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Expecting to Find a Job?Manage Your Expectations & Get Hired More Quickly

JOBHIRINGAre you conducting a search to find a job? Its said that satisfaction is a function of expectation, that your level of satisfaction is largely determined by how far from the expected outcome you end up.This could apply to a relationship, yourfinances, your favorite teams playoff hopes, even whether youfind a job.

Of course, there are those who believe that the solution lies in having no expectations at all. Makes sense, right? Hard to be disappointed if there are no expectations to be met. Theres even a word that describes this condition: Mediocrity. So theres that. And, come to think of it, having no expectations when you set out to find a job will likely completely prevent dissatisfaction because you probably wont find one.

However, setting a goal requires having certain expectations. And the dissatisfaction that so many people experience isnt so much a result of setting expectations too high as it is that no plan was put in place to manage those expectations and no comprehensive strategy employed to achieve the goal.

There are steps you can take to ensure that your goal (i.e., to find a job) remains within reach, never appearing so overwhelming as to feel unattainable. But the steps must be taken. You cant wish for them to get done. You not only have to plan the plan, you actually have to race the race.

Take stock of who you are.both personally and professionally, at this stage in your life and what you honestly expect of yourself (compared to what others expect of you or, worse yet, what youbelieveothers expect of you). If your goal is to find a job that is bothprofessionally and personally rewarding, this step is a must.

Take inventory of what youve done so far.This is a necessary first step before launching a search to find a job. Do so with a critical eye. Are you doing things to find a job that feels productive simply because they keep you busy and completing these tasks gives you a sense of having accomplished something? Weve all done it.

Its all just a matter of time.Literally, actually, really. And no matter how much we may complain that were too busy and that there arent enough hours in the day, there is a simple and amusing truth about time: We have all there is. So dont waste it. Set aside a non-negotiable amount or range of time each day during which you focus solely on how to find a job.

Reconnect with someone every day. Everyone you know probably knows as many people as you do. Whether you are seeking to enhance your career in the long term or to find a job next month, there is no downside to building your database of contacts and refreshing the content.

Learn something new every day.Everyone you know probably knows as many people as you do. Whether you are seeking to enhance your career in the long term or to find a job next month, there is no downside to building your database of contacts and refreshing the content.

Prune the hedges.You may have a lot of potentials. If your list of prospective employers contains job openings that you know you really arent going to pursue, trim it. And review it daily. If you wish to find a job quickly, limiting that list to opportunities with real potential will help you manage both your workload and your expectations.

Rinse and repeat.One of the most important steps to take? Repeat these steps repeatedly.www.distinctiveweb.com

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respectedprofessional rsum writingfirms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with rsums that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider rsum writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now towww.distinctiveweb.comThe Internets Rsum & Career Marketing SpecialistsSince 1996www.distinctiveweb.com resumes@distinctiveweb.com (800) 644-9694Copyright 2014 Distinctive Career Services, LLC