regional areas, professions, types of companies. Always start broad! Dont be afraid of looking broadly for where your ideal job may exist. Take the blinders off! 3) Identify Relationships â€" Who do you know who can help? The job market has and always will be about Who You Know! 4) Draw your roadmap â€" Set daily, weekly, and monthly goals that include who you are going to meet, where to search, etc @: If you want to break into a new industry, how can you get started? How can you find a career you’re passionate about?  @DrWoody: My rule has always been to find the people who have the job you want and hang out with them . In other words, find ways to immerse yourself in the new industry! Two things: Research and Infiltrate! 1) Research â€" Read trade publications, get on industry chats and forums, check press articles, etc. 2) Infiltrate â€" Join professional associations, use LinkedIn to get connected w/ insiders, go to industry events. @tacytorres: Any advice for someone who may not know how their skill set applies outside existing job? Being in the same job in the same company for many years can bring this insecurity. And then to be laid off, it can be hard to figure out where you fit back into the workplace. @: Perhaps volunteering, finding internships/apprenticeships, or attending industry events/conferences in new fields. @DrWoody: You have to learn to translate! Chances are more skills apply than you realize.  Research the position and learn the language of the industry and company.Many miss opportunities because they dont take the time or effort to translate into industry jargon. For example, military veterans who were officers have great project management skills but dont call it that. They need to translate their skills from the military to their new industry. @: If youre a member, we offer skills tests to figure out which new skills youll need for a new field/job. @DrWoody: Skills tests are a great way to start! @: There is a government website, O*NET Online, which helps match your current skills with other careers that use those skills: onetonline.org/skills/. @DrWoody: You may have to think about a new career or options different that what you did before. Our BIG thanks to Dr. Woody for joining our Twitter Chat. Be sure to check out’ Weekly Twitter Chats, every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET. Even if you’re not on Twitter it’s a great way to try it out and help your job search at the same time!