A person who knows how to get things done is in possession of a highly marketable skill. The ability to complete complex tasks or projects is a skill that most every employer can, and will, use. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Because the real skill is not just the ability to “get things done,” but the ability to get things done right.

As in, completely. All the “I’s” dotted; all the “T’s” crossed. Soup to nuts – done. Correctly. According to specifications.

If “gitt’n ‘er done” is not among your strong suits, don’t despair – help is a simple “To-Do” list away. That’s right, the proverbial task list. Amazing how those little buggers work. Well, if you do them right (not like the one shown that I found here).

Legendary sales trainer Zig Ziglar tells a story about what he calls the “Day Before Vacation” attitude. He illustrates how much people can actually get done the day before they leave for vacation. Why? Because they have tons of stuff to accomplish and only a single day to get it all finished. The solution? Plan and Prioritize. Put it on a list. Lay out the most efficient way to get it all done.

First, the Post Office. Then, the bank. Drop the dogs at the kennel. Pick up the dry cleaning. You get the idea. The result is that someone who is mostly average at getting things done turns into Larry the Cable Guy on steroids. Git ‘r Done!!

To-Do lists can be fantastic tools. They can also create the illusion that you are actually doing something when you’re not (see picture above). I’ve know people who spend most of their time making lists, rearranging lists, collating lists – essentially, managing the lists. That, of course, is not so good. However, creating a prioritized To-Do list that outlines the critical details that must be addressed and completed can dramatically impact your daily performance.

Using a task list while you look for a job is a great place to practice (if you fail, you only have to explain it to your significant other). Start the week with a Priority List – things I must accomplish this week regardless of the obstacles I may encounter. Think through the details and include them on the list so you don’t overlook anything important. Then, each day, review your Priority List and add any additional items that you need to do that day. Just as you would on the day before your vacation, put them into a logical sequence that will make them easy to accomplish. Anything you don’t complete today goes on tomorrow’s list. Finally, keep all of your notes in a small notebook and you will not only keep a record of everything, but you’ll ensure that nothing slips through the cracks that you should have completed.

In your job search, be specific with your task list. Don’t put something general like “Look for job” on your list. Write down the details of the things you must do. 1) Complete resume revisions. 2) Make the following phone calls (list the people and their numbers – in order of priority). 3) See these companies (list by name and prioritize by geography to make them easy to get to). 4) Send follow-up notes to these people (list specifically).

Ultimately, you can get very good at using a To-Do List, and the side benefit is that it can become a huge asset for you in the workplace.

If you’re job hunting, chances are you have been scouring every reputable publication, in print as well as online, for valuable, potentially employment-earning tips, tricks, and tactics to put to good use if you’re one of the lucky few to score an interview. In this economy and given the widespread job loss across the country, if you’re given the chance to knock the socks off of a potential employer, you know very well that you may not have many other chances. So with a ‘time is of the essence’ attitude, you’ve most likely been searching for any and all information you can get your hands on in order to convince your interviewer that you’re just the person they’ve been looking for.

While business experts have been forth-coming with their abundant resources and lessons from the trade, it is very easy to take all of the information being supplied to you and apply it a little too vigorously. Being prepared for an interview is certainly a step in the direction of employment; it’s very important to know what kind of questions you will be asked and how you will be expected to answer. However, being prepared is something very different from being an automaton, which could happen if you are focusing too much on the grocery list of tips you picked up the night before on your latest Google search for ‘how to get the job.’

Through the time I have spent filling out job applications and sending out resumes I have come to know one thing about my self in the workforce—If I get the chance to be interviewed for a position I am seeking, I know I will land that job. That is the way it has been since I was asked in for my first job interview that led me to my first job right out of high school and the outcome has never been anything different. I don’t have any in-depth analysis of why this is or any knowledge of the underbelly of the business world; the only thing that I kept in mind during an interview is the fact that this company is interviewing me, not quizzing me on what I had learned while preparing for this moment.

The fondest interview memory I have is from the second job I have ever had; when I was interviewing for a position at a book store. I have been a constant reader all of my life. I have always seen books as a reward; either they were pumping me full of knowledge and intellect or they were providing new and exciting lives for me to live in for a little while, so naturally one of my first jobs was working at a book store. While I knew a great deal about the company, as well as what that company expected of me as an employee, and what that interviewer was expecting from me during the interview, I never lost who I was during the interview process. I was courteous, respectful, answered the questions I was asked exactly as I was supposed to, and was do my best to wow the pants off of the person who was conducting the interview by asking follow-up questions to the duties and responsibilities that were being outlined for me..and then I was asked about who my favorite authors were, and that is when I shined through and through. I never tucked who I was away for the event and as I listed the authors I so frequently read, admire, and cherish, that is the moment I knew I landed the job since right after we finished talking about our favorite authors, my second interview was conducted right there on the spot and the next day I received a call letting me know that the job was mine.

The key to any person-to-person exchange, whether a job interview, business contact, or acquaintance is to unapologetically be yourself. You can read as many interview preparation articles you can absorb in one sitting but the part of the interviewer that is going to stand out for the person conducting the interview is when you show them what kind of person you are and how valuable you would be to their company.

I’m sure by now that many of you heard about the concept of branding. You are told that you have to do it and where to do it. No one really tells you what it is and how to create your brand both on-line and off-line. I will introduce you to some concepts of personal branding that you can use on social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as by having your own blog.

What is Branding?

Let us start off by examining what branding is. Branding is simply how you are perceived by others. Companies spend millions of dollars each year in advertising to try to create a certain image for their product. We know the constant barrage of commercials trying to create a favorable image emphasizing the quality of the product and associating the product with popular causes and famous people. On the personal level famous people have public relations professionals who find ways to get them publicity through personal appearances and being mentioned in the media to build their brand.

Branding and the Job Hunt

When looking for a job, branding comes into play in several areas. First, you have to create a favorable image on your resume. The resume should highlight your key competencies and examples that demonstrate that you have those skills. Second, you have to develop a pitch which creates an image to others that you have these skills and abilities. Finally you have to convey these competencies in compelling way on a personal interview. How do you begin to become aware of your personal brand? I have some exercises that will help you get started.

1. Write down three personal attributes that you want to others to be aware of about you.
2. Ask people who know you best to write down what they perceive as your top three attributes or key skills. How close do people perceive you to the way you want to be perceived?
3. If there is a mismatch, what do you need to do to change their perception of you?

Branding and Perception

Changing how people perceive you is a tricky proposition. You may be perceived with one group in a very positive way, but not with another. For example, your peers may perceive you as a great friend, fun loving and easy to get along with. But, these same dominant attributed may not be seen as positive by others who are evaluating you for a leadership position. So, if you are presenting yourself, for a higher management position, presenting yourself as strong and decisive may be important, thus the brand you try to project needs to developed to be in sync with your goals and aspirations. The help of a skilled image coach could help you. This is where 360 comes in, with a pool of experts in almost every professional field, ready to help you with its one on one Career Action Planning.

What Makes a Brand?

Let’s look at what makes up a brand. I will borrow heavily from a book “Be Your Own Brand” by David McNally and Karl Speak. A personal brand is what we are committed and what we stand for. It has to do with how we present that to the outside world and how we communicate our beliefs and abilities to people through what we say and our actions. When we are looking for a job we try to build our brand through our resume and our self presentation. Self presentation on a job search is what we say to people we meet during an event, friends and a one on one informational and contact development interview. It is also involved in what we write in cover letters and what we write about ourselves on on-line social media.

There are three characteristics of a strong brand:

1. Distinction

   First they are distinctive. That is there is something unique about that brand that differentiates it from other brands. Too many resumes read like job descriptions. They are boilerplate. When I read these resumes that people bring into me I apply the “so what” litmus test. When I say”wow!” then i know that it meets the distinctiveness criteria.

2. Relevancy

   The second criteria is that it is relevant. Other people have to consider it important. What you say about yourself must be in line with what is needed in the job market right now. So if you waited on tables or were on the events committee of your sorority, does that make a case that you will be a great financial analyst? Get rid of things that are irrelevant on your resume. Fill the resume with items that demonstrate your competencies as it relates to the job you seek. You can find out what is relevant through talking to people in your field, either through one on one or events networking. Find out what are the hot buttons in your profession or industry an address them in your self-presentation.

3. Consistency

   The third characteristic of a strong brand is consistency. The same message should be on all your resume, on line social media and in person. Successful politicians were able to deliver a consistent message throughout their campaigns so that voters got feeling as to what to expect from the candidate. You need to build a consistent message of competency in your field. When you put together your profiles on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter be sure you are delivering the same message. The personal pitch you develop for your networking and job interviews should be the same that is on your resume and social media portals.

Please consider buying this book: “Career Distinction” by William Arruda and Kristen Dixson. The book has a number of guided exercises which help you get in touch with who you are, what you have to offer the world and how to get that across to other people. And don’t forget, when it comes to truly distinguishing yourself from the crowd, 360 is there to get you noticed, and get you hired.

So you were let go from a job you gave years of your life to and more energy than you’d like to admit due to your company cutting corners and needing to let valuable, hardworking employees go. While you’ve been searching high and low for a job to replace your last, no prospects are turning up and as more and more companies politely tell you that they have no available jobs to offer you, your mood continuously plummets.

While it is not only understandable, but expected to lose your drive and take on a defeated attitude when searching for a job that you believe will never come, it is important to recover from your poor spirits quickly. As cliché as it may sound, you never know when the perfect opportunity is going to come your way, but if you’re not there to take it, it’s going to become someone else’s perfect opportunity and with the way the job market is now, there is hardly time to waste before the opportunity slips from your grasp.

When you conduct your life, especially your job hunt, with a defeated attitude, you will unconsciously go about looking for a job without applying the effort needed to sealing the position. When you go in for an interview with a prospected employer, the moment you begin to think that there is no way you will be hired for the position you’re interviewing for, you will immediately stop trying as hard as you would if you thought there was no way that you could be turned down for the position. Attitude is everything and if you walk into an interview confident and sure of yourself and your ability to perform the job you are applying for, chances are that the person interviewing you for the job will pick up on that self-confidence and will at the very least, ask you back for a second interview and at the most, land you a job that you will excel in.

This current job market has produced some of the most predatory job seekers. The one to watch out for most is the “Career Cougar”.

Ideally as you finish up college or an internship to enter the workplace you would go up against other new grads for corporate roles. The new economic downturn has now produced more top talent than ever who are actively seeking employment opportunities. More than likely you will find yourself fiercely competing with the Career Cougar for the same job openings.

If you are going head to head with the Career Cougar you might find it useful to learn more about who she is exactly and why she is such a threat for that job opening.

By definition, you are half her age + seven. You are recently educated and fresh faced, but the Career Cougar has years of successful work experience under her fashionable belt. It will be difficult to compete with her on many levels.

Career Cougars present themselves well, are hip dressers with a classic business sense. They exude complete professional confidence and can do anything you can do, only much better. Her professional reference list is a mile long and she is not afraid to use her contacts or pull strings to get what she wants.

Corporate America loves the Career Cougar because she can accomplish multiple projects in record time, coupled with exceptional results on a consistent basis. She can go up against anyone and everyone when she feels she’s right. She will almost always win any business battle because she is the Career Cougar.

The Career Cougar is financially stable, mentally independent and looking for a new young hip career role, one that gives professional satisfaction over the paycheck. She is street smart with an amazing resume and can sell herself into any position she so desires.

The Career Cougar is a rare breed and only makes up a small percentage of the current work place with men still out numbering her statistically in high rankings. She is underpaid for what she is capable of.

Companies love to hire the Career Cougar knowing she will get the job down, is just now passed her child bearing years and has a sixth business sense about her.

How do you plan to compete with the Career Cougar for jobs?

“Outwit Outlast Outplay” and get job offer…

The dynamics of watching complete strangers compete for large cash prizes on reality shows like Survivor Island can be similar to competing for the job opening you really want.

And here’s why:

Immunity Challenge:

The immunity idol in Survivor keeps you in the game. And Interview Rounds dictate whether you move on in the interview process. Every opportunity you have to interview by phone or face to face influences whether you move on to the next round.

Reward Challenge:

During the interview process it could become clear the position you’re interviewing for isn’t necessarily the right fit for you. If you’ve made a good impression on the hiring manager this can still be a good way to build a professional relationship internally within the company. Even if you aren’t the right match, having this new bond will allow you a foot in the door for the next opportunity that comes up. So always send a “thank you” note, even when you don’t get the job. This will help you make a good lasting impression and keep you in top of mind.

Alliances:

Establishing trust, building rapport and adding value in a record time keep Survivor Island players in the game longer and build strong alliances. During the interview process you also have just a short period of time to make an impression on the interviewer. Since the interview will make or break you in the interview process you need to build professional credibility fast. This is a real skill to master, but if you are effective at it, it’s one that will keep you ahead of the curve and keep you in the process.

Tribal Merge:

More than likely you will find yourself interviewing with multiple internal managers. More often than not, job offers aren’t extended on the stop any longer. It’s important to build good professional rapport with each and every one of them of the perspective hiring managers you meet. Your goal is to have everyone recommend you for hire.
Don’t forget to be nice to the receptionist who greets you, smile at those you pass in the hall and don’t do anything publically that might discredit you. You never know who might be observing your behavior and influence a hiring decision so being polite and treating everyone with respect is a good rule of thumb.

Voted Out at Tribal Council:

You have been eliminated from the hiring process. Always try to ask what you could have done different or what the deciding factor was on why you were not selected. Be careful with how you ask and despite disappointment sound positive. Follow up with a correspondence to everyone that you interviewed with and to the recruiter or human resources rep who set it up.
Keep in mind, not everyone will get the job, so don’t take this personally and move on in a positive manner. There are more opportunities waiting for you this won’t be the last one and keeping the momentum going will keep you moving ahead in the career search game.

Million Dollar Cash Prize:

The winner of Survivor gets a million dollar cash price. As an applicant you are competing for the Job Offer. You want to win the job offer complete with salary, bonus, 401K, health benefits and other employment perks. Keeping your focus on what you ultimately want will help you stay focused and on track. Don’t get side tracked with petty stuff like lunch breaks, hours, etc. during the process. You don’t want to come across as nitpicky and lose out on the opportunity. Keep your eye on the prize. As a “reality show” junkie I’m prepared for my next job hunt. Watching different personality types thrown onto desert islands, forced to build rapid relationships has helped tremendously. You are competing with many other contestants (candidates) for the immunity idol (interview rounds). If you can out-interview, out- relationship build and out-perform in the interview rounds you may just win the game (job offer).

What reality show are you planning to play to win?