Military leaders call it the “situation room.†Others “command central.†“Op Center.†I call it an war room. When national security is threatened, leaders find it necessary is to assemble in one location to centralize information, communication and strategic planning. At critical times, the war room becomes the nexus and the nerve center to learn, decide and execute action when important things are at stake.
When its time to find the job that fits your calling, one of the most important first steps is to create your own war room. Choose a space and prepare it for action.
Pick a definite space:
The key here is to establish an environment where you can work and stay focused during phone calls and search activities. You may be limited in your space selection and you may have to use a computer where the kids work too. If space is limited, you may even need to create a mobile office that you can set up and take down that “lives†in a plastic container if you’re limited in space. Or head for the dining room table if it’s not used frequently.
The point here is that you want the command central to serve you and help you stay focused on your mission in your mind and in your actions.
Equip the room:• 2 pads of paper
• Highlighters (3 colors)
• Pens (that work!)
• Map of your local area
• Push pins (3 colors)
• A piece of tag board or foam board
• File folders
• A compass
• A place to store files
Set Up an Area Map:
Practical steps
* Attach a local, regional or metro area map to a bulletin or foam board.
* Hang the map in your action room.
* Put a push pin in your home location on the map
* Use a compass to establish your commuting times.
(or draw it freehand if you feel confident.)
Draw a circle that would establish a 30 minute commute for your from your home location. Then do this again to establish a 60 minute commute radius…. Or for those who don’t mind traveling in cars or trains, do it in a 90 minute radius.
Set up Tracking Files:
You will want to record the contacts you make and resumes you send out. When the phone rings, you need instant access to information and reminders of who you’ve spoken to … when… about what… the position… the location. Nothing’s more frustrating to a recruiter or hiring manager than calling a prospective employee and learning that you don’t remember who they are or what you sent to them. It just doesn’t look very professional. (tracking forms available in my book, “Shifting Into Higher Gear” or create your own)
Great ready for the fight…finding a job that fits you is a contact sport!
Coach Tom
