How to Get a Job in 30 Days...or atleast quicker than if you don't follow these instructions :)

I really started to write a book about this a few years ago. If i had i'd probably be rich by now given the current rate of joblessness. (Note to self, next time, follow through on that brilliant idea - lesson learned)

No, i am not making the guarantee that the dream job you've always wanted is going to fall into your lap based on you reading the strategies that i know work for me, but i will tel you, these strategies absolutely do work for me, and i'm pretty happily employed and once i started embracing these strategies, i've never gone more than 30 days without being employed.

1. You are allowed one (1) and only one day to grieve. Get it out your system, cry if you need to. You got fired, layed off, quit so you wouldn't shoot someone and wind up in jail, whatever your reasons from transitioning from your last work place, allow yourself a day to feel that. But after that day, you need to let go, you have the rest of your life to live.

2. Focus! Focus! Focus! Failure is not an option. You have to believe with every fiber of your being that you will succeed in your job search, because if you don't believe it, how will anyone else. My suggestions for staying in the proper mindstate, surround yourself with positivity. Listen to music with positive messages - one of my favorite is "Get Yourself Up" by KRS One. Start a fitness routine, maybe running everymorning, so that you stay in the habit of waking up and getting out of bed and being productive. The absolute last thing you want to do is lay in bed all day. Laying around makes it way too easy to fall back into the grieving stage, and you need to move on with the rest of your life. With every job application you send, whether it's one or 100, you need to have firm confidence that you are the right fit for the position and the hiring manager will call you back.

3. Go the extra mile when sending out your resume. Each cover letter and resume should specifically reflect the skills/qualities being looked for in that position. Make sure it is tailored to the company, do some research on the company itself, even before you send your resume/cover letter - and ALWAYS spell check.

3. Do the research. At this point, you are focused and confident in yourself, you've sent this amazing, tailored resume, so the HR person has called you in for an interview. Research the company to the point where you would feel comfortable writing atleast a 2 to 3 page report on them. This research not only makes you look good in the interview, but will also solidify in your mind if this company is really the right fit for you. It will also give you more to talk about and questions to ask in the interview. Note - if you don't care enough about the company to do this, you probably don't want the job

4. Be friendly during the interview. Don't be afraid to be yourself, smile, make (office appropriate) jokes, and really read the person interviweing you to find out what you need to present to them about yourself that will make you memorable and put you in the best light. I cannot stress enough how important it is for the person you interview with to have positive memories of you. You want them to go back through their list of applicants and see your name and smile, knowing you're the one.

5. If you really want it, absolutely follow up. During the interview you should have found out when they expect to make a decision, or when you should hear from them. If this day occurs, call or email after 2pm to see where they are in the process. This shows you are still interested and keeps you fresh in their minds if they're still sorting through applicants.

6. Know your worth! Don't low ball yourself. When salary is discussed, you should know what the average salary is of someone in the field and based on your own qualifications make your demand. Do not worry about asking for too much. What i've found is that if a company wants you there, they'll pay you what you're worth, and if they don't, why would you want to be there.

I hope this helps those of you in the job market. I know it's hard to maintain confidence, but you've got to remember, the universe is mental, you have to believe in yourself before other's will.

Also - when you go to the interview, please dress appropriately, this should be self evident, but just in case...