5 Keys to Finding a Job

I have talked to several people over the past few months that are in the unfortunate position of job searching. I am fortunate enough to be an entrepreneur and own my own business, so I don't have to worry about layoffs, cutbacks, or "fat trimming". I do know that if I was looking for work, I would apply to 5 Keys below. One thing I have noticed is that there are tons of jobs out there, but people just aren't looking hard enough and aren't looking in the right places. My degree (or piece of paper) says that I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration from the University of Alabama. More specifically, small company management. However, like I stated above, it's just a piece of paper. Going back to school for higher education is great and grand, but if you think that it's going to magically get you a high paying job, you are wrong. Job searching to me is about getting connected. Instead of thumbing the Classified ads or searching the internet for companies who are hiring, get out and meet people. Let the people in your networking contact sphere know you are looking. A personal introduction to someone is a lot better than calling and asking if you can drop a resume off and then hoping for an interview. I know people who have gotten jobs at companies that aren't even hiring, but the company was so impressed with the person and had a personal recommendation from a friend, that they gave them a chance. Once you're in the door, blow them away. Be self educated. Teach yourself new skills.

5 Keys to Finding a Job

1. Don't do the basic bulleted resume. That's boring and gets lost in the pile of others. A good friend of mine owns a company that does Video Resume's. His clients really stand out when they send a video resume before the interview instead of the basic Word document or fax cover sheet. Check him out: My OVR

2. Go to every networking event in your area. Attend local BNI meetings. Get connected with people and let them know you are looking. Don't be afraid to ask people to help you. If you have 20 people who trust you and are willing to drop your name, you'll be much more likely to land something big.

3. Get some part-time work. As much as it sucks, if you are in between jobs, go get a part-time job at Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc. The company you are interviewing with will respect the fact that you are proactive and continuing to work while looking for more "permanent" work. Plus it helps pay the bills while you are in transition.

4. Self Educate. Read books, lots of them. I love anything on entrepreneurship, marketing, and networking. Whatever your interests are of the field you are trying to get into, learn more about it. Read trade magazines and journals about that industry so you are up to date with trends and news.

5. Don't participate in the negativity or the recession. Just because the news and everyone around you says the economy sucks and the world is coming to an end doesn't mean it's true. Always have a positive attitude and be proactive and you'll rise to the top.

To All Business Owners - A Letter from the Boss

If you haven't read this, it's a great read. It came across my email today and just had to share. It's a little long but well worth the read. Leave comments and let me know what you think, but I completely agree with this letter:

To All My Valued Employees, 
 


There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country. 
 
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests. 
 
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last year’s Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life. 
 
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY: 
 
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. 
 
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. 
 
 Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had. 
 
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made. 
 
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for. 
 
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. 
 
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why: 
 
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero.. Nada. Zilch. 
 
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country. 
 
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy. 
 
Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now. 
 
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep. 
 
So where am I going with all this? 
 
It's quite simple. 
 
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I'll fire you. I'll fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem anymore. 
 
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship. 
 
So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.... 



Signed,

THE BOSS