"There seems to be a perverse human characterstic that likes to make easy things difficult." - Warren Buffett

Well, job hunting isn't easy and Warren Buffett, you are a bazillionaire.  How much is a bazillion dollars?  Ten times more than a zillion.

Although, I have to give Mr. Buffett some credit.  He did start working at the ripe old age of 11.  As a child Buffett would go door to door selling chewing gum his grandfather sold to him.  That's a life lesson right there.  When your grandpa won't even give you free gum to help you turn an even larger profit, you know you're in for a lifetime of work.  Earning a living is hard, and it starts one dollar at a time.  Finding a way to earn a living is hard, and it starts one application at a time. 

That's not to say there aren't ways to streamline the job application process.  I was working through the tedious process of filling out an online application and was reminded of how much longer it would be taking if I hadn't found my own shortcuts.  I still have to put in the leg work to fill out the application, but it helps to have my information handy in a word processing document since applications tend ask the same basic information.

Vanna, if you please . . . just don't let our algebra teacher see my cheat sheet.

1.  Work history.  I have all of my previous jobs listed from current to oldest with the following information:

• Company Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Employment dates listed with month and year; these will be listed on your resume but it's just as easy  to have your information in one spot
• Salary information, especially if you received any pay increases during your time at a company.  It's a good way to signal an employer was happy with your work.

2.  Job duties.  For each job I have held I have one sentence that hits the highlights of what I did in that position.  For example, "On a daily basis I handled the office's customer service needs, as well as processed claims and various paperwork."  You can also go with a bulleted list on this one.  The main thing is to hit the key components since most applications don't give you a lot space.

3.  Reasons for leaving.  This one is unavoidable but also important. 

• Keep it classy.  I have seen everything from, "They weren't going to hire me full time fast enough." to "I didn't get along with my boss." on applications.  These types of statements won't win you admiration for working in such horrid conditions. 
• Keep it honest.  If you were fired, there's not point in saying otherwise.  Sooner or later everyone's bill comes to.  Even if a future employer doesn't call your boss to hear him or her sing your praises, they will at least call to confirm employment dates and rehire statuses.  A simple, "I was let go." or "I was downsized." will fill the need on your application.  You can explain in further detail when it comes time for the interview. 
• Keep it positive.  This ties into Point A.  Even if you hated your job and would've trampled your own mother to get out of there, leaving your job needs to be framed as a positive career move.  Since there isn't a lot of space to write flowing prose, a simple statement such as, "I was looking for opportunities in the human resources field beyond the realm of retail." will work.       

4.  School information.  Do I remember where I went to high school?  Yes.  Do I know what street it's located on?  No.  I know Google is a great and fast tool but when you've been filling out tons of applications, looking up even basic information becomes tiresome. 

5.  Optional skills.  Some applications will ask for any relevant coursework, certifications, or trainings you have had that will be an asset to the company.  It's not a bad idea to have this information handy.  For example, "I have taken collegiate courses in human resources, marketing, and advertising."

6.  Reference information.  Have the names, phone numbers, work addresses, and job titles of your references handy AND preapproved.  Do not list someone as a reference before asking for their okay, even if you're 100% sure they will say yes.  Doing so shows a lack of respect to the people who will have your back.  I have been called for a reference check on someone who didn't warn me I was a reference.  I still gave positve feedback, but I was also perturbed. 

If you come across an application for a great job that's due tomorrow and you don't have references lined up, call the people to see if it's okay to list them.  If they won't answer their phone, start looking for other professional contacts you can get ahold of. 

Once you have a person's approval, it is okay to list them repeatedly.  However, as a courtesy, it would be a good idea to check in with them every few months to still see if it's okay to list them, if they're still with their contact information is correct, or to give them a heads up you're looking again. 

I hope your list will help make the application process a little easier.  Isn't it nice to be at a point in life where you can't flunk out if you have a cheat sheet to help you with your work?

Positive Thought of the Day:
"Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy." - Lao Tzu

“The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you’re on the job.” - Slappy White

Whether or not you are employed while job searching the biggest step is getting started.  I know.  Just call me Captain Obvious. 

One of the reasons why we put off finding a new job or tell ourselves the job we’re in isn’t so bad is because job hunting scares the bejeebers out of us.  Yes, it is daunting.  But, just like eating an elephant, all you need to do is take it one bite at a time.

Vanna, if you please, bring out the list . . .

1.   Find your heart’s desire.  Grab a notebook or Post-It and write down what types of jobs you would like to do or companies you would like to work for, even if they’re seemingly out of your reach.  Saying you want to be a movie star or a world famous belly dancer may sound silly, but it may also be that tiny little voice you’ve been shushing urging to take a look at your inner entertainer.  You need to be your own biggest cheerleader.  If you don’t believe in your dreams, who else will?

2.   Find a pattern.  Take your list and group any job or company into as many relateable groups as possible.  If you have a list of, say, ten items and the top three are the humane society, Red Cross, or youth director, maybe a shift towards the non-profit sector is in order.  Or, if you are leaning towards such positions as development director, recruiting, or even accounting, take a look breaking into education.  Ivy covered walls look pretty, but they don’t bring in money from donors, give tours to potential freshmen, or allot financial aid to thousands of students.  Getting a handle on what career paths you want to travel down now will help your actual career search later.  

3.   Find jobs to apply to.  That’s all for tonight, folks!  You’ve been a wonderful audience . . . Okay.  Seriously.  Now it’s time to do the leg work.  Times, they are a-changin’.  Gone are the days when you would get spiffed up to pound the pavement in hopes to land an on-the-spot interview.  As someone who has worked in human resources (HR), do not assume that just because you dropped off your resume you will get an instantaneous interview.  Just because it looks like we’re just sitting at a computer playing Angry Birds doesn’t mean we are.  Presumptuous interrupting of the workflow of HR is not the best way to get your foot in the door.  It’s actually a great way to annoy the gatekeepers of the hiring process. 

Next we will cover how actually take that focused energy and actually search for jobs . . . Onwards and upwards!

Positive Thought for the Day:

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." - Henry Ford