What It Really Takes to Job Hunt . . . One Searcher s Honest Reflections.

I was recently reviewing comments from successfulthat before."
customers who cared to write us to share their job2. "I'm now committed to the careful feeding and
hunt experiences. Of course, I heard mainly fromwatering of my network."
those who had followed our program of alternative3. "I'll try to stay connected during good times and
job search strategies. It's always encouraging tosupport those who are going through hard times so
discover that so many people found the alternativethat I'll have more folks to lean on (and feel better
system so effective.about doing so) when I hit another rough patch."
But I wondered what it was like to struggle withBut, what really struck me about this obviously
finding a job when you didn't use an alternativededicated worker and thoughtful job hunter were his
success system. So often we like to dwell only onconcluding thoughts.
the glowing successes. Then I found the story of"Going forward, I'll critically view each work activity
Tim Johnston who chronicled his job adventure in theand project I engage in to determine how I can
Wall Street Journal Career Journal.maximize value for my employer and myself, and
I won't go through the very real trials and tribulationshow I can grow from the experience. If it isn't worth
of his hunt. It was painful. It was rewarding.doing, I'll find a way to get it done quickly or not do
Ultimately it was very successful. What did strike me,it at all. I'll build a solid record of accomplishments and
however, were his reflections on the job search anot have to wonder quite as much about how I
few months into his new job.spent my time when I need to redo my resume
The first comment he made was, "Never let anagain."
employer smell your desperation; it's completelyIt took Tom eight months to find a job. My only
off-putting . . . . Be comfortable with where you areregret, as I read his compelling story, was that he
and who you are, and people will be drawn to you."didn't use The World's Fastest Alternative Job Search
He then goes on to report a couple things he wishesSystem. I could have shown him how to shorten his
he had known before he got laid off:job hunt to as little as two weeks!
1. "Networking isn't vulgar. I never really understood