A job search can be a daunting task to say the least. But in a down market where the 24/7 news speaks only of doom and gloom, it can see almost hopeless. The good news is that you are not powerless and can be in more control than you think is possible.

The following strategies are based on the Feng Shui principle of making sure the flow of your focus is clutter-free and fully engaged on getting a good job even in a poor economy. Clarity in your job search and your flow of focus comes from letting go of all of the negatives, the "I can'ts, the what ifs and the if onlys" and replacing them with "I can, I will and soon." Keep both your thinking and your personal physical environment, e.g. your office, desk etc. where you work on your job search, clutter free so new thinking can enter and your enthusiasm can be reignited.

State of Mind – When focused, new opportunities will emerge as your clarity and enthusiasm grow. When one job does not work out, adopt the attitude that others will come along, and soon. The results of your search has as much to do with your thinking and positive or negative attitude as do the external circumstances of the down economy. Eliminate the negative gloom, doom 6:00 news cycle, and eliminate negative people in your life who discourage you even more.

Feng Shui Strategy - Spend 15 minutes each day in quiet space, journaling or meditation focusing on and fine tuning your internal attitude. Be grateful for who you are, the talents and skills you have and the opportunities that are coming your way. Gratitude is empowering.
(b)Connections and Engagement – Include everyone in your job search and continually expand your contact database. When job searching, there is no better alternative for connecting with people than one-on-one. Join local organizations whose members could be a potential employer. Get connected via social media and stay connected, do not isolate yourself. Get in contact and stay in regular contact with past employment colleagues. Ask friends and neighbors for help – they are all connected to someone that might know of a job opportunity that may not otherwise come to your attention.

Feng Shui Strategy – Use clarity and focus. Create a 30-second commercial (elevator speech) you can use anytime someone asks "what do you do, what type of job are you hoping to find?" Use it often both in person and online.
Routine – Create a job search schedule and maintain the routine. Searching for a job is Your Job! Treat job hunting like any other job and schedule specific hours to work on it. Keep informed of trade and industry trends to help you obtain a competitive edge and provide you greater knowledge about which will be poised for future growth. Schedule a certain number of hours per day or per week to spend on your job search and stick to that schedule. Also schedule down time and creative time to remain balanced and stay encouraged.

Feng Shui Strategy – Take frequent short breaks to maintain your enthusiasm and collect your thoughts. A short walk filled with fresh air will often be the perfect break. Sort your job searches into short tactical strategies to reduce boredom or discouragement. Select one field to search in at a time. For example if you are in management, search for a certain period in the high tech field, then move to the health care industry then on into yet another field.

Career Enhancement Opportunities – Improve you searching skills by reading career books and attending seminars. Take advantage of learning opportunities to improve your job search and career management skills offered by local business groups and the government.

Feng Shui Strategy – By pursuing professional development and participating in classes, seminars, certifications and conferences, you will keep your interactive skills sharp, increase your employable value by staying current and expand your connections.

Technology is Your Best Friend – It is critical in today's marketplace to utilize web sites and online services to connect with your industry as well as build personal visibility. Create a career online profile, using tools like VisualCV (www.visualcv.com) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com). Many companies have company LinkedIn and Facebook sites where you can follow them and they love to learn about potential employees. These sites are career gateways and often lead to contacts even faster than job boards. This may be a harder step for anyone over 45 but everyone under that age knows that the internet and social media sites are the fastest way to connect.

Feng Shui Strategy - Learn how to use all online tools like Facebook, blogs, and virtual job fairs. Be sure to post only those things that you would want a potential employer to read and nothing more. Also, follow potential employers and create short blog posts twice a week on ways to help a potential employer in your field. Build a trustworthy bridge through technology to your next job.

Tangible Results – In a down economy you cannot ask, "What's in it for me" but rather, “What can I do to help a potential employer?” This means that you need to zero in quickly and identify a potential employer’s most pressing needs and challenges – and then explain how you can successfully address those issues in the short term based on your past experience and education. It's all about fulfilling a need they have, not what you want.

Feng Shui Strategy – Shift your thinking from "about me" to an "about them" attitude. Holding clarity on this one thought will set the right tone to reignite you job search enthusiasm and have a great interview.

Draw on Inner Strength – Do not face your job search alone, especially in a down job market. Look to supportive and encouraging friends, family members and your religious leaders to help you and get you through difficult times. While you are quite able to handle finding the job on your own, it is the words of encouragement that help you maintain a calmness and clarity during the process. Despite what the news says about the employment marketplace, you must have clarity; stay focused on your search strategy so you can continually reignite your enthusiasm because enthusiasm is contagious and demands positive results.

© Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2011

Author's Bio: 

Pat Heydlauff speaks from experience. She works with organizations that want to create an environment where employees are engaged, encouraged and involved, and with people who want to be in control, anxiety-free and confident. She is the author of Feng Shui, So Easy a Child Can Do It and can be reached at 561-799-3443 or www.energy-by-design.com. – for Feng Shui music for meditation, relaxation and energizing http://www.energy-by-design.com/HealingMusic.html. Visit her strictly business site by clicking here www.engagetolead.com.