With so many supporters dispensing advice, it’s easy to get caught
up, especially when some of it can be contradictory. My advice is
to take it all. Similar to the chapter, “Know That Your Résumé Is Yours,”
when you’re going through the process of finding a job, be willing to
grow while staying true to you. What’s most important to you? What is
non-negotiable? In the swirl of the job search, you may not feel you have
too much say or control over what is negotiable—but you do. As stated
in the excerpt of the speech in the introduction to this book, my oldest
daughter told me that relocating wasn’t an option. I set deadlines for myself
in the job search process. In the first few months, relocation wasn’t an
option. It was non-negotiable. I had in my mind that if there were no real
leads, then I would make adjustments to this goal. Time changes goals,
so keep them fluid, but it’s important to balance what’s right for you and
whoever else is impacted. I suggest staying firm to what you want and
who you really want to be. You don’t have to settle or compromise unless
new facts come that may change your direction. Go back to the chapter,
“Answer the Critical Questions” and determine your specifics relating to
location, satisfaction, and compensation, to ensure you are true to yourself.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

When looking for a job, do you know what you want–not just the type of job, but long-term thinking?

A motivational speaker by the name of Lewis Timberlake mentioned this
almost fifteen years ago when I saw him, and I never forgot it.
• Know what you want.
• Know that you deserve it.
• Know what you’re giving up to get it.
The third bullet always grabs me, because many of us often feel we
deserve so much more than we have or get. The question is, “What are
you willing to give up to get it?” Are you willing to travel more than you
ever have? Are you willing to see your family less? Are you willing to work
from home? Are you willing to take a pay cut to get your foot in the door?
Are you willing to shift other priorities? Are you willing to work eighty-hour
work weeks? The questions can go on and on. We may get a high
paying job, but are you getting the other things in return, such as job
satisfaction? Know exactly what you want.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

When looking for a job, you must keep up with industry trends and stay sharp. As part of my routine, I read relevant articles and paid attention to LinkedIn group discussions. In addition, I continued being an active part of Toastmasters International. Although Toastmasters may not be the solution for everyone, it kept my writing and communication skills honed and kept my confidence up with a very supportive group. It also got me out of the house. For me, it was like a play date for adults. The satisfaction level of participating in activities with a group of people with similar goals was very motivating. Additionally, I kept a journal containing all the lessons I learned during the job search process. That journal became the basis of this book. It’s important to balance your job search with professional development. Make sure you read books, websites, and keep your network productive. It all leads to the same place, and the invested time may be the differentiating factor when it comes to preparation, knowledge, and relevant skills.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

What does an unemployed individual have to offer as a mentor?
Plenty! In fact, I picked up more people to mentor along the way
than I would have ever expected. It is always flattering to be asked. My
time-management skills were challenged, forcing me to be creative in how
often we met, but I am convinced that leading discussions and helping
others kept me sharp and on my game. It also allowed me to question
myself about whether I was being productive in my own efforts to grow
and develop.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

Mentors are like that blanket you couldn’t give up as a kid. If you
don’t have to stop the relationship, then don’t. Mentors provide
the objective point of view we all need. If your mentor is with your old
company, unless policy dictates it, there is no reason to stop the conversations.
One of my mentors hit me between the eyes with some feedback
as I was looking into options to get back into my former company when
she said, “Tone down the outside interests.” She meant that my “paid
hobby” of speaking and training on the side could easily be seen as a
priority conflict. Although I saw the strength of these interests as making
me a stronger professional, my mentor’s easily digestible comment put a
potential blind spot into context. Someone who may not know me well
might easily shy away from wanting to hire me due to a perceived priority
conflict. I was able to work on my filtering of this information in networking
and job interviews by not leading with it. I formulated a more
reserved message that came across stronger because it was clear how those
side interests had become an investment in my own growth that would
help me succeed in the new role. I am ever so thankful for the mentors,
both formal and informal, who stayed with me through this process.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby