NORFOLK, MASS…
With the latest surge in the unemployment rate to 7.2 percent, more Americans are out of work than ever before. While that figure carries many economic implications, it also means that more Americans are looking for work than ever before. According to Career /Life coach Dawn Quesnel, that presents even more of a challenge for those newly unemployed.
“There’s a good portion of people recently unemployed who may have not been in the job market for quite some time or at least never been in the position of being forced to look for work. What they’re going to learn is that finding a job in this kind of market takes a more focus, directed approach—probably more so than any other time in most people’s lifetimes,” Quesnel, a certified personal coach and owner of Career Life Balance.
To combat the new lay of the job market, Quesnel, an executive recruiter prior to starting her coaching practice six years ago, developed a common sense approach to not only finding a job, but finding one you want. The six-step process, which forms the acronym of B.R.I.D.G.E, includes:
Become clear on the type of position you're looking for. Instead of staying, “I am looking for a Project Manager position,” be as specific as possible. For example, “I am looking for a Project Manager position in the advertising industry, working on healthcare accounts.” The clearer you are, the more you are to find what you’re looking for.
Research the type of companies who hire these types of positions. Where might you network to increase your reach of new contacts?
Identify your target market. Which companies do you want to work for who can utilize your expertise and skill sets? Does your resume speak to what they are looking for?
Develop your list of contacts. Don’t leave out from your list, your dentist, doctor, house cleaner, neighbor, relatives, recruiters, former boss, etc. You never know who might have the connection to a contact. You can expand your list of contacts by using tools like www.linkedin.com and www.zoominfo.com; and don’t forget about those alumni resources.
Game Plan – Set aside some time to write out a game plan, even if you start with just a bullet list of things that will support your search initiatives for the week. Again be specific, don’t just write, “send out resumes”. Instead write, “send resumes to John and Beth, contact Syracuse University to get access to alumni resources, etc”.
Execute & evaluate the plan. It’s not going to happen by itself. Block off the time in your calendar to execute, evaluate and adjust the plan as needed.
“The average job search is takes roughly one month for every $10,000 in salary. So, if you’re looking for a job making $50,000 a year, you can expect it to take in the neighborhood of five months,” said Quesnel. ““The BRIDGE process has been tested and proven to reduce the time it takes to land a job by nearly 50 percent! In today’s economy, that’s HUGE, particularly if you’re providing for a family.”
In addition to using this technique with her clients, Quesnel also teaches a BRIDGE teleclass. The next six-week session begins on January 12, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for six consecutive Mondays. Those interested in signing up, can visit http://www.careerlifebalance.net/career.aspx.
For more information about the BRIDGE process or to set up a complimentary consultation with Coach Quesnel, please contact (508) 520-9933 or visit www.careerlifebalance.net.
About Career Life Balance
Career Life Balance is a professional coaching company specializing in helping individuals set and achieve their career and personal goals while maintaining a balance between work and home lives. Coach Dawn Quesnel is professionally certified coach and an accredited member of the International Coach Federation. Coach DQ hosts has appeared on the local ABC television affiliate, as well as several other media outlets, and hosts her own weekly radio program on WNRI 1380 AM (www.wnri.com). For more information, please visit http:www.careerlifebalance.net.
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