“Entering or re-entering the workforce >> is work.” “Finding a job is NOT easy.” In this article you’ll learn of a few easy steps that will enhance your approach to entering (or re-entering) the workforce.

Every here the phrase: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” although very debatable, there’s a lot of truth to it. The people you know and affiliate yourself with affect you and your life, your every decision, each and every day. You look to your personal/professional panel of trusted experts when you make decisions. Don’t forget about these folks that care for you most upon entering (or re-entering) the workforce.  

Have Passion – in something
One must have passion and a desire to succeed – in something. Whether you’re seeking a 9 to 5 job, a career or a lifestyle, you have a calling to do or to be something in this big, big world. We are all uniquely gifted. I refer to this quote often when working with candidates identifying their calling or passion:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. As yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
                                                                                                               - Howard Thurman
An exercise to help with identifying your true passion - identify motivators that are motivating you to take a step into the workforce, these are must-haves once you’re in your new job. For example, Teri is motivated by the following:
1. Fulfillment
2. Sense of Achievement
3. Knowledge
4. Personal Drive
5. Money
In order for Teri to become 100% satisfied with her job, she must align her motivators with a job that will accommodate 5/5 motivators. If 4/5, one would be 80% fulfilled, and 3/5 only 60%, and so on.

Consult – with people you respect and know you best
Consult with your network and/or natural market – through 1-on-1 conversations, share your mission with the people that love you, know your character and know you best. Explain to them what’s motivating you to enter or re-enter the workforce. Upon your network having a clear understanding of what you’re looking for, ask them who they would recommend you visit with (business leaders in the community, their friends and family). You may also want to consider consulting with:
career counselors
search firms / recruiters (a.k.a. head-hunters)
college advisors
executives

Search
Have a clear and easy to read, up-to-date resume ready to distribute electronically and via hard-copy. Utilize your network again to bounce your polished resume off of. Resumes must be easy to read and usually have the following flow:
Objective
Job/Career Highlights
Experience (Professionally)
Education
Activities/Interests
Research opportunities that align well with your motivators. Again, make sure to start your list by asking your network. An easy way to compare different opportunities is by comparing the 3C’s: Company, Culture, and Career. Other sources may include:
Job web sites: monster, careerbuilder, hotjobs
Industry specific web sites/publications
online networking tools: linkedin
community resources: chamber of commerce, city newspaper
Company web site

Connect
Given you have passion, you’ve consulted with your network, you’ve searched for opportunities diligently – now it’s up to you to connect to opportunities in your focused scope. One can compare the search process to seeking the right investment, house-hunting or even finding your soul mate. Interview, interview, interview! The interview process will only help you understand what you do and do not like about opportunities you choose to pursue. By doing your homework up-front, you’ll gain confidence along the way, propelling you through interviews. A few key tips when interviewing:
Be yourself – don’t shy away from who you really are.
Explain your motivators and why they’re important to you. Compare your motivators to all opportunities you’re pursuing.  
Dress for success – Business Dress is always appropriate. The first impression lasts approximately 8 seconds.
Show up on-time!
I’ll leave you with this quote:
“To find a career to which you are adapted by nature, and then to work hard at it, is about as near to a formula for success and happiness as the world provides. One of the fortunate aspects of this formula is that, granted the right career has been found, the hard work takes care of itself. Then hard work is not hard work at all.”                                                                                                                                                                                 - Author Unknown
– by Justin Pickar, Founder & CEO, EHFAR, LLC dba Virtue search

Categories: job-seekers, resources
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