The MicroTrain Blog

Tip of the Week: Getting Over the Hump

It’s June and the HUMP is almost here. The HUMP is the pivotal point of the year where we’ve already covered the same amount of ground that’s still left before the new year arrives. 

So, are you ready for the HUMP?  Have you made significant progress towards your career goals?  Are you accomplishing your milestones?   If not, it’s time to get going and get over the HUMP and that requires a HUMP strategy:

Honesty

It’s time to tell yourself the truth. Start by taking an honest look at your job search plan.  Have you established realistic, appropriate and clearly defined goals and expectations? Have you invested the time needed to achieve your goals? Have you reassessed your job plan and included best practices for today’s market?  Determine what it’s really going to take to achieve your career goal(s) and see the results you desire.  Then hold yourself accountable.

Understand

To win, one must know the rules of the game. In job search, it’s a multi-faceted approach that includes networking, social networking, job boards, etc.  And there’s always room to further develop your skills and knowledge.  As the market continues to change, make sure you understand how these changes may impact your goals, milestones, expectations, etc.  and adjust them accordingly.

Maximize

Make the most of every opportunity that is presented to you. Don’t delay to reach out to companies with current or immediate hiring needs.  Don’t hesitate to establish and maintain contact with friends, family members, colleagues regarding opportunities with their companies, your target companies, to provide your expertise, etc.  Don’t wait to apply for jobs you see posted and develop network contacts within the companies.  Don’t be passive about your search—every job opening that aligns with your career goal, every network interaction may become the opening you’ve been waiting for!

Plan

Be sure your job search plan is up-to-date.  Assess it for what has gotten you phone calls, interviews, 2^nd interviews, job offers, etc.  Determine what’s working and what’s not.  Research new trends within your field, learn from experts and employ the strategies that are getting results.  Your job search plan is never static, it’s alive!  Plan and plan again.

Six months in, six more to go…now is the time to get ready. Utilize the HUMP to ensure you’re successfully Getting Over the HUMP. 

Here are a few tips to help you start Getting Over the Hump.  Happy Hunting!

• How To Create A Job Search Action Plan
• Tips for Attending a Job Fair
• A Winning Job Search Strategy
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Job  Applicant, Beware: You’re Being Googled
• Networking Tips for Shy People
• IT Contract Work FAQ
• Decoding Job Descriptions: What They Really Mean

Tip of the Week: How Your Attitude Can Help You Get Hired & Promoted

Attitude and altitude—same thing.  (Kassandra McGhee, Career Coach & Author)

Be positive. Smile. Relax. Make a good impression.  Heard it all before?  Well it’s worth repeating because your attitude is extremely important and crucial to your job search and overall career success.

A positive attitude can have a significant impact on decisions made about both hiring and promoting you.  Your attitude will tell an employer many things about your ability to successfully meet their needs.

• Are you a problem solver and solutions-focused?
• Are you optimistic: glass half-empty or half-full?
• Are you a motivator and team-player?

For an employer, a positive attitude is seen as an indicator/reflection of your work ethic, problem solving & coping skills, as well as your overall ability to get along with others and complete tasks both efficiently and effectively.  Even if your skills indicate you’re the best qualified candidate, your attitude may not.  If you aren’t presenting as pleasant and optimistic, you might just be closing the very doors you’re trying to open. 

Companies desire solution-focused, problem solvers and team-players; not individuals that will be negative and problematic, thus creating a stressful, uncomfortable work environment. 

Your attitude has a huge impact on how an employer views you.  So whether it’s during the interview process or after you’re hired, your positive attitude is an essential, foundational component in moving your career forward. 

• A Positive Attitude in the Workplace: Can Attitude Determine Your Success?
• Creating a Positive Impression During a Job Interview (video)
• A Positive Attitude in the Workplace Can Do These 10 Things
• John Maxwell: Quitting is More About Who You Are than Where You Are
• Communicate Positive Attitudes During the Job Interview
• Your Attitude and the Job Search