Missing The Shots You Don't Take

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

As a hockey player, Gretzky knew that not taking a shot on net wouldn't help his team score the goals it needed to win games. Gretzky found different ways to create opportunities in front of the net with this motto and is one of the many reasons he is a legend in the hockey world.

Even if you have never laced up a pair of skates or never play the game of hockey, this motto can be used in your own life.

When searching for a job, you won't make any progress if you don't take the time to send your resume out, network, or meet others. A prospective employer will never consider you for a position if you never take the time to send in your resume to him or her. A networking contact will never meet with you if you never take the opportunity to introduce yourself. Taking the opportunity that is in front of you can lead to bigger dividends later on.

On a personal level, one example where I took the opportunity in front of me occurred over a year ago when Terry Pluto, the famed Cleveland sportswriter, was writing a book about the Cleveland Browns. I have been a Browns fan my entire life and saw Pluto was interested in having fans submit stories to possibly be used in the book.

At this point, I could have taken that attitude that the chances of my story getting used were too small and why bother putting the time into it. Instead, I figured that taking the small chance I had was better then not taking the shot at all. After taking several minutes to write what I wanted, I submitted in the story.

Months later, I received an e-mail from Pluto informing me my story was used. The chances of him using it originally may have been small, however, taking that shot paid off in the end.

When you have an opportunity in front of you, realize that the shot you don't take will not get you the result you want in the end.

Find Your Niche With Networking Groups

Over the past several years, networking has grown into one of the most popular ways to find jobs and mingle with different professionals. As more and more job seeker groups become prevalent, opportunities to network are plentiful.

For those new to networking, it can be an intimidating task, however, the best way to find what type of networking group you are looking for is to get out and try several of them. It doesn't hurt to go to more then one and you don't have to limit yourself at all.

Below are different tips on finding networking groups and events you are comfortable with and getting the most out of these sessions:

1) Go to networking groups that have a large turnout and small turnouts- Doing this will help you decide if you feel more comfortable networking in a large room full of people or a small get together at a local coffee shop or restaurant. Some networkers prefer a larger setting while others prefer a smaller and relaxed setting to meet with new people. The only way to find out which type of interaction works best for you is to try both types of groups.

2) Always bring business cards or a notepad- Make sure you have a way for people to remember who you are and if you can't get a person card from another person, have a small notepad to take down his or her information. People do make the mistake of not bringing business cards to a networking event and it's harder for people to remember who you are if you don't give them something to remember you by. For large and small groups, business cards are a must and have that notepad available in case you meet someone you would like to network with who doesn't have a card.

3) Keep your eyes open for networking events in the evening or at restaurants- Networking events in the evening and/or at restaurants during this time typically are more relaxed and are in a closed setting. The people you meet there are often winding down from the day at work and a restaurant often serves as a relaxed setting. This will allow you to network with other professionals when they are a bit more relaxed and not so focused on work.

4) Find networking events within your field- Most industries have organizations associated with them (e.g. PRSSA for Public Relations Professionals) and sometimes networking events are planned as a way to get new members or have an outing. These events can be big or small based on the organization planning it and you will get to meet people within your specific field. It doesn't hurt to look into these groups and attend one of their networking events.

For a Job Seeker, Time Management Can Be One of Your Biggest Enemies

Searching for a job can be a long process and does take up a lot of time. Getting opportunities to interview, preparing for interviews and meeting people does take a lot of time and can be exhausting. Not properly managing your time can hinder you significantly and can slow down your progress.

Below are some tips for managing your time properly during a job search:

Set a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it - Even though you are not working, set a daily work schedule for yourself as if you are working. Set aside at least several hours each day (typically seven or eight) and stay close to that schedule. The best time to reach out to network contacts is during business hours and those should be the hours you are working to find your next position.

Write down your daily tasks each day- Writing down what you have to do each day on a sheet of paper might sound tedious but will help you remember what you need to accomplish on a daily basis and keep yourself focused. Making checklists or to-do lists can help you stay organized and keep you up to date with what needs to be accomplished for a successful job search. This will also help you remember appointments, interviews and follow ups.

Keep mind of opportunities to network- Sometimes we are faced with choices in life and when it comes to networking events, we do have choices to make. Networking events can be intimidating at times but have proven to be effective ways to find a job. Getting out and meeting new people is a great way to find other opportunities for jobs. Networking events can make the day longer, however, they are worth the time and you never know what might arise afterwards. Taking time to go to these events will increase the number of people you meet during your search and can help point you in the right direction.

Keep mind of opportunities that might not come often- While networking, you will come across people who have hectic schedules and will not have a lot of time to talk. If you are given an opportunities to speak with that person (even if it's by phone), make time in your schedule to do so. You never know what might come of that conversation and if you pass, you might not get that opportunity to speak with that individual again. Take the opportunity when given and it might open up another door for you.