Lost Application

I just got finished reading an article titled "Where, Oh Where, Has My Application Gone?" published in The New York Times that affirmed everything I have come to learn about job seeking in today's current economy. Although the Internet has become a life line for many of us, traditional protocol is going out the window because people are investing their time in the WRONG resources.

With an average of 1,000 resumes submitted for each job posted there is a good chance you wont even make the first cut. If you are one of the lucky ones who does get a glance or two, you still may not get anywhere as its hard to determine a personality from a standard resume.

Instead of spending all of your time submitting resumes through online site and desperately waiting for a response, dare to be bold and contact the person hiring. Most companies want someone to come to them -- here is your big chance!

Although this concept is quite scary for shy individuals like myself, I can tell you from experience that the only interviews I have obtained recently have been because I got a hold of someone. People want to hire an individual they can trust, and if you know a mutual contact they would be crazy not to hire you.

Until next time, get out there and mingle!

Everything Happens For A Reason

We have been raised in a society that honors "tragedy" and human suffering, however no situation can be a tragedy unless we label it as that.

When I look back on some of the worst events in my life, I can honestly say that with 100% certainty those events were in my life to make me stronger or to encourage me to go a different route. We don't have to claim our failures any more than we do our successes. It's not personal. Its just feedback.

So you lost your job, your house, your spouse, however instead of trying to go back and change the un-changable, what did you gain???? The song "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts is a perfect example of what I am trying to convey here....sometimes we have to go through a lot of shit before we can have exactly what we want (otherwise we may not appreciate it).

Daily Challenge: I encourage us all to welcome chaos with open arms, as it is nothing more than a vehicle to get us where we want to be in life.

Is It True?

If you are anything like me, you have a tendency to create meaning out of nothing and lets face it your career path reflects it! I have had the unique pleasure of being let go from every corporate job Ive had since college, and have come to realize that outside every closed door, possibility is always presenting itself. Instead of embracing change/possibility, we often times mope around and feel sorry for ourselves, while making everyone else around us MISERABLE!

In the event that you are having trouble moving past your current state of limitation, I invite you to put yourself in check by answering four simple questions outlined by Byron Katie in a book titled "Loving What Is"...

1). Is it true?
Yes, you got let go from your job, however is it true that you are lazy and none will ever hire you again?

2). Can you absolutely know its true?
Outside of the "shitty committee" inside your head, can you absolutely 100% prove that you are lazy and no one will ever hire you again? If you are able to obtain validation, I strongly suggest that you question your source. You may appear to be lazy when unmotivated or challenged, however you may be a whole new person when doing something you love to do.

3). How do you react when you believe that thought?
Example: In the past, Ive ascribed meaning around losing my job and somehow convinced myself that because of one negative experience I was doomed for the rest of my professional career. When I convinced myself of the lack and limitation, I heightened my fears and got nothing more than lack and limitation. When you are ready to rid yourself of the drama in your life, this is a POWERFUL question to consider!

4). Who would you be without that thought?
Example: I have come to believe that I am a success outside all of my setbacks, because in life we are not defined by what happens to us, rather how we respond. We all have traumatic pasts, however I encourage you to think about who you are outside all of the drama and chose another legacy for yourself.

Whose Life Are You Living?

I was recently talking to a neighbor about working out, and she mentioned that she used to always exercise to impress men, but has since started working out for her own health and has been able to maintain long-term success. As I was processing what she was saying, it became quite clear to me that as social beings we often care more about what others want for us than what we want for ourselves.

Although the people in our lives only want the best for us, to truly live an authentic life, one must follow the dreams/aspirations that are unique to oneself. To listen to other peoples ideas of what you should/shouldn't be doing is really only delaying the inevitable of you tapping into your own unique brilliance.

Example: Before my dad found an interest in Psychology, he was FORCED into going to Dental school as that is what his father thought he should do. Although he is absolutely brilliant, he flopped in Dental school as that wasn't his calling.

I encourage you to question whose life you are REALLY living & if you are happy living out someone else's dream, continue on your path. If not, do something different. Only you can make the change & break free from the mold that everyone else has put you in.

Set Goals & Hold Yourself Accountable

I recently had the opportunity to re-connect with a friend that I met in my undergraduate studies at ASU, and it became quite clear that the only difference between us here and now was that she set goals and held herself accountable, and I did just the opposite. Both proponents of higher education, we shared a vision of getting our Masters and teaching at a University. Four years later she had completed her Masters and what did I have to show for it? In that moment, I decided that I was going to set goals and hold myself accountable. Life works in mysterious ways as the very next day I took a class on goal setting at AWEE. Here are the Top 3 concepts that I learned...

1). We all have reasons for are inability to set goals (whether its fear of failure, a un-supportive social network, limited thinking, or our SAD stories), however the better you get to know yourself, the more likely you are to move beyond those fears and become the success that you already are.

2). A dragon or obstacle in goal setting is helpful as it often times propels us to the next level. This may be a nagging friend/family member, or a recent lay off, however without that dragon you may not be motivated to do something completely different (as we often times don't take action until life gets unbearable).

3). All goals should be S.M.A.R.T in that they should be SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACTION-ORIENTED, REALISTIC & TIMED. When will you write your resume/apply online? What action steps will you take to get a job? How will you measure your progress (i.e. obtaining interviews)? Are your aspirations realistic to your skill set? What is your time frame for finding a job?

Procristinate Later!

Time management is one of the MOST important aspects to master when unemployed, as many people (myself included) are used to a specific schedule and are unable to regulate themselves when additional flexibility is provided. After taking a class titled "Its About Time For You:Time Management Methods" at the Fresh Start Women's Foundation here is what I learned about time management...

1). Scheduling ahead of time is MANDATORY. Create daily tasks just as you would if you were working in a corporate setting. The better prepared you are, the less likely you will be tempted by distractions present at home.

2). Customize a schedule around what works for you. If you are used to going to bed late, and waking up late, don't get frustrated when you cant wake up early.

3). Schedule to-do's by the time of day or order of importance. If the task takes less than 2 minutes, get it done right away.

4). Utilize 3 separate calenders - A daily calender (usually ordered by time), a weekly calender (all of the to-do's that don't have a specific time frame to be completed), and a 6 month-year calender that encompasses all of items that need to be completed somewhere down the road.

5). If you are anything like me and have a hard to estimating "time frames", increase the time allotted by 50%, giving yourself wiggle room in the event that your task takes longer than anticipated.

Persevere with Conviction!

A family friend recommend that I pick up a book titled "The Wealthy Spirit" as I make my transition through unemployment, uncertainty and growth. I thought I would easily be able to pick up a copy at my local bookstore , however unbeknownst to me, a lesson in perseverance would present itself. To make a long story short, I had to call over 9 bookstores to finally get my hands on the book.

You may be asking how does this apply to me? Most people looking for employment do not have the conviction or perseverance to continue going when the doors of opportunity close around them. Instead of taking control of the situation and asserting themselves, they sit around waiting for their dreams to happen on someone else's accord.

My father used to always say "in life there are those people who are in the game to play, and those who are simply there to warm the benches." Are you the type of person who hears one "no" and gets down on your luck, or are you a fighter that will go the distance to play in the game of life? When was the last time that you fought for what you really wanted?

Sell YOURSELF!

I recently attended a workshop hosted by Scottsdale Job Network in which the presenter assured us that whether we wanted to be in sales or not, we were ALL in the business of selling ourselves. After much consideration, I am convinced that we have all become so fearful of "tooting our own horn" that we tense up when asked to converse with others. My advice is that we move beyond intimidation, and find what makes us unique. A 15 second elevator speech is highly recommended and typically sounds something like this......

Hi, my name is Aja Ware. My skills are in Marketing, Communications and Event Planning. I have a degree in Communication. In my most recent role as Marketing Coordinator, I planned trade shows, wrote RFP's and assisted the sales department with incoming calls (3-5 job responsibilities that allowed you to shine). I am looking for a part-time position (specific type of position?) working for a company that is ecologically friendly with 30-50 employees (outline size of company). I could write the book on uneventful careers (or whatever your story is), however there are few people who have the tenacity, drive, or passion that I have (personalize what makes you DIFFERENT!).

Gain Closure

Losing a job often times deteriorates professional relationships, as our emotions run wild and we act in ways that are down right embarrassing! Whether you are like me and blubber every time they cut the cord, or get hostile, I would strongly encourage that you put your pride aside and wave the flag of truce. The benefits you will get from closing a half opened door will far out way the negatives.

When deciding whether or not to seek closure, here are a few question to ask yourself (based on my experiences)...

1). Was the business relationship strictly business, or did it have a human component?

2). Did you manager get to see your best work? Could they vouch for your contribution to their organization?

3). Would you consider working for this person in the future?

4). Was your job eliminated to cut back expenses?

5). Were you miserable at work and destined for bigger and better things?

If you answered "yes" to any of the 5 questions above, I would strongly suggest that you take initiative and seek out contact with that individual. Apologize for what you did wrong (if anything) and leave the relationship on good terms.

Example: I have left things unresolved in the past, and although it would have been uncomfortable to wave the flag of truce, the damage done was irrevocable.

Think Outside Your Cubicle

In today's economy, everyone has the opportunity to re-invent themselves and a new job may be just what you need to propel yourself in a new direction. We often get so stuck in our own limited thinking about our backgrounds and appropriate careers, however the truth in the matter is that we are not one dimensional drones, rather we are multi-faceted individuals who have the capacity to re-invent ourselves constantly. With the average worker between the age of 18 and 38 changing careers over 10 times, there is no time like the present to consider what path to take next.

Example: Move beyond thinking that you can ONLY be an Accountant as that is what you have thus far, and start considering ALL valuable options. You may be an Accountant 40 hours a week, however consider what you love to do once 5 o'clock hits and you flee that cubicle? Are you into planning parties for family/friends? Have you always wanted to learn more about design?

Daily Practice: STOP! telling yourself and everyone around you about the lack of jobs currently available. Dust off your pride and do whatever it takes to survive.

Surround Yourself Around Positive People

Lets face it, we all have people in our lives that would rather see the glass half empty vs. half full, however I would encourage you to look at your own support circle and contemplate whether the people around you are going to lift you up or bring you down?

Being unemployed or uninspired is hard enough as it is! Save the drama for a rainy day & focus on finding individuals who believe in you and think your ideas are golden! You are so much more than the circumstances that are happening in your life:)

Know Your Worth

I was talking with a friend of mine this afternoon about work environments and the interesting people that you share work spaces with, and it became crystal clear in that moment that unless you see the value that you personally bring to an organization, no one else can or will. Even if you are working as a bagger, maid, porta-potty cleaner or some other position that is often times minimized, you have VALUE and its your job to be the best at what you do!! After all, think of all the countless people who would be inconvenienced, lonely or lost without your services!

On a more serious note, are you the type of person who is beat down or diminished daily but is thankful to have a job? Several friends and family members of mine have worked for manipulators that belittle them constantly and then try and convince them that they are lucky to have a job in today's economic conditions? Are you really lucky to have THAT job, or would you rather take a cut in pay and save on years of expensive therapy :)

Explore Your Passions

Moving beyond the specific attributes that you are looking for in a work environment (i.e. style of boss, flexibility, earning potential, etc) I encourage you to take one step further and figure out what makes YOU tick. I know several people are in a field that simply pays the bills, however my wish is that we will all someday have the courage/commitment to figure out what we love to do, and get paid doing it.

If you are anything like me, and have ignored what makes you thrilled, I encourage you to consider the following questions outlined in a brilliant article titled "How to Discover Your Passion"....

1). What do you do in your free time? Does this activity make you want to jump out of bed in the morning?

2). What stimuli around you makes you happy?

*Books, TV Shows, Newspaper Articles, Conversations, Animals, etc. We all react to stimulus different, and its important to understand what makes YOU tick.

3). What are you really good at?

4). What specific qualities do you posses that others may not?

5). Who do you admire & why?

6). Do you know anyone that is doing what you would LOVE to be doing?

*If so, see if you can set up an informational interview!

7). What is it that keeps you from doing what you love?

*Do you have a fear of failure, an unsuccessful past, comments from those around you? Whatever it is, try and move beyond those fears and live the authentic life you deserve!

8). How could YOU make this world a better place?

9). What items do you have in your home that make you happy?

*Do you love your garden, photographs or specific nick-knacks?

Once you have identified your passions, contemplate if there is a way for you to explore what you love in a career or internship? Consider looking at job postings or summaries to get an idea for what you will be doing prior to applying. The more research you can do prior to considering ANY career, whether temporary or long-term the better off you will be.

Example: In school I absolutely loved marketing, however if I had the chance to explore the job responsibilities the way I did first hand, I probably would have run for the hills :) We have a tendency to glamorize "careers" however when we physically get in the trenches, we quickly change our minds and become unhappy.

Get Clarity

When people ask me what I want to do, I often shrug my shoulders, however the truth of the matter is that I do know what I want to do, I just don't know what form it will take (and to be frank with you, that's none of my BUSINESS as a very wise woman once taught me). At this time, these are my top 5 needs for a work environment:

• A socially conscious company - Are we making a difference?


• A environment that supports my belief that PEOPLE are more important than TASKS


• Laughter, Laughter and more Laughter (my mother once told me that I need to have joy in my career, otherwise I will look like 100 at the age of 50 from a scowling face)


• Creativity is the mother of all inventions. Work without creativity is stale.


• Flexibility

Even if YOU don't know what you want to do, what do you know about yourself for sure? Are you able to articulate your perfect environment?

If not, try completing the "Clarity Through Contrast" worksheet developed by Michael Losier in the book titled "The Law of Attraction." For those that are new to The Law of Attraction, click here for a tutorial of the Clarity Through Contract worksheet.

Take Responsibility For Your Part

Lets face it, as humans we love blaming our problems on other people, as its easier than looking at our own behavior and figuring out how we can prevent the situation from occurring in the future. Although it may be easy to blame someone else, you really aren't addressing the cause and will continue to have the same problems unless you change what it is about yourself that created the mess in the first place.

Example: In both jobs I worked, I didn't want to be there so although I was passionate at first, when the novelty of the situation wore off (as it always does), I was no longer able to sustain that passion and enthusiasm that got me the job in the first place.

Suggestion: Find an industry or company that you believe in, that way when you have a bad day or don't like a project you will be able to snap out of it easier, since you believe in the bigger picture.

What have you done in the past that got you to where you are now?

Find Your Support System

Since most jobs are found through who you know, find a few people who are talkers and can tell your story (no sad stories allowed, only uplifting stories that include possibilities and hope).

Example: Randy Pausch said in the Last Lecture that he had "hit the jackpot with his mother and father" and I too feel like I hit the jackpot when it comes to parents. My mother is in an industry in which she has a large base of successful women who see her regularly, and loves telling stories that relate to her family. How perfect is that? With 3 out of 4 people unemployed in our immediate family, you better believe my story is being told! The best thing about this form of advertising/publicity is that its free.

Success story: Since my mother told my story, I was able to get advice/direction from an amazing woman who I had never met before (but felt like she knew me through 12 years of stories).

Do you have someone who would be willing to tell your story about being unemployed or unhappy in your current position???

Welcome!

Hi All!

Welcome to my Blog! In today's economy, I am sure many of you are in the same spot that I am in - unemployed or uninspired. My vision for this blog is to help as many people as possible, all while logging my own successes and feedback (regardless of your situation, consider using the term feedback instead of failure because it is more positive and applicable).

My Background: I graduate from Arizona State University in 2005, and since then have had 2 professional jobs that were uninspiring and conflictual with my vision for my life (To make a difference in the lives of people & animals, while expanding my skill set and capabilities).

My Dream: Many of us have qualities that are unique to who we are, however we constantly set them aside, while we try to fit in the mold of other people's vision because lets face it, we are naive and don't know what else to do. In fact, the reason why I am able to articulate that scenario so well is because that is in fact ME in a nutshell.

Example: I am a person who loves learning and the process behind it. I have always been this way, and instead of listening to that part of myself that is thirsty for knowledge, I go and get myself 2 jobs in industries that I am not passionate about, and have little possibility for education and growth. To top it all off, I am shocked when both positions decide to lay me off? How silly is that? If anything, I should be on my knees bowing down to these people for setting me free from jobs I hated and had nothing to do with what I was interested in or my vision/purpose.