Billie Sucher Blog

10 S Kaizen Your Job Search

My client and I were having a discussion about her current job and her extensive experience in 5 S Kaizen, both as a student and facilitator of this subject matter. Her words made me wonder...if corporations are investing in such training, then why not today's job seeker? Have you considered how you could deliver continuous improvement to your job search? Perhaps there's no better time than now to give it a thought. Kaizen your job search with these 10 S's:

1. Switch your thinking from scarcity to abundance. Instead of focusing on what you don't have in your skill set, how about focusing on what you do have? In fact, take a moment now to make a short list of all that you do have...what does your list reveal? The reality is, you have much value to offer an organization and it starts with careful and deliberate discovery of what that is at this particular time in your life. And if you, by chance, aren't pleased with what you do have, what steps do you need to take to initiate improvements?

2. Start looking for a new opportunity with an open mind and different thinking. As mentioned in point 5 of Sital's recent post here on Career Hub, how can you think differently to adapt your talents to different vocations and pursuits? Albert Einstein offered this definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Are you doing the same thing over and over in your job search and expecting different results? If so, what improvements can you make?

3. Search for support. Support may not come knocking on your door in a nice, tidy package; you may have to go hunt for it while you're also hunting for a new job. Ask around in your community about support groups, meet-ups and job networking events to help you jump-start your job search. What you'll realize is that you are not alone, even though you may feel like it. Everybody has a story and after you've told yours 25 times, maybe the 26th rendition won't be so overwhelming.

4. Stand out! I love watching Idol and my favorite singers because they simply stand out. When Adam Lambert sang Mad World a couple of weeks ago, perhaps you'll recall that Simon gave him a standing ovation. Adam stands out, in my opinion. What, if anything, can you do to enhance your overall interview performance and improve your chances of standing out and winning the job offer?

5. Seek and find a volunteer opportunity. Maybe you love animals; why not volunteer a few hours per week at the local Animal Rescue League or Animal Lifeline? You'll meet other people and those people work and live in your community. Those people also know other people who might have a need for someone just like you. From running errands to helping a child become a better reader to coaching a 7-year old how to hit a baseball, the world awaits you (and needs you) and your volunteer offerings. Lose yourself in others and you may very well find yourself along the way.

6. Shape and structure your search to succeed. Be it offline or on line, let others hear from you. Let others know how they can help you. Do not offer vague descriptions when asked about what type of job you're looking for. Vague language such as "looking for a job and will take about anything" will hinder your forward movement. Get clear about you, who you are, and what you want career wise at this time in your life. The clearer you get about your career direction and the strategies that will take you there, the greater your chances of achieving your desired results.

7. Sell what you have, not what you don't. Instead of focusing your energy, efforts and thinking on what you're not, how about focusing your energies on what you are? I recall bidding a job a few years ago. I was told they were looking for a consultant with a Ph.D. given that some of the downsized employees had Ph.D.'s. Thanks to Yogi Berra thinking, when I came to the fork in the road, I took it. I bid the job with a Master's degree and got the contract. Before you automatically take yourself out of the running, think again.

8. Sort out possibilities beyond what you have been doing. Examine your skills and distill those that you are especially interested in applying to a new opportunity in the future. Then, consider whether or not you wish to continue doing what you've been doing (if the industry still exists), trying your hand at something new, going back to school, or deciding that retirement is your preferred option of choice.

9. Stop feeling sorry for yourself if you don't have a job right now. That sounds a little very harsh indeed, however, you won't help your case much by dwelling upon what was, what might have been, or what happened in the past. What's done is done. Today is what you have to work with, so how will you make it work for you instead of against you as you head down the road to the new tomorrow of your life?

10. Sustain good habits. Whatever you're doing that keeps you motivated, on track, and moving forward, keep on doing those things. And if you realize that you don't practice good habits to well serve yourself and others, what measures can you take to improve?

What small changes can you make on a regular basis to improve your job search productivity, quality, and effectiveness? What's one little thing you could do today?

I N T E G R I T Y

What noun is a four-syllable word with nine letters, starts with "i" and ends in "y"? While there might be other words to answer that question, the specific word I have in mind is integrity. The dictionary defines integrity as:

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; 2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished...

What does integrity mean to you? And more specifically, what does it mean to you as it relates to you and your job search? A client was discussing what was important to him in a job and he said that first and foremost, he looked for integrity in individuals and in the organization. When I think of conducting a job search with integrity, many thoughts come to mind:

Integrity in representing yourself to others, be it employers (past, present, or potential), colleagues, clients and/or your network connections.

N o lies; no lying; and not getting known as a name-dropper. Do you want to be remembered as the candidate who dropped names or the candidate with the best requisite skills to do the job?

Truth and honesty in your employment communications, interactions, and exchanges via e-mail, resumes, cover letters, applications, interviews, telephone calls, social media communications and face-to-face networking. I like Mark Twain's words:

if you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

E thical behavior and consistently high standards of professionalism in your actions, words, and deeds, both online and offline.

Giving because it's a good thing, not because you may get something in return.

Respect for others, for self, and for playing by the rules.

I nvested in helping organizations and individuals succeed in multiple ways by solving problems, cutting costs, increasing profits, improving efficiencies and productivity, gaining market share, expanding brand awareness, delivering desired results, and/or outperforming the competition.

T rusted; you can be counted on without condition, restriction, or financial gain, no matter what, day-in-day-out, 24/7.

Y ou either have it, or you don't. You get one shot to make good on your word; you make a promise and you keep it -- it's that simple.

What does integrity mean to you? How do you integrate integrity into your job search?