| I was recently reviewing comments from successful | | | | that before." |
| customers who cared to write us to share their job | | | | 2. "I'm now committed to the careful feeding and |
| hunt experiences. Of course, I heard mainly from | | | | watering of my network." |
| those who had followed our program of alternative | | | | 3. "I'll try to stay connected during good times and |
| job search strategies. It's always encouraging to | | | | support those who are going through hard times so |
| discover that so many people found the alternative | | | | that 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 with | | | | But, what really struck me about this obviously |
| finding a job when you didn't use an alternative | | | | dedicated worker and thoughtful job hunter were his |
| success system. So often we like to dwell only on | | | | concluding 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 the | | | | and 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 tribulations | | | | how 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 a | | | | not 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 an | | | | again." |
| employer smell your desperation; it's completely | | | | It took Tom eight months to find a job. My only |
| off-putting . . . . Be comfortable with where you are | | | | regret, 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 wishes | | | | System. 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 | | | | |