Fear

In my conversations with job seekers, I frequently see FEAR running their lives.  It manifests in:

• Fear of meeting new people
• Extreme introversion
• A depressed tone of voice
• Reticent physical body language
• Unproductive time spent worrying instead of doing
• Unwillingness to get out and work
• Lack of confidence
• Minimizing their accomplishments and achievements
• Fear of trying new strategies to achieve their goals
• Unwillingness to learn new skills and methods
• Worry about financial difficulties
• Hiding at home posting to job boards instead of getting out and meeting people

Fear is a universal problem and something that everyone experiences.  Our bodies are wired to experience fear in dangerous situations.  This is useful when it inspires a healthy caution in physically dangerous situations; however it is counterproductive when applied to much of our modern lives.  Allowed to reign free, fear is a poison which shuts down all our systems and is clear to observers.  The only fears that are healthy are those which our intellects leash in and manage and a secondly, a devout fear of God.  Earthly fear is a tool given to us by God; An alarm system.  Use it as such but don’t let it control your life.

Fear of God is a different story.  This is not trembling in a corner fear.  It is a healthy reverence and Awe of His power.  It is wonderfully empowering to release yourself to a Fear of God.   http://www.gotquestions.org/fear-God.html says the following about the Fear of God:

“For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe.

Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him.

Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him.

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshiping Him in awe.”

If we have released ourselves to true worship and fear of God, earthly fears become as nothing.  Faith allows us to release our earthly fears to God with the full knowledge that His plans for us are wise and beyond our imagining.  Empowered by Faith, we can overcome our earthly fears and live up to the potential that God has built into us.  It is easy to imagine God as a perfect being but somehow that does not always translate in our minds to the thought that His creations are perfect as well.  We are God’s favorite creations.  The workmanship of a perfect being.  How could we be anything other than perfect, according to His will?

The subject of fear has consumed the thoughts of wise thinkers through the ages.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.”
- Anne Frank

“Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.”
- Ralph Wlado Emerson

“Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom.”
- Marilyn Ferguson

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.”
- Marie Curie

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
- Marcus Aurelius

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.”
- H. Jackson Browne

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the things you think you cannot do.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.”
- Dorothy Thompson

“People living deeply have no fear of death.”
- Anais Nin

In closing, I encourage you to explore your behaviours, your self and your fears and your relationship with God during this difficult time.  Release your earthly fears to God and replace them with a healthy fear of Him, an Awe of his power, a consuming reverence.  Fill yourself with the Spirit of God and turn your earthly fears into power and enablement.  Be confident in two things:  One that you are the perfect creation of God and that, like a loving father, He will always love you, despite your transgressions.  Secondly that He has plans for his creation that oyu likely do not understand.  What is important it that you have Faith in him and do not depend upon your understanding.  If you empower yourself, in reverence, with God’s spirit, you can acheive anything that is in alignment with His will.

I truly wish you all the best of luck in your job searches and personal journeys.  If there is anything I can do to assist you, please let me know.

Yours in Service,
- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

God will provide

God will provide

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.

Psalm 34:10 NLT

Dear God, I know you will provide, but why don’t you provide until you provide?

Jewish saying

The empty basket

When Palestine was partitioned, Maltar and his family were stranded in Jerusalem. Daily his family read the Lord’s promises, such as those of Psalm 34. One day Maltar said, “Children, we finished the last of our food for breakfast. We have no money. We’ll tell this only to the Lord, and I’ll go out with this basket.” So they prayed around the empty basket.

Maltar went to the bank, but there was still no money coming through. As he turned to go, he saw a friend from his hometown in the line. He’d left before the worst troubles and banked his money in Jerusalem. “Maltar!” his friend cried. “What are you doing here?”

“We were on holiday in our small house in Jerusalem and weren’t able to get back home,” Maltar said.

“Then you must be having money problems. How are you managing?”

“Fine,” Maltar told him and left the bank.

His friend overtook him: “You can’t be fine, Maltar, with nine kids to feed.” He dropped a handful of bank notes into the basket.

The children, waiting at the gate, stared in wonder as Maltar returned with an overflowing basket.

Patricia St. John
in Finding God Between a Rock and Hard Place

David said, “Those who honor [God] will have all they need” (Psalm 34:9). Why not claim that promise today?

Adapted from Men of Integrity Devotional Bible with devotions from the editors of Men of Integrity, a publication of Christianity Today International (Tyndale, 2002), entry for May 13.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

Content copied from ‘God’s Daily Promises’ mailing list post from Tuesday May 5.  You can subscribe here: http://click.newsletters.leftbehindprophecyclub.com/eswhvztmz_esncrzhtc.html

Poll – Job Seeking Challenges

Please take this poll to help me understand what you are experiencing in the job market.  If you have anything else to add, please post a comment.

Thank You,

- Michael Korn, PMP

Open Networking – Secret #8 for our Job Search

Networking: “ – noun: A supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest” – Dictionary.com

There are a lot of theories about how to effectively network to aid with your job search. I happen to be a proponent of the approach called ‘Open Networking.’ Basically this means that I try to connect with as many people as possible as deeply as possible with the goal of expanding my reach and penetration into my target market. It doesn’t matter if I know these people. In fact, I find it is of more value to connect with people I don’t know than to re-connect with old acquaintances.

The basics of Open Networking can be summarized as follows:
- Communicate your networking strategy everywhere
- Offer value to your network
- Connect to anyone and everyone
- ‘Mine’ your network on a targeted basis to achieve your goals
- Do NOT SPAM your network
- Do NOT take undue advantage of your network or take them for granted

There are some excellent tools and tactics to assist in the open networking strategy:
- LinkedIn is the best resource I know of to manage your network connections
- Join open networking groups on LinkedIn such as ‘OpenNetworkers’ and ‘TopLinked’
- TopLinked has an associated website from which you can download and import a list of 40,000 Open Networkers who you can invite.
- Add ‘I accept all invites to your profile, email signature, web pages and all LinkedIn communications
- Any time you invite someone to connect on LinkedIn, customize the message. Be sure to include where you know them from, your networking strategy, your elevator pitch, your job search status and, most importantly, a compelling offer to assist the person you are connecting with.
- Whenever someone sends you a connection request and you accept, send them a customized response as described above.
- Participate actively in as many groups as possible. Make sure your signature has your standard message as described above and an invitation to connect.
- Never, ‘I Don’t Know’ anyone.

If you follow this strategy, you can expect the following benefits:
- Expand your network into the thousands of direct connections within weeks
- A larger network in LinkedIn will give you a broader reach. With a small network, you can only access a small portion of the 40M+ users on LinkedIn. As your network grows, you can reach a larger percentage of those people. That gives you a greater reach for your message.
- As you advertise your availability, a larger network bring more exposure in your search.
- As your network grows, you will be able to see more Jobs on LinkedIn jobs.
- Often recruiters or hiring managers will post their search as a status message. If you are directly connected to them, you will be able to see these.
- Having a larger network allows you to help more people. As you help people, they will help you.

I have often heard the objection regarding privacy. I have a few suggestions if this is a concern:
- Google has announces a new product called Google Voice which will give you a free phone number and voice-mail. It will also allow you to forward any calls to multiple phone numbers such as home, work or cell while allowing for screening. You can set schedules for forwarding and many other great features. This offering will be going public soon, although I have been using it for some time. If you can’t wait, do a search; there are other similar offerings for free on the market.
- Setup a free email account specifically for your LinkedIn, job searching and online marketing activities. I prefer Gmail, but any of the free services will work.
- On LinkedIn, you can choose to expose as much or as little about yourself as you like. I suggest a free phone number and email, but you can hide this if you like.

Best of luck in your networking efforts. It is the most productive way to search for a job. I wish you success and am happy to help in any way I can.

Yours in Service,
- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Solid Foundations – Secret #7 for your Job Search

I talk with a lot of people about their job searches and in doing so and invariably, they ask me to immediately review their resume.  However, instead of doing so, I start off by asking them some questions:

- What is your relationship with God?
- Has your family been supportive in your job search efforts?
- What are you looking for?
- How are you spending your time?

I do this because, in my opinion, a lot of people have their priorities backwards.  They are convinced that the reason they are getting little traction is a bad resume.  While this may partly be the case, I suggest that one is much less likely to have success if you haven’t built a solid strategy and have the foundational pieces in place before hitting the streets with your resume.

Foundations

“…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33  This scripture assures us that we must put God First and trust in him in order to achieve His plan for us.  God always has love for us in his heart and seeks the best fo us according to his will and grace.  We simply need to put our trust in Him and give Him our Love.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28

For many years, I walked outside of God’s grace.  I never understood why bad things happened to me or why I never got my way.  However, since I have become a believer I now have the support of a loving God for whom all things are possible.  I may still not always understand why things happen to me and I certainly don’t always get my way but I have faith that everything is happening for the best, according to his plan and will and that it will always turn out for the better for me.  It always has, even the most painful of circumstances.

We as human beings cannot fully comprehend the scale of God’s love and power.  Nor the size of His shoulders.  I have learned, however, that I can pile all my worries, sins, fears, inadequacies and concerns upon His shoulders and they are always able to take the load.  This releases me from handling them myself.  We were not designed to handle everything ourselves, but to rely upon him to give us a loving shoulder to lean upon.  Once I release these matters to God, I myself am freed to focus on hearing and understanding his will and executing upon it.

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” 1 Chronicles 28:20

Secondly, Our family relationships must be in order to truly acheive success.  Please read the article I wrote earlier about the importanc of family here: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/family-secret-6-for-your-job-search/ I lean upon them and we support each other.

Lastly, you must have a healthy relationship with your community.  First and foremost, this means your Church.  They are a source of encouragement, hope, support and love.  We are commanded in scripture to gather in our communities so that we may Raise up the name of God together and support each other as a family.  Beyond the scope of our Church, this applies to our fellow man.  In terms of your Job search, reach out to those in your networking sphere and offer to help them.  This is according to God’s will and will provide a tremendous return for you.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others” Philippians 2:4

“Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brothers in need, yet closes his heart against him,how can the love of God be in him.” 1John 3:16-17

Only when we are in harmony with God’s plans and in acceptance of His leadership will we truly be able to hear his voice.  As we get closer to God, we receive the gift of the Holy Sprit, the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, which infills us and provides us strength, power, success and confidence that can be acheived in no other way.  This can only be acheived through dedicating our lives to God, glorifying Him in all we do and through quiet prayer.

Only when our foundations have been considered, should we consider the tactical aspects of the job search.  These include insuring that we have the proper focus, branding and tools such as resumes.  I discuss these matters in other posts.

I pray that each of you will open your hearts and minds to become closer to God.  That you will walk in the path that he has laid out for you and that you will trust in Him with all your might.  I pray that you will release to him any sins, burdens, fears and other chains that keep you from God’s wonderful grace.

Yours in Service,
- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Using LinkedIn to find your next Job

One of the primary tools I utilize in a job search is LinkedIn.  Many of you are already using the service, but are you doing so to it’s full potential?  When used properly, it can revolutionize the way you find your next job.  Remember however that no electronic media whether it is eMail, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter is a a replacement for a face to face meeting with someone.  The primary purpose of thee tools should be to establish a long-lasting, face-to-face relationship with your network.

I am not a LinkedIn expert, however I would consider myself a power user.  I have over 1700 direct connections and counting which provides me access to over 12 million people.  I get approximately 100 invites a day.  The wonderful thing is that I have had phone or face to face conversations with many of my new LinkedIn friends.  Over the past 2 years, I have gotten 2 jobs through connections I started on LinkedIn.  For me it’s been a great tool.

As I said, I am not an expert, but there are some wonderful people out there who have put a lot of effort into becoming LinkedIn experts.  Here’s a few that I recommend that can help you to become a LinkedIn Guru as well as some of their recent posts:

Randy Schrum
Blog: http://successwithlinkedin.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/randyschrum
Recent Posts:

• How much time do you need to spend on Linkedin?
• Why Accept Invites to Connect on Linkedin?
• Be Found By Your Past “email” on Linkedin
• Becoming an Expert in your Target Market on Linkedin
• Building A Large Network Quickly
• Do Not Accept Multiple Invitations At Once!
• Which Linkedin groups should I join?
• Your Profile Is Your Resume
• Linkedin Starter Guide To Success by Randy Schrum
• Do what you love & brand yourself!
• Irrelevant Keywords Success Tip
• Loading a CSV File on Linkedin
• Building a CSV Excel File…Success Tip
• Join Groups Success Tip
• Having Success by Building Connections on Linkedin

Patrick O’Malley:
Website: http://www.patrickomalley.com/
Blog: http://www.the-linkedin-speaker.com/blog/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickomalley
Recent Posts:

• LinkedIn training tip – Best way to put your maiden name into your LinkedIn profile
• LinkedIn training tip – Who said “I don’t know this user” to your LinkedIn invitation
• LinkedIn training tip for HR and recruiters – a clever talent management technique
• LinkedIn training tip – faster job hunting with LinkedIn toolbar
• Missing LinkedIn tip – Misspell your last name in your LinkedIn profile?

Jim Browning:
Website: http://www.networkingga.com/
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/JimBrowning

Sean Nelson:
Website: www.linkedintuition.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/seannelson
Blog: http://linkedintuition.com/blog
Recent Posts:

• The LinkedIn Light Bulb is Flickering – April 16th, 2009
• Wenesday Comic 06: Duplicate LinkedIn Accounts – April 15th, 2009
• The Average LinkedIn Network – April 13th, 2009
• Why Do People Repeat Answers on LinkedIn? – April 11th, 2009
• Wednesday Comic 05: LinkedIn User Guide – April 8th, 2009
• I’m Growing Fond of LinkedIn Groups – April 6th, 2009
• On LinkedIn Show Don’t Tell – April 1st, 2009
• Wednesday Comic: LinkedOut 4 – April 1st, 2009

A few final words:  LinkedIn will work best for you if you use it as a tool to help others.  In Luke 6:38, Scripture tells us to “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  This has proven true to me.  It is easier to form a relationship with someone if you are able to help them.  They will remember your generosity and return the favor by working harder for your interests.  It’s kind-of fun too. 

Best of luck to you all.  If there is anything I can do for you in your search, please let me know.
- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Family – Secret #6 for your Job Search

This is a difficult topic to write about.  I know that many of the readers may not be blessed as I am with a wonderful wife, kids, parents and sister or may have lost a close part of your family recently.  After God, they are the most important thing in my life and continually provide me strength and motivation.  I rely on them more than they know.  Since  I don’t know your circumstances, I will focus the article upon my own perspective and experiences and hope that it touches a chord in a few of you.

I saw a movie recently that changed the way I view my relationship with my wife.  It is called ‘Fireproof’ http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ While my relationship with my wife was pretty good, this movie made me realize that I had certain priorities in my life wrong and that I was not giving enough to her and the things she felt were important.  I have since purchased the book ‘The Love Dare’ and am reading it hoping to take the inspiration I received from the movie and implement it in my life.  The movie taught me that it is never too late for any relationship if you are willing to work for it.  I know many of you have been driven apart from your spouses because of the stress of the job search and encourage you to go get a copy of this movie and book as it is never too late.

God has a plan for the way we are supposed to manage our relationships with our spouse.  It is not about some sort of blind hierarchy (Man leads Woman, etc), but a hierarchy that comes about naturally by submitting to God’s love, purpose and plan.  Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”.  This tells us that sacrifice for our wives is the path God intends for us to take toward a healthy relationship.  Ephesians 5:22 states “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”  This is often misunderstood to imply some sort of subservient role; it does not mean this at all.  Instead, these two passages demonstrate the healthy relationship that God intends us to have with our spouses.  They must happen together for this system to work.  Imagine a wife submitting to a husband whose entire being, self and interests are to sacrifice and love his wife, as Christ loved the body of believers.  In this manner, the wife is not actually giving up anything, but in fact, is the driving force in the direction of the family.  God intends the wife to be the rudder on the boat and the man to be the motor.  The system does not work and the boat only turns in circles or floats randomly without both parts working together.

So what does all this have to do with finding a job?

I always have choices to make in my life.  Sleep late or wake up.  Read a book or look for work.  The direction for my career.  Which job to accept.  I trust in my wife to provide me with Godly advice and prayer (or even nagging) in these and many other decisions.  God has gifted women (especially my wife) with a different perspective on life than mine.  My wife’s mind works based on emotions.  Mine works based on intellect.   I think things through (sometimes too deeply); she intuitively knows the right answers more often than not.  It is these differences that make us stronger together.  It is her emotional perspective (not meant in any bad way) that I find her most attractive asset as she always has a greater natural propensity for caring, love and sacrifice.

My wife and I pray together on difficult decisions.  We talk them out.  I do my best to put my perspective aside and understand hers.  I believe that this process is in line with God’s will for our relationship and our lives.  It leads us to better decisions that are in line wth God’s will.

As I strive to give myself up for my wife and family as God commands, I find myself jump-started when my energy or motivation are low.  I find myself with a confident purpose of direction.  I find myself getting done that which needs to be done, no matter how unpleasant, humbling or embarrassing.   It is this support and love that she gives to me that keep me motivated and working hard to provide for them.  It provides me with a psoitive and confident attitude that comes across in my interview, personal relationships and networking.  This pays immediate dividends in my job search efforts.

I pray that each and every one of you have the opportunity to experience this sort of relationship.  If you are not married, or in a relationship, seek others for support and Godly counsel; whether they are parents, siblings or friends.  They can provide this encouragement, counsel, accountability and motivation if you first sacrifice for them and allow them to do so.

God Bless,
- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Career Experts Offer Advice to 6 People Out of Work

I ran across this article that was published in Readers Digest and though it contained a lot of good advice.   As always, please let me know if I can do anything to help.

• 9 Recession-Proof Careers
• What to Do When You Lose Your Job
• How to Find a New Job
• Read what may be the world’s worst cover letter and resume.

Read the full article here:

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/career-experts-offer-advice-to-6-people-out-of-work/article120035.html

- Michael Korn, PMP
- President, Sagelight Solutions, Inc.
- 678-265-4004

I accept all LinkedIn Invites at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
View my Blog at: http://mjkorn.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
Corporate Website: http://www.sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyer1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Job Search Coaching Service Announcement

I have put a lot of thought and prayer into how to best help fellow job searchers.  The beginning of this journey led me to start my blog (http://mjkorn.wordpress.com/ ) which has been more successful than I would ever have believed.  I am getting over 2,000 hits on a good day and over a dozen emails a day from people asking for advice, encouragement or prayer.  My purpose in stating this effort was simply to help others with practical and faith based advice, giving any honor and glory to God for his inspiration.  It has been a true blessing to me and I have made many new friends.

As I pray about how I can help further, I have been called to speak at local churches and even possibly participate in writing a book.  However, the part of this experience I have enjoyed most is meeting with others and humbly providing them whatever insight and experience that God has gifted to me.  These experiences have been a light in my days and encouraged me to continue in my efforts.  Therefore, I want to openly offer to assist everyone reading this with the following services, free of charge:

- Prayer and encouragement
- Career coaching
- Resume review
- Value Presentation preparation
- Job search coaching
- Interview preparation
- LinkedIn and Networking coaching
- Business strategy advice
- Corporate Sales & Marketing strategy

Here’s the hard part which has troubled me the most.  I struggled with the question of what, if anything, to charge for these services.  I have decided, through much prayer and Godly counsel, to offer my assistance for free to anyone who asks.  However, since I still need to feed my family, I will ask for a (completely optional) donation at whatever denomination you feel matches the value you received.  I also understand that many of you are not in a position to outlay any funds at the moment and so would simply ask that you consider returning at some later time, once you are employed, and donate whatever is in your heart.  If you never donate anything, that is fine as well as I feel I am storing up my treasures in heaven by doing this work.

If there is anything I can do to assist, I will be happy to talk to you via email or phone and we can work through these challenging times together.

Yours in Service,
Michael Korn, PMP
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
I accept all LinkedIn Invites: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
www.sagelight.com
678-265-4004
mkorn@sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyper1
Yahoo: mjksagelight

Playing the Numbers Game – Secret #5 for your Job Search

Play the numbers to get a job! In today’s market, you need to play several numbers games in order to be successful in your job search:
- # of resumes submitted
- # of telephone interviews
- # of emails sent to your network
- # of interviews
- # of job offers
- # of connections in your network
- # of networking group meetings attended
- # of face to face networking meetings
- # of hits in web search engines
- # of hours spent working on your job search per day.

When i am searching for a new role, I spend 12-16 hours a day, at a minimum, working on my job search. My advice to people is to treat it as a job during crunch time. Remember that every hour you spend on the bench is money out of your pocket so it behooves you to take this seriously. Stay motivated and work harder than you ever have to get work. You need to attack the problem from all sides and attack it hard.
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

I only spend about 10% of my time on Job boards. However, post your resume on all the big ones and go in and update it at least weekly to bump it up to the top of the list. I have gotten a couple of positions just because someone found my resume on a job board. Apply to every job you are qualified for and keep a list. If possible, send a follow up within a week. Collect a list in your email client of all the recruiter’s emails you can find and keep that for future follow-up.
“Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”" Jeremiah 1:9

If you are marketing yourself properly, you will get at least one phone interview, hopefully many. These are often from recruiters who have found you and are seeking to qualify you further. Try to get them talking quickly and describing the job so that you can best position your experience to the job requirements. Again, make sure you immediately follow up with an email thanking them for your time. Send them your cover letter, resume and Value Presentation. Follow-up again within a week to check on the status of the position and to see if they have come across anything else for which you may be qualified. Remember, that if you offer to help them with referrals and contacts, they will be much more likely to want to help you.
“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” 1 Kings 3:12

Every time I am on the bench, the first thing I do is send an email out to my entire network letting them know that I am available and reminding them of my objective and experience. Be careful not to come across as desperate. I utilize my list of recruiters that I collect as well as my LinkedIn Connections. Note that you can easily export a list of all your contacts with their email addresses from LinkedIn and use that to send an email with your favorite client. Respond quickly to any return emails and be sure to offer your assistance in identifying candidates for them from your network if you are not a fit.

Work every lead hard to try to get an interview. Utilize your network and find out information about each and every lead. If you can find some insiders in the company, ask that they get your resume bumped up to the top of the list for consideration. Also collect as much information as you can about the work environment, the company and the challenges they face. Thorough research will make you stand out and get you more interviews.

Obviously, the goal is to get a job offer. The real goal, however, should be to get several job offers and be able to choose the best one. Don’t laugh, it happens to me just about every time. Think how wonderful it would be to have a job offer in hand and be able to consider other options.

Your network is the most critical part of your job search. Reach out to them. Offer to help them; they will return the favor. Work aggressively to grow your network. I strongly suggest using LinkedIn as part of this effort and accepting all invites. You never know who may know someone who is hiring. I have over 1400 connections in my LinkedIn network and several hundred personal contacts outside of LinkedIn. I value every one of them.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1

Networking group meetings are a terrific way to make new connections and get leads. Spend some time web searching and find every job networking group in a 50 mile radius. set them up on your calendar and make it a point to attend as many as possible. When you attend, dress professionally, be outgoing, shake lots of hands, trade business cards and practice your elevator pitch. Try to setup face to face meetings with as many people as possible as you never know where these will lead. Other than Job Networking meetings, look for industry or technology specific meetings to attend. Don’t attend these searching for a job; go intending to sell yourself and simply let people know you are available if they are interested.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

As I mentioned previously, setup as many face-to-face meetings with your contacts as possible. Invite them to coffee or lunch. Meet with old friends. get together with your family. Again, be careful about sounding desperate or coming on too strong as a job searcher; you will be much better served simply spending the time forming a friendship, understanding the other person’s business and offering insights and advice from your background that can help them. Help them and they will help you.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” Acts 20:35

The first thing many recruiters will do when researching a candidate is to do a Google Search on your name. Heavily participating in social network sites, blogs, web pages and online discussion groups will help your search engine ranking increase and show a potential hirer that you are SOMEONE. Always be professional with your online communications and avoid sensitive topics such as politics. Watch your language and realize that anything you write is a permanent record. If you provide cross-links between all your major outlets, this will enhance your web ranking.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Put in the hours. You’ve got little else important to do so spend the time to focus on your career search. Have a plan for your day and a to-do list. Wake up early and get to work. Treat this as a job and take it seriously. Spend every waking hour on your search (without neglecting God or Family of course). This number alone will have the greatest impact on your success.

Finally, don’t get discouraged. Remember that this is a numbers game. Be careful not let up on your efforts when you have an opportunity. It’s human nature to get excited about an opportunity and focus on it instead of continuing to work your plan. In the words of some anonymous wise man “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.” Keep all your efforts going full speed until you have offers in hand.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Here’s my numbers over the past two weeks which resulted in 2 job offers. It was a busy 2 weeks:
800 – # of resumes submitted
30 – # of telephone interviews
3000 – # of emails sent to your network
12 – # of interviews
2 – # of job offers
1600 – # of connections in your network
25 – # of networking group meetings attended
12 – # of face to face networking meetings
3000- # of hits in web search engines
12-16 – # of hours spent working on your job search per day.

I wish you the best of luck in your search. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

Michael Korn, PMP
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mkhyper1
I accept all LinkedIn Invites: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjkorn
www.sagelight.com
678-265-4004
mkorn@sagelight.com
AIM: mkhyper1
Yahoo: mjksagelight