How to Mount an Olympic-size Campaign for Your Job Search

Like much of America, I was getting pumped for our Olympians last night. The USA beat Canada in hockey, capping off a thrilling weekend that also included medals for Bode Miller, Shani Davis, Apolo Anton Ohno and Lindsey Vonn.

What do all these athletes have in common? Determination, drive and, of course, a dream. In fact, they sound a lot like job hunters. 

Here are 10 things I’ve noticed among our Olympians as they mount their quests for success. I’m thinking these elements can surely take a job search from so-so to gold medal-winning!

1. Laser-like focus
2. Clear strategy
3. Supportive group of family and friends
4. Well-planned training regiment
5. Conditioned bodies and minds
6. Sense of individuality
7. Perspective
8. Fun, fearless spirit
9. Strong belief in miracles
10. Killer iPod playlist (Kelly Clark Karaoke, anyone?)

What have YOU taken away from our Olympic idols?

Three Things the Unemployed Can Learn from the New Orleans Saints

Who ‘dat! Who ‘dat! Who ‘dat thought the Saints would ever make it to a Super Bowl!

It’s the miracle of all miracles – once the worst of the worst in the NFL, the New Orleans Saints have made it to the main stage of professional football…the Super Bowl.

I’m not going to go into all the sentiment, because likely you’ve seen it on television or read it in the newspaper. They’re calling the Saints “America’s Team”, and no franchise in NFL history has deserved it more.

If you’re unemployed and have struggled for months (maybe even a year) to land that full-time gig, you probably know how the Saints felt until this year. Since 1967, they have been the punching bag of the NFL. In fact, it took until 1987 for them to have a successful season. But after forty years of terrible records and a catastrophic hurricane, the Saints finally came out on the other side. How did they do it? And how does that apply to you and your job search? Three things:

1) Ignore the naysayers. Saints fans are loyal, to say the least. But through hard times, even those folks have turned on their beloved team.  In 1980, the Saints lost a slew games, and a local sportscaster said Saints fans should wear paper bags over their heads at games. The phrase the “Aints” became part of the local lexicon.  This team, which could have given up and eventually collapsed under negative feedback and support, pressed on and now they’re showing the naysayers what they’re made of.

If you’ve got negativity surrounding you in your job search, get rid of it. Ignore it. It won’t help anything. And believe me, if you keep going, you’ll eventually show your detractors who’s boss.

2) Ride out the storm. Loyal fans stayed with the Saints through thick and thin. And even with the Superdome lying in tatters after Katrina, the franchise got to stay in New Orleans, and the city rallied around “their” team like no other point in Saints history. 

Times may be bad, and the market may be grim, but eventually, your time will come. Try to be patient, stay positive and keep doing your best.

3) Employ some top guns. Both the team and the city used this strategy to their advantage. The Saints hired Coach Sean Payton and Drew Brees in 2006, and the rest has been history. The leadership those two have imparted on the team and its hometown have been monumental and helped highlight the talents of many other Saints players who were, frankly, under the radar.  

Sometimes you’ve got to use the right people to make you look good and help elevate you to the place you deserve to be. Don’t be afraid to find them, use them and reward them.

Finally, GEAUX SAINTS!

Should You Go Gaga in Your Job Search?

Last night’s Grammy Awards got me thinking: How far would you go to stand out in the job market?

When I saw red carpet photos of trendette de jour Lady Gaga in her crazy-ass Armani get up, it hit me. Glam Rock Girlfriend turns heads, gets oodles of press and is photographed everywhere she goes because she’s fearless. She’s assured ink when she appears out in public dressed in some freaky futuristic frock. We all know her name because she’s fun, outrageous and takes a flying leap out of the box. She keeps everyone guessing what it is she’ll do next.

We certainly don’t want to take interview dress tips from Lady Gaga, but she can teach us a lot about pluck, creativity, guts and how to keep just the right amount of mystery surrounding you. Those elements are golden keys to success.

What helpful tips would you take away from Gaga? Anyone else at the Grammys catch your attention?

Photo: Sindh Today

Attn. Atlanta Unemployed: Networking Happy Hour This Thursday

Super-networker Jenny Jeansonne is hosting a Networking Happy Hour this Thursday, October 22 at Lenox Square Grill (was The Clubhouse).

She’s already invited over 100 recruiters. It’s Free Parking. Free to Attend. Free Appetizers too!

 

Details are at http://tinyurl.com/atljobs

 

Atlanta still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Jenny is trying to help as many unemployed people as possible so they may have jobs by the holidays and really have something to celebrate.

 

Jenny posts jobs daily at http://atlantajobleads.wordpress.com – all industries, all careers levels.

 

If your company is hiring (or if you know of a company hiring),  please let her know and she’ll post it for free.

 

 

I Vanna Be Ivanka

Well, not really, but I think she’s rather interesting.

It would be easy to hate Ivanka Trump. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, has a degree from Wharton and one of the richest (yet most annoying) fathers in America. She could easily be yet another Paris Hilton or Casey Johnson, leaping from banquette to bedroom and adopting random toy pets, but she has escaped that route and is actually contributing something positive to society as a vice president of the Trump Organization.

Ivanka released a book today titled, aptly, “The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life”, and according to the publisher, it “shares the life lessons and hard-won insights that have made her a rising star in the business world.”

Now, many of you are probably saying to yourself : “Duh, she’s a Trump. What does she know about hard work?”

I have not read the book, but Ivanka seems to have a strong head on her shoulders. You’ve never seen her plastered all over Page Six, she works hard for her money (apologies to Donna Summer) and based on her “Good Morning America” interview this morning, she is classy and articulate. And no matter how God-awful I find her dad, he has always ensured his kids are well-mannered, engaged in the world and know the value of a hard day’s work.

This title is geared specifically to young women, and if you’re in that entry-to-mid level career category or are searching for your first job, I’ll bet she has some good things to say to you. Check out “The Trump Card” at your local library.

Ivanka’s scheduled to be on ABC’s “Nightline” tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET.

Click below for more information and an excerpt:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/trump-card-ivanka-trump/story?id=8783466

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Trump-Card/Ivanka-Trump/9781439140017

Sending Job Search Karma to You Guys at Brides’, Too!

Goodness gracious! On the heels of Monday’s announcement that Conde Nast is closing four magazines, is the news that Brides is laying off twelve staffers. Who’s next? It’s like a death watch over there.

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/layoffs-brides

Ex-Conde Nast Employees: MPS Is Sending You Good Job Search Karma!

It’s no secret I’m a magazine whore. I adore the tactile experience of pulling it out of the mailbox, scanning the cover (sometimes gagging at the cover model) and crawling under my duvet to devour its contents. I love the artwork, which I don’t think can be justly reproduced online. I don’t think you can duplicate the reading experience online, either. Helloooo…I spend enough time at the computer.

So when the news came out Monday that Conde Nast was closing Gourmet, Cookie, Elegant Bride and Modern Bride, dedicated readers hit the Web to express their shock, sadness and displeasure. I mean, Gourmet has been the best friend of gastronomists for 70 years!

I’m still smarting after the closure of Domino, so after thinking to myself “the bloodbath continues”, I thought of all the employees who are losing their jobs. The job market in NYC is tough enough. Hell, the market all over is still tough, especially in creative fields. So I want to send all the good karma and wishes I can your way, ex-Conde Nasters. Here’s hoping you find even better success down the road with fabulous new work! 

Mwahh!

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/05/news/companies/gourmet_magazine/index.htm?postversion=2009100517

Mindless Movie Monday: Top Gun

It’s a cloudy, rainy day in Atlanta, so I’d love to be on the sofa curled up with my favorite furry pal watching “Top Gun”.

This was Tom Cruise’s coming out party (no pun intended), and I don’t think he’s ever looked better than he did in his leather jacket, jeans, Ray-Ban Aviators and…that sculpted body. Whoo!

So tune into AMC today at 12:30 p.m. ET and join Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Jester and Viper for a little volleyball action. I want to give a special shout-out to Slider–his stance on the volleyball field was smokin’. 

And if you need a little something to punch up your job search juices today, go ahead and shout out “I feel the need…the need for speed!” Yes, it’s cliche and overdone, but it might make you feel like a badass mo’ fo’ for at least two seconds.

MPS Repeat: Look to the Stars if You’re in Need of Reinvention

The 61st Emmy Awards (congrats “Mad Men” and Neil Patrick Harris!) got me reflecting on a past post about reinvention. Many successful reinventions were present on the red carpet last night: Glenn Close, Alyson Hannigan, Anna Paquin, Chloe Sevigny…and even Neil Patrick Harris. All have created second acts for themselves on the small screen. So why can’t we create our own second acts?

I thought I’d repost that old entry. Hopefully, the three tips I’ve gleaned from celebrity reinvention will help jump-start your job search this week!

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I’m going to comment on my own post from yesterday about television upfronts, cancellations and actors getting the pink slip.

Just want to say that although we may experience twinges of Schadenfreude when it comes to the “out of work actor”, these folks in entertainment are genius at reinvention and will always come up with solutions for survival.  We should look to them for inspiration.

TV pilot doesn’t get picked up? Movie roles not coming in? Well, write a book! Make an exercise video! Host a reality show! Create a handbag/jewelry/clothing/lingerie line. It all brings in the $$$. Granted, these are celebrity solutions, but your own “exercise video” is out there.

So, if you’re looking for a little reinvention, embrace these three tips I’ve learned from the stars. They could be very helpful to you in times of recession and unemployment:

1. Act the part. No matter how bad the situation is, keep your chin up, smile and act confident. Nothing’s going to lick you! And as Scarlett O’Hara famously said, “Tomorrow is another day”
2. Create a dream team. Just like celebs have publicists, agents, managers, stylists, life coaches, etc., you should take their lead and put together your own support team. Call on friends who are great at networking, self-promotion, organization, brainstorming and image. Most importantly, enlist spiritual friends and others you can lean on psychologically and emotionally
3. Get creative. Leverage your other talents and interests. Believe me, you have them, and God gave them to you to use! Maybe this is the time to uncover your photography interests, your desire to give back through non-profits, your dormant creative writing ability, whatever. Try something new! You might find you’re good at it; and, it could help bring in the dough

RIP Johnny Castle (aka Patrick Swayze)

Rest in peace, Patrick (1952-2009).

Yet another reminder that life is fleeting and you must absorb every minute!

You may be down with job woes and economic pressures, and those are indeed troubling issues to deal with. But you have to remember that things will get better and that there are those out there literally fighting for their lives with illness. Every time I start to feel sorry for myself about something, I think about others who may be dying of cancer or watching their child suffer from a debilitating disease. I remind myself that I have my health, family and friends and no matter what happens, that’s all that truly matters.

PS–If you need a job search break today, I’m sure Oxygen or WE is slotting in a showing of “Dirty Dancing” or “Ghost”. Watch and enjoy!