2 Job-Search Success Stories

Here are two success stories from my readers who found great new jobs last week. As you read each story, ask yourself, "How could I apply this to my job hunt?"

1) Job-search goal cards work

Here's a story sent in by Fred, from Chanhassen, Minn. He got hired, in part, by using my "job-search goal card" technique in his search.

Fred writes:

"On Tuesday, May 24th, I attended the Star Tribune job fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center and heard you speak. You said to write down our ideal new job on a 3x5 card and read it every day until we found a job.

"I just started working today (July 26) as a consultant, at $65 per hour, on a 3-6 month contract that could go as long as 18 months. I am working at a major Fortune 500 company not far from my house. Conclusion: Mission accomplished. Thanks!"

Here's what Fred wrote on his job search goal card -- you can see how close he came to hitting the mark:

"I am a project manager / business analyst / CIO / controller who knows how to use technology to build new products and systems. I am making $85,000 per year, and I enjoy meeting new people and problems."

Your Takeaway Lesson: When you write down a specific description of your ideal job and read it out loud at least twice a day, you will almost always get hired faster. Why? For the same reason you can start a fire with the sun's rays using a magnifying glass -- focus.

I recommend you write the following statement on a 3x5 card and say it 10 times out loud, three times a day -- when you wake up, during lunch, and before going to bed each night. This will imprint your job-search goal on your brain. And focus your efforts. And help you get hired faster:

"It's August 30 (INSERT DATE YOU WANT TO BE WORKING BY). I'm an effective INSERT JOB TITLE who adds value to the company lucky enough to have me. I'm making $XX,XXX in a stimulating environment, doing work I love, surrounded by co-workers I enjoy."

To make this work for you, all you need is a clear idea of the job you want, a 3x5 card and a pen. This is not high-tech or low-tech -- this is no-tech. So you have no excuse for not trying it.

2) Keep an open mind and say "Thank you."

Anna C. from Michigan is newly employed and writes: "I have the most wonderful job -- every day I feel like I'm playing."

Not bad, eh? When work is play, work is good.

But, Anna was first turned down by the employer who eventually hired her. Her story shows the importance of keeping an open mind ? and of always sending thank-you letters.

Anna writes: "I received many interview offers, none of which I was interested in. Many were sales-based. I finally responded to an email for a job as an agent for XYZ Company. I had never, ever thought of being a salesperson. As a matter of fact, I HATED sales people. Well, I didn't get the job, so I sent a thank-you note to the interviewer."

That doesn't sound very promising, does it? Keep reading ?

Anna got a call for a second interview, but she had no intention of taking the job, partly because it was too far from home. "But then I received a second email from XYZ, this time for a job out of St. Joseph, Michigan, which is closer to my home. I thought, 'Someone must be trying to tell me something,' so I applied. I was hired," she says.

Your Takeaway Lesson: Keep an open mind and don't be too quick to rule out positions that aren't exactly what you're looking for. As Anna's case illustrates, you might get hired for a job you weren't even looking for.

And, even if you don't get an offer after your first interview, send a thank-you letter to the employer. They may ask you back for another job that's even better, as in Anna's case.

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes.

Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.

As a reader of this publication, you're eligible for a special offer. Get your Free Job Search Kit ($25.00 value) at the Guaranteed Resumes Web site - http://www.gresumes.com

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Google News Updated : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:32 GMT McCain, Obama get personal in final debate - The Associated Press Washington Post McCain, Obama get personal in final debate The Associated Press - 41 minutes ago HEMPSTEAD, NY (AP) - John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Thursday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their ... McCain, Obama tussle over backing Bush’s policies Reuters Obama Widens Lead as Americans See `Serious' Crisis (Update2) Bloomberg TIME - Wall Street Journal - Austin American-Statesman - ABC News all 775 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:37 GMT FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" - Ars Technica CNET News FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" Ars Technica - 3 hours ago By Nate Anderson | Published: October 15, 2008 - 06:08PM CT The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released its long-awaited technical report (PDF) on "white space" prototype devices, and the conclusion comes right up front: "At this juncture, ... FCC Chairman backs use of "white space" spectrum CNET News FCC Gives Whites Spaces a Boost New York Times CRN - NetworkWorld.com - The Associated Press - Wired News all 271 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:12:55 GMT Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir - New York Times National Post Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir New York Times - 33 minutes ago By JOSHUA ROBINSON BOSTON - Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon has always disliked last-minute adjustments. So when he threw the Boston Red Sox a curveball on Wednesday by announcing that he was changing his Game 5 starter, Maddon said it was always ... Rays will go with Scott Kazmir in Game 5 Los Angeles Times Rays continue Cinderella story Newsday The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - MLB.com - Tampabay.com - SI.com all 718 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean - The Associated Press BBC News Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean The Associated Press - 1 hour ago CHRISTIANSTED, US Virgin Islands (AP) - Heavy rains and winds pummeled St. Croix on Wednesday as the outer edge of powerful Hurricane Omar drenched the island, stranding motorists on flooded roads and forcing workers to shut down a giant oil refinery. Video: Hurricane Omar Nears Caribbean Islands AssociatedPress Omar Strengthens in Caribbean, Aims at Virgin Islands (Update4) Bloomberg United Press International - Washington Post Blogs - Bradenton Herald - Beaumont Enterprise all 2,958 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:42:51 GMT Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual - International Herald Tribune ABC News Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual International Herald Tribune - 33 minutes ago AP SEATTLE: Federal authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the failure of Washington Mutual Inc., the largest bank failure in US history. Federal Investigators to Examine Washington Mutual New York Times Washington Mutual's Failure Under US Investigation (Update2) Bloomberg Reuters - Wall Street Journal - Seattle Post Intelligencer - ABC News all 87 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:47 GMT Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees - Los Angeles Times stv.tv Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees Los Angeles Times - 46 minutes ago By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Looking to cut overhead and operating expenses after the recent departure of DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg, Paramount Pictures plans to release fewer films, consolidate operations and slash 25 ... Spielberg back in fold Financial Times Paramount cuts films, jobs Straits Times New York Times - AZ Central.com - Bizjournals.com - Reuters all 42 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:58:16 GMT As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look - New York Times Vancouver Sun As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look New York Times - 33 minutes ago By TYLER KEPNER LOS ANGELES - For the first 10 years of their existence, when they never won more than 70 games in a season, the Tampa Bay Rays faced Joe Torre more than any other manager. Rollins leads off Game 5 with homer MLB.com Rollins, Phillies lead Dodgers in Game 5 of NLCS The Associated Press USA Today - WDTN - Philadelphia Daily News - Washington Post all 325 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT Automate Your Blogging RSS Software

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