Happy 2012! Oh My, It's an Election Year too....

...and, god help us all! To be clear, I mean "all" as in Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Libertarian, as well as far left, far right, the middle, up, down, etc.

Just thought I'd acknowledge both the new year and our incredible country at work. This isn't the place to debate how, why, and especially not who, will lead us after the election. By the time you read this, maybe the New Hampshire primary will have ended and the political pundits will be in full force...let's enjoy the long bumpy ride!

Also in 2012: the Summer Olympics will come. For those of us in Chicago, let me remind you: "summer" clearly is just a rumor - allegedly it gets here in a few months. For those that miss the tons of snow as much as I do...here's just a couple of heart-warming visuals for you from last year's blizzard, Chicago's 3rd worst, all-time blizzard. Ahhh, the memories...

Blog interruption: to all of you that are employed - before you delete this or go back to work or browsing or emailing, please read the last paragraph of today's blog, thanks! Your friends, family, peers will thank you for it!

Many job seekers have begun implementing new year's resolutions. Tell us how you plan to intensify (and hopefully end) your job search. We can use a boost, your tips, your energy, and your positive enthusiasm. I'm very interested in what your resolutions are, job search-related or not, please share them with us. In fact, making these goals very public increases the odds for success.

I'm thrilled that this blog has been added to an interesting web site which is loaded with great job searching information. It's based in Utah, but one doesn't have to be a Utahn (or do you say, Ute?) to benefit from checking it out, and I hope you do: www.careerient.com. Please let us know what you think of the site. Amy L. Adler, its president and founder, is an expert resume writer and career strategist.

The excuses are over folks..."nobody hires in December", "nobody's in the office", "nobody wants to focus on work", "they all focus on Christmas parties". Am I missing any? As I suggested a year ago in this blog, check out the 1979 film, "Kramer Vs. Kramer" for one of the best, urgent and desperate December job interviewing scenes ever written. The lines that Dustin Hoffman says to the interviewer, lines that I wish we could use, at the end of his interview with an advertising agency...during their office Christmas party, no less:

"This is a one day offer. You saw my book, you know I can handle the work. You're gonna have to let me know today, not at the end of the holidays. If you want me,

make a decision right now."

It's January - time to get serious, again. Here's a good piece from The Savvy Intern, by Mark Babbitt, called "The Three 'P' Statements to Guarantee a Great Interview". How do you feel about these statements? Have any other ideas you want to share?

And, once you've gotten past those three 'P' statements in the interview, and you are learning about the company, the position, the interviewer - do you take notes? Do you have strong opinions about this? Please share your thoughts. Here's a piece I found helpful from The Ladders, "Taking Notes in the Job Interview".

Networking events - time to share with you some good networking events and organizations to consider:

Tuesday, January 10: Network After Work at Crimson Lounge This is a pretty good group. They have monthly events and have a very large turnout, as many as 400 people. It's both social and business networking, only $10 in advance and a pretty solid group of people attend. Definitely worth trying at least once.

Wednesday, January 25: Social Media Club of Chicago at Morningstar. If you have interest in learning more about social media, meeting many smart, young professionals in the social media world, then this too is a great group for you. Click HERE for some initial information, via Facebook. They always take place at very unique locations each month. Last month's was at the Chicago Tribune Museum.

Jewish Vocational Services (all are welcome) Some good presentations coming up, free, and these also are great networking opportunities:

Friday, January 20: Social Networking and Linked In

Thursday, January 26: Networking and Crafting Your Elevator Speech

Enough for now, let's get back to it. And a suggestion for many of you who are employed: you all know more than one person in the job hunt. Go out of your way, at least once this month, get in touch, offer to help. You all know someone who can help them, I'm certain. Not someone who can offer them a job, but you all do know someone who can help, who can network, who can get them one step or one person closer to landing. Don't wait, don't think about it, don't say "Larry's right"...just help them. Now, not next week. It's nuts out there!

Here's a challenge: jump into the comments section below and tell us what your specific commitment is to help your friend or relative this month. Mind you, many of them do read this blog too, but hey, no pressure!

thanks for reading!

larry

Apparently, STOP means...Stop!

It's true, working on this post began in Traffic School, late last night. I know that each and every nugget we were taught was so timely, important, and demanded my full attention. But I still remember most of what I learned as a sixteen year old (100 years ago) concerning the Rules of the Road. If I didn't start writing this, I'd have fallen into a deep sleep in class. You laugh? Ok, how many feet before an intersection in an urban area must you signal a turn? Hmm? Yes - I did remember! Do you?

"You're overqualified for this position". I'm guessing many of you may have heard this too. How do you handle that challenge? Please share it with us. I have an answer, which must be said a certain way, so as not to be misconstrued. But first, what ideas can you share with us? I've been warned that I'll be thrown this roadblock for an upcoming interview next week...and I'm ready for it. How would you dismiss this concern? For one point of view, click HERE.

And from the Ladders, read this article for another thought on how to handle this challenge.

What about your new, never before tried tactics, tools, techniques that you've begun utilizing in your job search. Tell us some of these new ideas that you never used before, perhaps not even a few months ago? I'm constantly preaching network, network, network. What else are you doing? Me: I've begun another tactic to pile on top of all the networking I've done and will continue to do. How about you? What have others used? This article HERE offers some ideas to consider.

If you've read this blog before today, you know that I'm all about networking: I preach it, trust it, believe it. And, it has and continues to bring me amazing results. But it's so important to

remember that it's not a one way street. This was forwarded to me and I think it's a great reminder of perhaps a new way of thinking for some people. Tell us what you think of this article.

Are you using social media more than in the past? Twitter, Linkedin, e-newsletters, blogs? How have you been using them? Who do you follow?

What blogs have you found that have helped you in your job search? Of course I hope this is one of them, but we are all curious what other sources have provided you with great ideas, tips and encouragement?

Events coming up to consider attending:

A retreat with two inspirational workshops this weekend, led by Dr. Nicola Amadora at Flourish Studios on Lincoln Ave. in Chicago:

Flourish in Leadership & Love

May 21, Saturday, "Leading Like a Woman"

May 22, Sunday, for men and women: "To Love & Be Loved"

For more information, please contact: Diana Fleischmann, 608-780-2244 or fleischmann.diana@gmail.com

For B2B Marketing professionals:

The Windy City Biz Bash

Business Marketing Association Chicago hosts their tenth anniversary Windy City Biz Bash on Tuesday, June 2, 5:30-8:30 pm at River East Art Center.

Click HERE to see some of the amazing silent and live auction items available.

Register by May 20 and save 20%!

And for all marketing folks, coming up next week:

On May 25, Chicago Booth Marketing Roundtable, featuring Craig Wortmann, Clinical Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chicago Booth School of Business. It's free, and as always you don't need to be a University of Chicago alum. Register HERE.

Hoping there was a nugget that you found useful in this post. And I'm looking forward to your thoughts, comments, disagreements,

thanks for reading,

larry