I kind of invented the title, though there is some truth to it. In early February, I received a call from Paul, a friend and former coworker in Nashville TN. He just lost his job, didn't want to move, and was asking for direction. Shared with him all that I've learned / heard shared with VCN groups. Paul had worked in sales of networking infrastructure to corporations, a company called Fortinet.

Yesterday, I heard he had landed a job. I asked him to share his process so I might share it with you. I hope his words help several of you.

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Collins:

Thanks for the message.

I would say everyone looking for a job should do several things:

1. Get the word out - don't be bashful or ashamed that you need a new job. Tell everyone at church, your existing business partners, friends, neighbors, your congressman, everyone. Network with everyone. Put it on Linked-in, facebook, myspace or create a person web site.

2. Look in new places - my new job is in a different segment of the same industry. I have always worked for manufacturers and this is a reseller job. It is not exactly the same and in many ways it is better.

3. Your new full time job is finding a full time job! Set a daily quota for calls or resumes. My goal was 10 resumes and or calls everyday.

4. Stay Positive. When you hear someone say no, ask if they know of any other jobs. In my experience, most people want to help.

5. Follow-up. If someone gives you a lead, make sure you thank them and get back to them on the status. If it does not work out, just tell them it was not an idea match and ask if they know of anything else. I had one friend provide 5 - 10 leads to me just because I continued to follow-up and ask for more.

People need to know you are serious. You are not on a vacation. You are not going to enjoy your time off. You are going to find a new job because this is a crisis. If you have a severance package, search as if it expires on Friday.

Most jobs will have scores of applicants. Most of those applicants will treat the job search like a hobby. Be professional and put in the extra 10% effort.

This is my story. I think I will copy it to a note of FB.

Hope all is well with you

Paul