Finding work in today's extraordinary times requires extraordingary effort and creative ideas. The competition for work is fierce across the globe - - but you can make a difference in your own job search. Today is your day to take "real" action. Read my article to learn how . . .

1. Finding Work in Today’s New Economy By Lorraine Rinker, Principal – Rinker and Associates (07/15/09) I’ve helped hundreds of people find their way through transition using practical methods with positive outcomes. Whether transition occurs as a matter of choice or as a surprise out of left field, it generally requires fortitude. Though I truly believe it helps to have a healthy sense of humor, finding work in today’s new economy is no laughing matter. Heck, right now it seems as if the world in general is no place for cry-babies. It takes a combination of intellect, street smarts, finesse, and an extraordinary amount of fortitude to get back up after being knocked down. The odds that you will get knocked down or pushed aside (at least once) are higher than ever, but you will improve your ability to get back up if you consider my “lessons learned” about finding work today: Whining is a waste of time. If you feel any form of desperation, do NOT demonstrate any of it in your voice or body language while you’re networking and communicating with others. Save those motivational “I need a cheerleader” conversations with family and friends you trust - - do not share your personal problems with recruiters, hiring managers, or informational contacts. People who don’t know you will automatically view your desperation as a weakness and an inability to hold it together under stress and pressure. No one wants to hire a person who acts desperate so, show your enthusiasm and passion to work instead of your anxiety. You are cheating the world by not being your authentic-self. Who you are is defined by what you believe in. Yet, we typically know what others expect of us better than we know what we want for ourselves. When you take the time to discover what you believe, you tap into the real YOU. Finding work YOU are passionate about is an opportunity to be your authentic-self. Anything less is a temporary short-term fix and should be considered a stepping stone to where you really want to be. You can live your legacy now or you can leave a shadow of yourself that no one will remember; you decide. There are no silver bullets - - none, nada, zilch! If there is a silver bullet in your search for work, it’s YOU – yourself, period. Your search for work is a process. Actually finding work is a transitional process that begins with “The Ending”. You are going to have to ask yourself the hard question, “What are you ready to let go of?” And then, you’re going to have to come up with the truthful answer. Not the strictly intellectual answer you know everyone else wants to hear, but the one you know comes straight from your heart and your gut. As long as you hang onto your old baggage, nothing new will come your way. Do yourself a favor and let go of the past so you can get on your way. If you’re waiting for someone else to make “the first move”, you’re part of the problem. It seems like more and more people are becoming paralyzed by fear and doubt in today’s new economy. People are waiting for someone else to solve the problem, make things better, and light the way. For practical reasons, there is absolutely no reason why that person can not be YOU! You don’t have to make the first move all of the time, but you do have to make the first move at the right times. Take the lead to actually act on a “what-if” scenario rather than analyze it to death. The great things you’re expecting to happen will come from your own actions. Go ahead, it’s your move – make it now! You’ve got to be willing to do things “ordinary” people would not do. These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary actions. You must differentiate yourself from the masses. What are your unique talents, skills, and experience? Rather than just blending in with everyone else, leverage the “things” that make you different from everyone else. Every one of us has a unique and compelling story to tell - - there is something about you that no one else can claim; uncover that story and tell it well. At some point you must be ready to improvise. You can leverage what you already know and look to your strengths to keep up with the curve of change. But, with the rules of engagement changing so quickly nowadays, your ability to be agile in the face of change will make or break your success. To get ahead of the work-search curve, you will need to think on your feet and react quickly. This wisdom comes from years of experience and can put you ahead of the pack. Agility requires you to learn on the fly and innovate as you go - - don’t get stuck in your “old way”, be ready to improvise. So, there you have it - - the truth about finding work as I’ve experienced it. Finding work is a daily process, one you must dedicate your heart and soul to. You’ve got to do more than just think about your search for work, or talk about what you’re going to do - - you’ve got to do it. My advice to you is to take a focused approach to your search. Casting too wide a net or having too many “lines in the water” might drain your energy. Begin with “first things first” and decide on where you want to go. Knowing your general direction will make it easier to reach your career destination. About the Author: Lorraine Rinker is a Real World Careerist with Rinker and Associates, a career coaching and consulting private practice. Possessing in-depth Fortune 100 experience and a 22-year Information Technology career culminating at the executive level, Lorraine now applies her passion for helping others find their “next step” through career and business coach-consulting. For more FREE tips on how to “get on your way”, visit www.rwcs.biz. © 2005-2009 Rinker and Associates. 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