Guerrilla Job Hunting

Perry's Rules for Job Hunting: 10 Rules in 10 Days

Day 4 - Rule 4:Never compromise on any of your commitments.

... to your job search Or yourself!

I can’t over emphasize the need to dream big - believe in yourself and GO FOR IT throughout your job hunt AND of course, every day thereafter. Michael Port – THE GUY TO CALL WHEN YOU’RE THINKING SMALL – wrote a brilliant piece for Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters [chapter 13 - Sample Campaigns].  He is without a doubt one of the upset people I know. Michael has thrived in an environment where most people would quit in their second heart beat. Read Michael’s Guerrilla Wisdom on job hunting.

Perry's Rules for Job Hunting: 10 Rules in 10 Days

Day 3 - Rule 3: Dedicate sufficient time every day for market research to fill your "opportunity funnel" I suggest at least two hours [if you're employed].

At night time putting down the tv remote is the most important thing you'll do all day.  Fact is jobs don't magically appear.  Luck is great but it's so unpredictable, so make your own luck everyday and you'll be in to your new job sooner rather than never.

Perry's Rules for Job Hunting: 10 Rules in 10 Days

DAY 2 -Rule 2: Never get frustrated. 

Big goals do that to you.  Why?  Because you rarely know how close you are.  Like a farmer in the field priming a pump to water a field, he pumps and pumps because he knows eventually the water will come. he keeps at it because he has little choice - it's literally victory or vanish.  You may not have the farmer's constitution or patience so here's a logical way to look for a job and keep at it with out going insane.

Start at the end.  I know this sounds counter intuitive.  Just trust me I've been doing this for 20 years.

Perry's Rules for Job Hunting: 10 Rules in 10 Days

DAY 1 -Rule 1:Consider every minute you spend on your job-hunting as an excellent investment in your future.   

The old saying goes "you never know who you're going to meet" is especially true when you're job hunting.  Keep in contact with the people you meet and especially with the ones who are

 

Perry's Rules for Job Hunting: 10 Rules in 10 Days

It was pretty late last night when I was winding up a speech to a group of job hunters.  On one level it's disturbing to note that the more often I speak the larger the crowds seem to get - I can only hope that since I rarely see the same faces [even in the same cities] it's becoming more socially acceptable to admit your out of work. In between opportunities. Or your job sucks. 

Any way,  as i said to the crowd last night I hate "rah-rah" motivational pitches because they pump you up for the moment which feels great.  And then you crash which doesn't -  so I’m not going to give you one.

I prefer wisdom to wit.  There is  one truth I've heard over the years that I know to be true that I will share with you now [the other 10 you'll get over the next 10 days]:

"the mind can only hold one thought at a time".

I know this to be true on a personal level. You see, shortly after the tech-wreck of 2001 a friend reminded me that I could either complain about having no business or focus on writing more new business, but I couldn't do both, AND only I could decide which to do.  [The same is true for job hunting.]

How quaint. At the time I was 5 months into a severe business drought.  [read buying groceries on my VISA]

But he was write and is essence I had nothing to loose so I chose to write more business. I set up my desk to make a massive number of calls, each of which would be preceded by an email and followed up afterwards with a fax. I made a lot of calls and I hadn’t heard “NO” that many times since my teens. [wink-wink I hope you don't know what  I mean...] I persisted. I had no choice I had staff and a family to feed.  Ask Animal he knows i enjoy food.  And on my 1114th cold call my luck changed as it did on my 1115th and 1116th. 

Thankfully the economy is much better now that it was from 2001-2005 and you’re never going to have to make the 1000 calls I did. But some days it's going to feel like it.  Over the next 10 days I'm going to give you a few truisms which I call Perry’s Rules if you take them to heart and embrace their intent, you’ll have a shorter trip to your “Dream Job” and may even enjoy the journey.

Starting tomorrow

3-5 years work experience - What do they really mean?

We’re looking for young and stupid ideally .... someone we can burnout ourselves.

Designing success

The most recent hire was hired because she sent me a beautifully hand designed booklet which contained the best samples of her design work.  She didn't just email me a link, or send a resume. The fact that she went over the top to design a hand made booklet was
impressive.  In fact, her experience on its own wouldn't have gotten her the interview, much less the job.  But the book did it!  Jill Tanenbaum, President, Jill Tanenbaum Graphic Design & Advertising, www.jtdesign.com

Required/Preferred - What do they really mean?

This is the old Wal-Mart tactic - we want as much experience as we can get for the same low low price

land your dream job by writing a self-help booklet

Really want to stand out and get ahead?  Got a couple of hours!  Sit down and write a booklet relevant to your industry with helpful information AND then give it away.  Everyone loves a freebie so give away something that demonstrates your expertise.  In my case, for example, I designed, wrote and distributed a free booklet on how to do a reference check  correctly, called Don't Hire a Liar. The booklet subtly points out the