10 Commandments of Job Search

The employment market in the second decade of the 21^st Century is literally topsy turvy.  All of the rules that we have all come to love and respect over the years no longer apply.  It is a new day, a new world and all bets are off.  Unless you have a job, don’t assume you garner the respect of employers, headhunters and hiring managers.  The only sure fire way of landing is to be networked, known, accomplished and have a track record that is virtually visible to all.  If you can’t be found, you do not exist. 

Under this duress it is helpful to have faith, patience, fortitude and a solid saving account that will allow you to endure a lengthy hunt.  Getting back to the faith part, there are also rock hard principles or commandments you need to commit to memory and live daily. 

I.      Thou shalt not sit idle and whine 

II.     Thou shalt not go after job opportunities without passion and enthusiasm 

III.    Thou shalt not have a resume that ignores your accomplishments 

IV.    Thou shalt not overlook the importance of a network 

V.     Thou shalt not only use job boards and classified ads 

VI.    Thou shalt not stay cloistered to your computer and couch, get out and mingle 

VII.   Honor thy network and give, not just receive 

VIII.  Thou shalt not lie on a job application 

IX.    Thou shalt not settle for just any job 

X.     Remember to take a break from the search, perhaps on Sunday

 

By the same token, if you find yourself at the end of your rope and the search is not fruitful, consider the following ten commandments of unconventional search. 

I.       If you can’t find a job, make a job and do it daily

II.      If you see a job that fits, volunteer to work for free for a trial period 

III.     If you are passionate about your career and work, blog about it, make it
          frequent and keep it going  

IV.     Employ social platforms to convey your passions, experience, accomplishments and knowledge 

V.      Get out from behind your desk and join your professional or trade association, volunteer for duty and shine a light on yourself 

VI.     Form a weekly brainstorm network group focused on your profession and meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner to compare notes and exchange ideas 

VII.   Volunteer with non-profits that are related to your field, industry and/or sphere of influence 

VIII.  Read daily, including technology trends, business news, blogs about your field, web sites that cater to entrepreneurs and global events that may impact your life 

IX.    Find a mentor, someone who can advise, counsel and critique 

X.     Start a business.  Consider your abilities, passions and strengths as building blocks and see if there is a business plan hiding within.