The job search game isn’t an easy one. This is hard, arduous work. There are so many areas that need your attention! Keeping your skill set current and your resume filled with the appropriate keywords, staying up to date with the job search technology, filling out extensive online applications that take hours and often get no response, attending networking events and making efforts to contact people who can help you… these activities are vital, yet they all can sap your energy and take any enjoyment out of the hunt.

Any venture that you find tiring, dull, or overwhelming is doomed. It’s important to make your job search fun, especially the aspects you can control. Creating a strategy that you find fulfilling, interesting, and enjoyable will help make sure you don’t give up and you will inevitably find greater success.

What about these ideas for spicing up your game and finding some fun in it again?

1. Explore wildest dream jobs. The more wild and exciting, the better. Solstice Manager at Stonehenge? Scientific explorer in Antarctica? Marketing Manager for the Atlanta Braves? Here’s a tip on how to find your own dream job. On LinkedIn, perform an Advanced Search with unusual words in the job title. Just now, I looked for “fun” and found 60 jobs, 34 jobs for “guru,” and 14 jobs for a “ninja”. Look at what aspects of these jobs make them exciting and appealing to you. Identify the characteristics of that job that set them apart, that stir something in you. List these things. Then find ways to pursue those pieces in the real world of your area of expertise.

2. Create a visual aide to chart your progress, successes, and disappointments. Use a big whiteboard and lots of color. Incorporate visual aides to chart your work. Show yourself how many people you’ve contacted, and what the result was. As you create a bigger and bigger picture of your strategy, you will be able to see what you’ve done, and what it’s netted you. Click here to download a colorful Job Search to-do list.

3. Take some time for yourself to do something enjoyable. Better yet, reward yourself for an accomplishment with something enjoyable. Attend a networking event? When it’s over, grab a latte and your Kindle and spend an hour in the park. When you land an interview with a promising company–treat yourself to a dinner out or a massage. Give yourself incentives. You deserve the reward!

How do you put the fun back in your game?

Except…

Time spent doing activities that aren’t going to yield results can begin to drain your energy and enthusiasm. For that reason, consider carefully how you spend your time in a job search.

Online Employment Applications

The internet is a vast, necessary resource in searching for a new job or planning a career change. However, the quagmire of the online employment application is an easy way to become lost… fast. It is tempting to spend an entire day filling out online applications and think you have accomplished something significant. But think again.

Online applications help employers reach a larger pool of candidates, which leads to a remarkably high number of applicants. The number of candidates can be so overwhelming, your application must stand out to even make it through an initial scan for desired keywords.

While the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor, there are some instances when the lengthy time investment of an online application is worth it. If the position you are applying for is at your dream company, and you are well qualified for the position advertised, it’s smart to go ahead and take the time to carefully and thoroughly complete the application. Don’t stop with the online application. Create a targeted cover letter and send it to the recruiter or hiring manager who posted the ad. Make sure to mention that you have already completed the online application – otherwise you may just get a standard brush-off response.

However, if the job isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse or the company is less than supremely desirable, take that valuable time (it can take well over an hour to fill out one online application) and do some networking instead.

Connect with Others

And by networking, I don’t mean just hanging out with other unemployed folks. Many job seekers find themselves comparing notes or commiserating with other job seekers, which is a natural response to your situation. But, it isn’t terribly fruitful. Networking needs to be primarily with employed folks, preferably in your field of expertise. Don’t fall into the habit of spending too much job search time with people who can’t help you achieve your career goals since they are busy working toward their own.

Abandoning Your System

Your job searching system is unique. It’s personally crafted to take advantage of your strengths and abilities, so you are far more likely to achieve success with it. It might not feel successful every day, but an expansive, well thought out strategy is one you will always come back to and are more likely to succeed with.

As with any plan, it can be easy to stray from your system and get sloppy. You might find it tempting to slip from networking, attending business functions in your field, and researching your ideal companies to scatter shot resume emailing, casual want ad perusing, and, essentially, phoning it in. It’s important to remember your goals and work the system designed to achieve those goals. Remain committed to your plan for success!

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Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

“You can change the culture of your relationship with everyone you work with.”

This great quote came from the guys on The Boss Show in their Management vs. Leadership 5 podcast. What a wonderful reminder not to wait for the C-Suite or HR to start making the changes you want to see at work.

This hit home for me a few days later (I’m a little slow sometimes). After living in the Pacific NW for 20 years and bemoaning the fact that no one welcomes me when I move into a new neighborhood, I finally wised up and realized that I wasn’t welcoming new neighbors, either. So I got my act together and baked a pie for a new family. I felt a bit odd leaving it on their porch, kind of like a stalker. But if you’re going to have a stalker, a pie stalker is a good kind to have, I would think.

They called me right away and were supremely kind. And shocked. As the mom said “I feel like I’ve moved into the Twilight Zone.” Bonus points for me – I enjoyed doing it, met her delightful daughter, and scored a new babysitter out of the whole deal.

Fast forward a few weeks. On May 1st I told my daughter “When I was a little girl people would leave flowers for you on May Day” and she asked why people don’t do that anymore, and I said it had just gone out of style. Then we came home from school and lo and behold, there was an awesome little flowerpot on our front porch with a daisy. From, you guessed it, our new neighbors. And it just absolutely made my daughter’s day. “Mom, it’s happening again. May Day is coming back!” she said. And I laughed.

So don’t wait. Whatever you’re complaining about, whatever you miss, whatever you bemoan has fallen out of fashion or doesn’t happen anymore at your office (or your home, or your neighborhood) …bring it back. Don’t wait for someone else, don’t wait for another day. Just do it now. It will feel great!

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Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

80% of jobs are never advertised.

These days recruiters hunt you, not the other way around.

If you don’t have an online presence you can forget getting noticed in this job market.

Statements like this cause panic in many of my job search clients. Building an online presence is not an overnight task. And yet, much of the job search advice out there is telling you that you must have an online brand to even consider getting hired these days. What’s a job seeker to do?

First, don’t panic about your Online Presence. It’s not the only way to get hired.

How do I know?

1. I do a fairly significant amount of interviewing people for jobs they found posted on Craigslist, LinkedIn, and CareerBuilder. Yes, we get a ton of applicants. Yes, you are competing against a lot of other people. But a well-crafted resume combined with a customized message or cover letter indicating knowledge of the company and interest in the position can still get you noticed.

Often when employers don’t get good traction from a posted advertisement, that’s when they start mining the Internet, and your online presence can be an advantage there. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and includes the keywords you need to get found.

2. Many of the candidate search tools that evaluate your ‘online presence’ are still in their infancy. For example, the other day I did a trial run of Remarkablehire.com, which claims to source talent from where people hang out online and score them based on their knowledge. I searched for the keywords “human resources” within 100 miles of Seattle and I turned up…5 potential candidates. Now, maybe it’s because I was using the trial version. And maybe it’s because HR folks aren’t setting any records for their online presence! But mainly what turned up was IT folks and programmers. So whatever the algorithm is being used to search for people by that particular software seems to be less effective than a plain old Boolean search.

3. You don’t have to be all over the Internet to have an online presence. I was reminded of this recently when I noticed a dear friend on LinkedIn and realized we weren’t connected. I sent her a connection request with a note saying I was surprised that we weren’t already linked. She told that she had just joined LinkedIn and was “waiting it out” to see if the other tools like Facebook and Twitter lasted!

I tell my clients “Better to be consistent and active using one social media tool, than unresponsive and inconsistent with four.” Pick a platform (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or a blog) and spend a little time every week – even as little as 15 minutes – connecting with people, sharing relevant information, updating your status, and responding to people who take the time to comment. Before you know it you’ll have some history and an online presence to be proud of!

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Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

• There is no task to small to do in advance. The author taught me this when she fills a pot of water and places it on the stove long before it is time to start cooking the pasta. You can apply it to your job search. Print your resume or directions to that job interview when you receive them, instead of waiting until two minutes before you need to leave the house (which is when I usually discover my printer isn’t working).

• Identify three realistic tasks to complete every day. If you can write them down, and check them off when they’re done, all the better. I do this first thing every morning, and am lucky enough to have a Facebook group where I can post them – even more accountability. The key here is ‘realistic.’ If you’re searching for a new job, especially if you’re doing it while you’re still employed, you need to bite off small chunks. Send a LinkedIn connection request. Register to attend a professional event. Find one person working at a company that interests you. You get the idea.The author mocks herself for being “one of those sad, deluded people who still believes that the mere act of writing something down will give her some sense of control over it” but I find this to be completely true. My clients who talk about finding a new job are doing just that – still talking. The ones who write down tangible action items and start executing their plan are the ones who are getting interviews and making progress in their search.

• Pay attention to what you really want. The author had a dream job as an editor of a great magazine. She loved her work, her colleagues, and her office. But at least once a month she’d receive an email from her kid’s class mom with the subject line “Help!” requesting juice, or paper cups, or some other type of party supply. Because she was working, she could never be the hero and rush in to help, and that bothered her. A lot, as it turns out. She wanted to be home, five minutes from the school, and able to rush in and save the day. As her girls got older, she ultimately decided she just needed to be around home more, so she could spend more time with her kids and listen to them. And when her magazine folded, it was a perfect time to strike out on her own – from home. Rosenstrach discovered – for the first time in her working life – what it felt like to be in control of her own schedule and life. And she learned when she could control something that was exclusively hers, she found work every bit as fun and exciting as vacation.

Want more? You’ll also find advice on how a two parent working household can fairly share domestic duties, and how to leave your office every day at a regular time without a massive amount of guilt. If you’re shocked and disappointed in yourself for feeling differently about your job or your career after becoming a parent, you’ll find a soul mate in this author. So pick up this cookbook. I promise you’ll find it every bit as readable as any other career book you’ve grabbed lately! Consider the amazing recipes a bonus. You can also follow Rosenstrach on her blog, Dinner: A Love Story.

LinkedIn has made this easier than ever with their newly redesigned Alumni Tool. You’ve always been able to use a LinkedIn search to find fellow alumni, but now you can narrow it down to people from your graduation year, in your field of work, in your geographic area, or at a particular company.

As someone who graduated from a large university (LSU) that doesn’t have many graduates in the Seattle area, I found it particularly fun to find seven people in the Seattle area doing HR work that graduated the same time as me! Now I’m off to connect with them.

Find your own Alumni connections using the Alumni Tool: www.linkedin.com/alumni

Once on the alumni page (which will automatically populate with the university listed in your profile) you can search by “Where they live,” “Where they work,” and “What they do.”

Have fun searching!!

Some of my recruiting clients give me specific questions to ask candidates. Sometimes the questions are odd. Sometimes they are silly. Sometimes they are standard interview questions that show up on every interview preparation book/blog post/tip sheet around.

What You Say or Do in an Interview

Interviewer asks you a question. You are caught off guard, and respond one of two ways:

• Laughter (usually in response to a question you think is silly)

• Amazement (“Wow, I’ve never been asked that question before.”)

What the Person Interviewing You Hears

• When someone laughs at an interview question before they respond, it is telling. Usually they try to stifle the laugh quickly. If the person interviewing you designed the question, they may feel embarrassed and immediately go on the defensive.

• If the amazed response follows a standard interview question, the interviewer may assume you are unprepared, naive, or inexperienced.

Say This, Not That

Oddball interview question: “How many ridges are around the edge of a quarter?”

Instead of laughter, try saying “Oh, that’s interesting,” to give yourself some time. Then focus on explaining your thought process. Don’t worry so much about coming up with the ‘right’ answer. Instead, tell the interviewer how you would go about finding the answer.

Use the same technique with an interview question you’ve never heard before. There’s no need to say you’ve never been asked that before. Simply respond by remarking that it is an interesting question. You can also ask for a minute to think and come back to it later.

If it’s a standard interview question (like what is your strength/weakness,; list three words to describe yourself; or Why are you interested in working for our company,) be prepared to respond right away. This is where interview practice and prep comes in handy!

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Please visit my Expecting Change Facebook page for ongoing discussions about careers.

Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

You buy car insurance in case an accident happens, and life insurance to protect you and your family if something went horribly wrong. I’d like you to start thinking today about insuring your career from the ups and downs of your employer. That’s right, I want you to look out for yourself.

What’s the best way to do this? Networking.

(I’m ignoring any groans I hear).

I promise, I’ll make it easy for you. And, since it’s the start of the New Year, you can even turn it into a New Year’s Resolution – one you’ll actually keep.

First, make a list of the eight people you would call if you lost your job today. Why eight and not ten? I know you’ll make immediately think of two people first -  maybe your best friend and your Mom, or perhaps a spouse and your sister. People you can cry to, people who tell you how horrible your employer is, people who agree with you that this whole thing sucks. It’s OK to make those calls right away, in fact, I encourage you to make them first – get all of that emotion out so when you make the list of eight, you’re focused on people who can help you professionally.

Struggling to come up with even eight people? Here’s some ideas – former co-workers, people you would use as a reference from prior jobs, classmates, bosses, teachers, colleagues doing your job in a different company, people in clubs with you.

Next, figure out how long it’s been since you’ve reached out to the eight people. Rank the list by placing the people on top who you haven’t spoken to in a while. They’re your first priority.

Now, start reaching out to people, starting out at the top of your list. Feeling tongue-tied? Here’s how to do it.

“Hi John, it feels like it’s been ages since we connected, and I’d love to see you and catch up and find out what you’re up to. Are you free for coffee/lunch/a walk next week on Tuesday or Thursday?”

Here’s another tip for you. I learned this from Arden Clise, a business etiquette consultant. When you invite someone to meet for coffee or a meal, it is your responsibility to suggest a place to meet, and confirm the meeting the day before or day of.

By the end of January, you should have contacted all eight of the people on your list. You may not have met with them yet, but there should be a conversation taking place and meetings scheduled on the calendar.

Why do I want you to do this now? And what is so easy about this?

I’ll tell you.

It is much simpler for you to contact people when you are securely employed and not asking them for anything in particular. It’s non-threatening, casual, and (I’ll say it again) easy. If they can’t meet with you, it won’t throw you into a tailspin of worry – you’ll just figure they’re busy and reach out to them again later. Best of all, you can ask them if they need help with anything. And if you are able to help them out, that’s a goodwill chip you may need to cash in one day.

So there you have it – a way to start the New Year off on the right foot by building and strengthening your professional network. Do this exercise now so you can insure your long-term career success and navigate your own worst-case scenario with more confidence.

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Please visit my Expecting Change Facebook page for ongoing discussions about careers.

Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

The first step to managing your endorsements is requesting the new LinkedIn profile. If you haven’t done that yet, you can click here to make the request. I made my request late October and was finally switched to the new profile on December 11.

Manage endorsements: You can manage your endorsements by editing your profile, and then clicking the Edit icon (pencil) next to Skills and Expertise. Once in here. you have full control over what endorsers, and endorsements, show up in your profile. Click Manage Endorsements to select which endorsers, and which endorsements, show up in your profile.

Add or Remove Skills: Perhaps you’ve been endorsed for a skill that you no longer want to promote as part of your personal brand. Many of my clients run into this dilemma when they are switching to a new career in a different industry. Once again, go into Edit Mode on your profile, and then click the pencil icon next to Skills and Expertise. Select Add & Remove and you can make changes so that the skills that display best represent your brand.

My fear that Endorsements would replace Recommendations doesn’t appear to be coming true. In fact, in the new LinkedIn profile, recommendations are more prominent than ever, appearing directly under each position you’ve held. While endorsements are much easier for people to provide, I’d recommend you spend your time asking for recommendations rather than trying to get endorsements. They provide much richer context for people and give an opportunity for a better understanding about the type of leader or employee you will be.

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Please visit my Expecting Change Facebook page for ongoing discussions about careers.

Andrea Ballard, Career Coach

Common wisdom says True. First impressions can leave lasting impressions in people’s minds and this is often intensified in job interviews. There is no shortage on career advice on making a good first impression:

• Be on time. No, be early.
• Dress appropriately, better to be overdressed than under-dressed.
• Have a firm handshake.
• Make eye contact.
• and on and on…

The lists of “dos and don’ts” in interviews can grow long and arduous, until you are so worried about gracefully performing your handshake/smile/eye contact combo that you end up tripping on your own feet as you rise from your chair. (OK, maybe you don’t. I, on the other hand, have done that.)

It is easier for me to learn the “Why” behind something instead of remembering a bunch of rules.

Ann Demaris and Valerie White give a great explanation of why first impressions are so important in First Impressions: What You Don’t Know About How Others See You.

Psychologists have shown that people weigh initial information much more heavily than later information when they evaluate people. It’s a simple fact: The first information people get about anything – a person, a place, an idea – influences the way they process later information. In other words, people are more likely to believe that the first things they learn are the truth.

How does this translate to the job interview? Perhaps you got lost on your way to the meeting. Maybe traffic was horrendous. Or a raincloud dumped on you right before you entered the building. No matter what, be positive. Don’t let a negative comment lead to a negative first impression.

Interviewer: “Did you have any trouble finding us?” You: “No problem at all.”

Interviewer: “I hope you didn’t get stuck in rush hour traffic.” You: “I got here with no trouble, thanks for asking.”

Interviewer: “Wow, it sure is pouring outside!” You: “Finally, we’ve really been needing the rain!”

You get the idea.

Remembering why first impressions are so important makes it easier to think about how to act. If your first impression comes across engaging and warm, it may not matter that later in the interview you say something a bit off-putting. Conversely, if your first impression is distracted and self-absorbed, this information is weighted more heavily and will require many positive behaviors in the interview to overcome the initial negative impression.

Once people have formed a first impression of you – and it’s good – they look for information to reinforce their belief. Everyone wants to think they are a good judge of character, so they’ll be looking for things you say to reinforce their initial impression. This puts you in an excellent position in the interview – the person talking to you believes you are a good person and is looking for evidence of that belief. Give them some proof!

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Andrea Ballard, Career Coach