How to Multi-Task While Searching For A Job

Time is of the essence - here's how to get it done efficiently.

While watching a student on campus one day I witnessed "the ultimate" in multi-tasking.

The student was roller-blading (getting exercise) - to class (quick transportation) - with his shirt off (getting a tan) - listening to his assignment that he had downloaded into his ipod (audio-learning) - AND - he was eating a sandwich - all at the same time (alright, probably not a great way to eat while exercising - but doable).

My thought was, "Why can't job seekers do the same multi-tasking while they prepare for their job search and interviews?" Answer, "They can!"

Most people today are pressed for time for one reason or another - families having to be transported; appointments to get to; errands to run; waiting for service - car, beauty, medical, standing in lines. These are the perfect opportunities to multi-task your job search.

The fact is that the more you prepare and work on knowing your product - YOU - the more you will be comfortable with the idea of presenting yourself. What better way than to hear yourself or others telling you about yourself than through your ipod or other listening device? Downloading products - not music this time - but preparation products make perfect sense.

Working out in the gym a quiet, mindless time to watch some bad tv or you could be working on your points and what makes you unique - Branding Yourself - while walking on that treadmill or riding that recombinant bike.

Walking is a good time to get in some quiet thinking time. A perfect time to do some of the exercises that require you to delve deep into your thoughts to come up with examples and stories of past experiences - listening to your product on downloads.

One of the challenges of the job search in this economy is demonstrating your uniqueness. How do you differ yourself from the woman or man who walked through the door to interview one hour ago?

It is necessary for you to take the time to think about what makes you unique or what added-value you bring, and then be able to articulate what that uniqueness is.

This is a major stumbling block for most people. Most people dislike or are uncomfortable talking about themselves - bragging. Even the most articulate of candidates become bumbling communicators when asked to "Tell me about yourself."

Here's a chance to change your thinking and take action so that you begin to think of this as preparation to "sell yourself" as you would sell a product. Becoming comfortable with the idea of "selling yourself" or letting those you're talking to know what you have to offer as a member of their team will make a huge difference in your job search results.

It is imperative that you know what the unique properties your product, YOU have to offer. Consumers (in this case hiring managers/interviewers) have a choice about which product they choose and it is your job to make sure they have all the facts about you so that they can make the decision based on objective data and information and not "gut feelings" about the way you look.

An example of what your prep time with your downloads would be is to go through some steps and some thinking.

You can determine your uniqueness and where you should focus your attention by doing some fundamental preparation. The first step in this process is to recognize your strengths. These strengths are the areas where you do especially well.

Think about previous performance appraisals - what was said or written about you? This may take a little contemplation on your part. What are your strengths? What would your colleagues or ex-bosses say about you?

- Consider the experiences and skills you have that would be required in the kind of profession you are seeking. For instance, in a technical profession the focus would been on languages, programs, and platforms, etc.

- Soft skills are transferrable, you can take them with you to any position you hold. Give some thought to those skills in which you stand out, those that are referred to as the "soft skills." Communication and people skills, or your time-management and project-management skills, or your ability to form strong relationships, or your power to persuade others are examples of these skills.

- Finally, think of the personal qualities that make you unique. Perhaps you never miss deadlines, or maybe you are eager to do above and beyond what is requested, or possibly you have a fantastic attitude. (Don't dismiss these traits--many people have been fired for negative personal traits rather than for lack of know-how).

This is an example of what you can accomplish and what you achieve when you download products that will give you the motivation and steps to take to identify your uniqueness.

Products are available to assist you while you carry out your daily routine. These products can make your preparation easy, less painful, and even enlightening - and you can have all this and stay in shape or get organized at the same time.

Isn't technology a great tool?

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