Career Advice:  Four Career Advice Secrets to Creating Successful Career Opportunities

By Ed Sykes

Soon after I graduated from college, I moved to New York City to find fame and fortune.  I was in a great relationship, found a great job working in Manhattan, and I was feeling on top of the world.  I was going places!

But then it happened.  My girlfriend broke up with me and the company let me go due to reorganization.  In only a few days, my world was shaken.

I applied for job after job with no results.  My money was running low and my rent was due. I didn’t know what to do.

Down to my last bit of cash, I had to go to the bank to get money to eat that night.  I put on my winter coat, gloves, and boots and walked three miles in the cold to my local bank.  At that time in the early 1980s, most banks didn’t have ATMs so I had to go inside to a teller.

As my hands began to thaw, I went to the table to write a check for fifty cents.  I dreaded waiting on line for the teller to serve me.  As I inched forward in the line, I broke into a cold sweat in anticipation of interacting with the teller over a measly sum.

When my time came, I looked the teller in the eye and handed her the check.  She looked at the check then looked at me.  With a slight hesitation, she asked, “How would you like your fifty cents?”  When she asked that question, I thought the whole world could hear her words.

That night as I sat alone at my kitchen table eating chicken noodle soup I thought it couldn’t get any worse.  I could have given up at this point, packed my bags, and went back home to a nice comfortable environment.  But I knew I was better than the difficult situation I was in.

As I held onto positive thoughts, I looked up at the job classifieds in the paper.  My new opportunity called to me:  a listing for an entry-level position in the corporate technical training industry.  This excited me since my family came from an educational background.

The next day I called and received a job interview.  I got the job, and over twenty years later I am still empowering organizations and people to improve their situations.

Whether you are in the middle of a job search or looking for a new position, adding the P-I-N-E principles will help you achieve your goals:

1.  Patience is the Key to Success – Develop the courage to be patient when seeking job opportunities.   When you are impatient you are more willing to accept job opportunities that will get in the way of your true calling.  Develop clear career goals that will steer you to the job or promotion you want.  Think of the following quote when you are seeking job opportunities or promotions:

“Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius.” - George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon

It may be against monumental challenge, but hold on for the job opportunity or promotion you really want.

2.  Innovation is the Key to Success - Take the time to be innovative and stand out from the crowd.  Recently a friend lost his job of fourteen years and was out of work for a week.  He used innovation to get another job.  He sent his resume with a giant chocolate chip cookie that had “Hire Me” written on it to prospective employers.  He was hired within the week and has since informed me that he has received two even more lucrative job offers in the meantime.

Seek to provide solutions to prospective employer.  No matter the economy, employers are always looking for people who can make money, save money, make them more competitive, and enhance their organization in any way. 

Stand out from your competition by “taking the path less traveled” and being creative in your search.  Another friend wanted to work for a company but they had no openings.  She researched the company and approached them by creating a new position that would make the company more money in another marketplace.  Not only was she hired, the company created a new department based on my friend’s research and made her manager of the department.

3.  Networking is the key to Success – “Cast your net” and make yourself and your skills known to the people who can make decisions on your career.  This will help you cut the success curve in half because decision makers will be quick to hire or promote people they know, trust, and have confidence in doing the job. 

Along with networking at association meetings, another powerful method of networking is volunteering with your company and outside of your company.  By volunteering, new people both inside outside your company will see your skill set.

4.  Enthusiasm is the key to Success – Most importantly, bring a positive attitude to any career opportunity.  Let the decision makers see the how excited you are about the job opportunity and communicate how you can make a difference.

I know your job situation may be challenging to say the least.  Make sure you protect your enthusiasm and positive mindset so that you can overcome those challenging moments.  Concentrate on the big picture and your career goals.  Focus on these goals morning, noon, and night so that you have a crystal clear concept of what you want to accomplish.

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” - Benjamin Franklin

Let your enthusiasm sell you!

Follow these four techniques whether you are job searching or looking to be more successful at your present job.  These career secrets are guaranteed to help you create more success in your career, your life, and your community.

Suggested reading:

Five Secrets to Creating Your Dream Career

Five Secrets to Becoming the Perfect Employee That Everyone Wants – Part One

Five Career Advice Secrets for Being the Perfect Employee Everyone Wants on Their Team - Part 2

You Mean I Need to Promote Myself to Get a Promotion? 5 Promotion Secrets to Get the Job You Want!

Three Secrets to Telling Your Story for Career and Life Success

You Mean I Need to Promote Myself to Get a Promotion? 5 Promotion Secrets to Get the Job You Want!

Seven Secrets to Being the Leader Everyone Wants to Work For

Nine Ways Johnny Carson Can Help You Run Outstanding Meetings

Five Secrets to Gaining Credibility with Your Team for Outstanding Results

How Appetizing Is Your Feedback? (5 Steps to Giving Effective Feedback)

Ten Techniques for Motivating Others Through Chaos

10 Action Steps to Motivate Yourself to Great Accomplishments

Eight Ways to Motivate Part-Time Employees

Delegate to Accelerate Success (How to Prepare Yourself and Others for Success)

Appreciate to Motivate (The Key to Successful Team Building)