Jennifer Kristen Hill - Stop Hoping Start Hunting!: a Job Seekers Guide to Finding Their Job

Stop Hoping...
Start Hunting!

J ENNIFER K. H ILL

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the author and publisher have utilized their best efforts and knowledge in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The suggestions and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This publication is designed to offer accurate and authoritative information in regards to the subject matter. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing professional career services. If expert assistance is required, the service of the appropriate professional should be sought. It is also important to note that the names of the job seekers in this book have been altered in most cases to protect the privacy of those job seekers, unless otherwise specified.

Copyright 2013 JHill Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-578-1085-5-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013907973

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Printed in the United States of America.

For my husband, Ian, who has always believed in and encouraged me. Also, my family, who taught me from a young age that I could always be whatever I dreamed of and that if I worked hard, no goal was ever unattainable.

I T IS ONE WEEK BEFORE T HANKSGIVING AND I AM REFERRED A NEW JOB seeker, Sue, who was recently laid off. We meet for coffee on a crisp morning in downtown Los Angeles at Starbucks to discuss her job search. She begins by lamenting how she has never been laid off or let go in her life and does not know what to do. Additionally, she expresses her concerns about not being able to find a job over the holidays and relays that she does not know what to do, as she is the primary breadwinner in her family.

Does this story sound familiar? It is a story that many a job seeker I have met with has faced. I see it all too often when an intelligent, capable employee is laid off or let go for some reason or another and the situation proceeds to break their bank and their spirit. When someone is laid off around the holidays, it can be even more challenging for that job seeker.

So how is this story any different than all the others out there about unemployed job seekers who are despondent and do not see any access to having their old career or any career back? This story is about perspective. It is about how ones perspective can shift the way a circumstance occurs and, in turn, shift the outcome of that persons future.

That day, I sat there and listened empathetically to the story I had heard all too many times before, but on this day, I decided to offer some coaching that I do not always offer. I asked Sue how that perspective was working out for her.

She replied, What perspective?

The perspective that your circumstances are outside of your control and that your holidays are going to be miserable. That you are bad and/or wrong for having been laid off and that you will never find another job or at least not as good or well-paying of a job, I responded.

She laughed nervously, and then took a moment to think about. I guess it kind of sucks.

Yes, I concurred, it does, doesnt it? I continued on, Are you open to looking at this situation from a different perspective that could give you access to having one of the best holidays of your life?

She looked at me incredulously but answered with a slight enthusiasm, Absolutely!

I went on to discuss with her how her thoughts and her words were going to create exactly what she feared most: no job and no money for her family. The only thing we have in life is our thoughts and what we say about them (i.e., our perspective). In her case, she was saying what many unemployed people say: Its hard, I wont find a job, I cannot find a job, I am not as young as I used to be, etc.

What happens when we use this language and think these disem-powering thoughts, I explained, is that we begin to create that disempowering reality as the truth. Most people sit around hoping for a miracle or some even go out and aggressively look for a job hoping that something good will turn out for them, but the language they use and the thoughts they think are counterproductive to their intended outcome: getting a job.

So what do I do? she asked. Well, that is the question, isnt it? What can you do to alter the way you think, act and speak so that your thoughts and words align with your intention?

What would it be like, I asked, if you shifted your perspective and saw this as an opportunity rather than an obstacle?

I am not sure I understand, she replied, confused.

When was the last time you had a month or more off around the holidays with your husband and children where you got to enjoy every moment with them?

I cannot remember, she said.

What if you were to look at this layoff as a gift? A chance to spend a month off with your family and to cherish every moment you have with them and know without a shadow of a doubt that you will have an even better job come the New Year?

That would be a miracle! She exclaimed. How would I possibly do that?

We sat down and went through what I am going to teach you in this book, which is to take HOPE out of the job hunt and put together an intentional action plan, including a Statement of Intent and a Daily Declaration. Yes, in this book you will also learn about how to effectively job hunt and interview, but this is not just a how-to book on being effective at job hunting. This is a book about the mental AND physical work that it takes to shift your perspective around your job hunt and give yourself access to the career you have always wanted.

That day, we created a Statement of Intent and a Daily Declaration for Sue. We will discuss what these methods are in later chapters. By the time we completed our interview, she had access to a new perspective on her job search and a new action plan on how to be effective in achieving her goals.

A few weeks later, I received a call on Christmas Eve. It was Sue. She was in tears. At first, I was worried that something had happened, but through her tears she managed to get out Jennifer, I want you to know that these are not tears of sadness; rather, they are tears of joy. Thanks to your coaching and feedback I have had the most amazing last few weeks celebrating the holidays with my family, and that would not have been possible if you had not helped me shift my perspective. I also want you to know that I have not found a job yet, but it does not even concern me. I have been doing my Daily Declaration and focusing on my Statement of Intent every day and there is not a question in my mind that I will have a job come the New Year. Thank you for what you taught me.

Less than two weeks later, I got a call a few days after the New Year and it was Sue. Jennifer, I want you to know that I got a job, and not only that, it is closer to home and pays me more money. Thank you for what you taught me. I will always remember you.

This story is an example of what you can learn from the lessons in this book. You can learn how to stop hoping and start hunting. You can learn how to proactively go after and get what you want not only in the job hunt, but also in many areas of your life where you are willing to shift your perspective and take action.

My commitment is that you will choose to take the hope out of your job hunt by the time you finish this book.