Common sense job search approaches – thanks to mom and dad.

By Dawn Bugni, special for WWDS, of The Write Solution, and is a certified resume writer.

Somewhere along the way, I’ve turned into a conglomeration of my parents. I find their words coming out of my mouth, regularly. That’s not such a bad thing for my clients. Successful job search strategies employ good old-fashioned courtesy and common sense behaviors and suddenly I’m full of them.

Mom: It doesn’t cost anymore to be nice.
dawn When job searching, you never, and I mean NEVER, know who will have inside information or when a job opportunity will appear. For example, your drycleaner has insight into who stopped cleaning three-piece suits and is now only bringing in polo shirts or vice versa. That tidbit of information could be a lead to an unpublished job opening. Gee. You networked, with someone completely outside your scope of “normal networking”, and got a solid job lead. Know how it happened? You took a few minutes every week to build a relationship with someone. You were nice. Being nice always applies in networking, but those are usually planned interactions. Being nice all time ensures you won’t miss those impromptus, surprise occurrences.

Dad: You get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
How does THAT segue into a job search? It’s all about the approach you take when trying to get something you need. You can call human resources and demand to know where they stand in their hiring process as your follow-up strategy (vinegar), or you can call and reiterate interest. Do it in the spirit to ensure every thing was received without difficulty and to be sure there isn’t anything else you can do to help them in the process – making it all about them (honey). You can demand people do things your way (vinegar) or your can point out how your way benefits them (honey). Both approaches work; your choice as to which one to use. But which one do you think takes you further?

Mom: Poop or get off the pot.
Well, actually, mom was less politically correct in her delivery and I risk disinheritance in sharing that wisdom so publicly and giving her credit (sorry mom), but it’s too important not to share. I find myself sharing some version of this philosophy with resume clients entrenched in the job search process every day.

What I hear most from clients are self-imposed roadblocks and “rules” prohibiting forward movement. Clients tell me every day they’re having difficulty in the job search and blame the current market. True, that is a factor; however further probing uncovers a lack of computer skills, specialty training, computer access, available cell phone minutes, inability to download free software, the list goes on; and worse yet, no motivation to resolve the problems. I start offering suggestions: take a class, here’s a Web site for an online courses, skip a latte or a lunch out to pay for non-company sponsored training, find a landline, go to the library, ask a friend, well, you get the idea … People are reluctant to go outside their comfort zone. No one said job searching would be easy or comfortable. It takes effort

Each suggestion to help my clients move forward stems from my mother’s words. Either you’re job hunting or you’re not – poop or get off the pot. You can either put energy into whining or you can put energy into removing obstacles and getting things done. And seriously, don’t you think positive energy, creative problem resolution and forward movement translates into a more successful search?

Amazing – basic, simple advice drilled into me since birth and now helping clients build a successful career, well, er, ah, several years later. Best of all, this wisdom not only applies to the job search. You can use it in everyday life. In these difficult times a little more nice and a little more “umph” couldn’t hurt.

Dawn S. Bugni is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and owns The Write Solution. She holds a BS in Business Management, is a former professional recruiter and has more than 25 years in corporate customer service management.