The Hierarchy of Habits

The Hierarchy of Job Hunting Habits

            Rarely are there exceptions, however, the following represent critical job-searching issues for which there should be zero exceptions. Break them at your peril.

            The single most important factor in job hunting is your eating habits. What you consume directly affects your mental processing ability, including the ability to concentrate and remain focused, attitude and outlook, mental energy level, physical appearance and health status.

            When you walk in to be interviewed, sure employers want to know about your skill level and qualifications, but what they visually discern shouts volumes. Yes it is possible to conceal a few pounds, but hit that plus scale, and an interview could turn south. There are no excuses you can offer to explain away a poor impression.

            Have you ever observed someone driving a piece of junk down the road? What is the first thing that pops into your mind? “Poor soul probably doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.” In span of a split second, an opinion was formed. It would not matter if the individual had $20 million in the bank. 

            Job recruiters are no exception. Just like you, they make snap judgments based upon your appearance. Yes, you can slap on a fresh coat of paint and clean the windows, but if your chasse appears out of shape, it will be mentally noted. Just because they don’t make comment should not be construed that it is not important.

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            The next issue on the hierarchy of bad habits is lack of cardiovascular and strength exercise. The reason for placing this second is because all the exercise in the world will not offset poor eating habits. Exercise will, however, increase your physical stamina and appearance. Interviewing is a high-stress producing activity. 

You may very well be able to endure a 20 or 30 minute interview. Should that activity stretch into an hour-long examination, large segments of the population begin falling apart. Successful interviewing demands physical stamina. 

You do not have to enroll in the iron-man competition, but you do need to blend strenuous cardiovascular (primary) and strength (secondary) exercises for a minimum of 20 minutes per day. If you cannot sandwich a seven-day routine into a hectic work schedule, than you need to bump it up to 30 minutes five days a week. Increase the time duration as you reduce the days. Exercising less than 20 minutes and less than three days per week is not recommended.

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Finally, the third important issue is establishing and maintaining a job hunting routine. Merely flipping open the help wanted section or cruise the internet will not cut it. Every employment-seeking hostage on the planet uses that job-hunting strategy.

When we address a job-hunting routine, we are talking about maintaining a nine-to- five routine that involves a strategic action plan. On the front page of this blog, you will note near the top of the screen a Checklist option. You should print it for each interview and check-off each item as you go. 

If you are unemployed, invest a few hours each day reviewing potential job interviewing questions. Seven common interviewing questions appear in the Job Interviewing Tips article. But don’t stop there. Serious recruiters have endless thought-provoking questions designed to reveal your hidden talents—or, benign shortfalls.

Mindlessly walking into a job interview unprepared to respond to basic questions is like walking aimlessly through a minefield. When the landmine detonates, you will be cut of at the knees. On the other hand, relate your knowledge, skills and abilities to an employer’s specific needs quickly shift an interview into high gear. Plan to invest a few hours each day planning, rehearsing and researching.

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The culmination of your ability to implement these critically important elements (eating habits, exercise and game plan) will determine your results. Unless you were born into old money wealth and inherited a cash-rich company, there are no exceptions. For those in need of securing new employment, how you begin will determine how you will end.

Job Hunting Routine

Job Hunting Routine

The instant anyone becomes unemployed—regardless of the reason—something odd occurs. A routine is broken. Suddenly, the individual feels upside down. Some may feel relieved, but the overwhelming majority go through the five stages of grief.

Losing employment ranks up there with death of a valued friend. From a psychological prospective, it is important for the job seeker to process through the grief stages as quickly as possible. The quicker an individual passes through these stages, the faster the bounce back. The longer this process takes, the more likely you will encounter a very angry and frustrated job seeker.

Without going into a lengthy dissertation, here are the capsulized stages of grief:

           

1.      Denial	This occurs when one shifts blame to someone else, or denies reality.
2.      Anger	This occurs when one direct anger toward others—including strangers.
3.      Bargain	This occurs when one rationalizes what ifs to escape reality. Some resort to making secret vows.
4.      Depression	This is the most difficult and potentially dangerous stage. It manifests itself through feels of sadness, regret, worry and/or anxiety. When this becomes the new daily routine, professional help may be needed.
5.      Acceptance	This occurs when the job seeker is able to cope with the job loss, and return to a productive routine. If (when) the individual fails to reach this stage, the individual will never make a productive transition.

While the first four stages do not always occur in chronological order, the acceptance stage consistently occurs last. Ultimately, an unemployed individual needs to arrive at this stage. In short, sooner is better than later or never.

Everyone is a product of his or her routines. Those with productive routines fair difficulties and challenges better than those who proceed aimlessly through the job market. The moment established routines are broken; one becomes irritated, annoyed, frustrated and/or disoriented. Here are some quick reminders while performing a job search:

1.       Do not alter sleeping routine or change the alarm clock setting.

2.       Do not alter eating habits—unless it is to eat smarter.

3.       Do not stay home and lounge—there is work to be done.

4.       Do not occupy time performing household chores during the week.

5.       Do not stop exercising—unless you have not started.

While these routines seem logical, most job seekers—especially those with prolonged unemployment, tend to behave irrationally. Too often, job seekers unwittingly alter daily routines, and upend their emotional compass and job-hunting psyche.