We all have competition.  Hopefully, we all provide competition.  And we like to win, right?  I do.  This isn’t Little League where everyone gets a trophy for participating.  We eventually grow up and enter the “real world” with bills, family, and other responsibilities. 

It has been said that competition fosters innovation.  In other words, people work a little harder when they know they’re competing for a prize.  We’re all competing for something whether it’s someone’s attention or even a job. 

So, what are you doing to compete in today’s job market?  Here are a few suggestions for you:

Create a targeted plan of action.  Someone once quoted, “if you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?”  Having a targeted action plan with goals, steps to achieve those goals, and a completion status is a great tool for anyone to use who wants to see results.  Follow through with that action plan to the end.

Think differently.  You can’t do what you’ve always done.  Doing something the same way as before guarantees one thing: a consistent outcome.  But, that consistency doesn’t incorporate change. 

Accept change.  Change creates opportunity.  Without change, growth is inhibited.  Making just a small change in how you approach the job search could get you moving in a new direction quickly.

Find what fits you best.  Be authentic in your job search.  Hiring managers want to know that they’re hiring a person, not a personality.  Make sure that your personal brand represents your entire brand and keep it consistent.

Stay positive.  For anyone looking for a new job (currently employed or unemployed), staying positive is crucial.  Spend time with the positive influences in your life: your friends, family, even pets.  Sometimes, pets are the best because they’re always happy to see you, seem to listen intently to every word you say, and have eyes that say “hey, I get it. What can I do to make you feel better?”  On the flipside of this, try to distance yourself from the negative influences – some people can use negativity to their advantage, pushing harder than ever.  But for most, negative influences simply add to the doom and gloom.

Be the best.  I think Abraham Lincoln summed it up when he said, “whatever you are, be a good one.”  Be the best at everything you do.  If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, be the best job seeker on the planet.  Network with others, learn about job opportunities, and build your personal brand and credibility.  Unemployment could be the hardest job you’ll ever have, but don’t let that discourage you!

These are just a few suggestions to get things kick-started.  Please feel free to add your own insight to this post with your own comments.  I would certainly value your opinions and views on this subject.  In the meantime, the invitation to connect is open.  As always, thanks for reading.

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