Open that book and share the wisdom inside. I'd love to land my dream job. But at the moment the other things you mention are the priorities. Schedule, income...

Here is the essence of the book;

Traditional job search (sending resumes, filling out applications, etc.) works about 5% of the time.

The author recommends;

1. You dont send a resume--you send a "impact letter". That's a document that states the SPECIFIC ways you will help the company (bring new clients, improve collections by using your new process). Having X number of years of experience or a certain degree is not enough anymore. Companies today want you to be able to demonstrate to them that you will bring value.

2. In order to have the insight to send a impact letter, you have to gather significant levels of research on the firm you want to work for. You do that by talking to people that are in that industry, or used to be a client of that company, or an ex-employee. Someone in the know.

3. To find the people described in #2, you have to get "warm intros" from the people you know, and they know, etc. You can also subscribe to services like LinkedIn.com ($200 year) to get intros and connections. Start by asking your family, friends, neighbors, and the like for referrals.

4. When you get an interview with the targeted firm, you impress the heck out of them by asking very smart questions that clearly indicate you know their business like the back of your hand

This is a lot of work, but it works.

While this story may not be a highly corporate setting, I did find that in my most recent interview I brought a snack for the three people in the interview because it was the lunch hour and I wanted them to know that I appreciated them taking their lunch to interview me.

I placed the snacks on the table without calling too much attention to it. Within a minute or two the boss helped herself. After she would ask me a question or talk about something, I answered her . I did take the opportunity to talk about other skills that I thought would be of interest to them regarding my experience in teaching.

I did get the job and the secretary told me that the boss loves to eat and that I won her over with the snack.

When the boss called me to offer the job, she told me that I really knew how to sell myself.

I love this story. It's a great example of what can work in landing a new job, and it's not always what you would expect.

For example, I once landed a job after I took a half-dozen awards (plaques,etc.) I had won with previous employers to an interview. The decision-maker told me later that's what got me the offer

When I was interviewing for my current job, one of the interviewers voted to hire me because as a librarian, I had gone out of my way to help him find information on structural restoration of covered bridges. I didn't remember him, but he remembered me very favorably.

Sometimes you are just meant to get a job.

CarolT,

Your experience in this situation is a great example of why it's so important for job seekers to differentiate them- selves (in some way) from everyone else.

GM

What if you need income and are applying for a "per hour" puch the clock job?

How can you stand out in that situation?

Thank you for your reply.