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One bold anonymous friend of mine (fresh out of college-university) was trying to find a job and decided to send out a handy little SOS to his networks to help in his job search. I respected him for that and decided that it was a good quick reminder for you job seekers out there to start building those networks before you need it and to get them to help you out as part of your “ninja” arsenal of tools.

First…

Remember to Use Everything including the Chop Sticks

During a “jobs jobs” search you want to make use of every possible tool on your belt. Leave nothing out of your arsenal or strategy. You may spend less time on some tools and more on others.

The job search SOS is a pair of chopsticks that you’re using to fight it out in a restaurant. Imagine that while…

Writing the Arrow Fired Letter

Update your resume, brainstorm, mind map and think up every important thing you want people to know about your situation, you, your accomplishments and your goals. Write this SOS like you’d write a cover letter and get it edited by a trusted friend several times. Failing that have the computer read it back to you.

Keep it sharp and concise
Emphasize your strongest achievements
Use bold headings

Here’s an example of one by the anonymous connection of mine:

Good afternoon,

As some of you may be aware, I am a recent graduate of [a Green Business Management program, with a focus on the Green Building Sector]. Buildings play an integral role in creating a sustainable future based on operational efficiencies, conservation and design. I believe that this is a great opportunity (industry) to help reduce our GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions and do it in a cost effective manner.

I am familiar with, and a member of several initiatives and organizations including (LEED, BOMA, TAF, MEER, CaGBC) and actively involved in the [city] Forum for Green Building & Design speakers series. I am also the Green Building Coordinator for a large condominium complex in [city].

I have a Hon. B. Commerce degree with a focused attention in accounting and finance, and currently pursuing LEED AP certification. Utilizing my finance, accounting and sustainability background along with my real world experiences in real estate / property management, and sustainable development, I am looking to build a career within the Green Building industry.

If you or any of your contacts could be of assistance in helping me further develop my career, by creating a mutually beneficial connection I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,

[Anonymous Candidate]

My connection’s SOS was a good start. There are definitely ways to really make it shine.

Here’s are some of the things you might do to improve this:

Good afternoon,

Hoping you are all doing great! Let me know what you are all up to! Anyhow, as some of you may know, I am a recent graduate of [a Green Business Management program, with a focus on the Green Building Sector]. Buildings play an integral role in creating a sustainable future based on operational efficiencies, conservation and design. I believe that this is a great opportunity (industry) to help reduce our GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions and do it in a cost effective manner.

Financial Management Experience

I have a Hon. B. Commerce degree with a focused attention in accounting and finance, and currently pursuing LEED AP certification. Using my finance, accounting and sustainability background along with my real world experiences in real estate / property management, and sustainable development, I am looking to build a career within the Green Building industry.

Knowledge of Green Building

I am familiar with, and a member of several initiatives and organizations including (LEED, BOMA, TAF, MEER, CaGBC) and actively involved in the [city] Forum for Green Building & Design speakers series. I am also the Green Building Coordinator for a large condominium complex in [city].

How to Contact Me

If you or any of your contacts could help me out in this search that would be fantastic! Let me know what I can do to return the favour or help you out now or in the future! Please have them contact me at xxx.xxx.xxxx or email me at xxxx@xxxxx.xx.

Thank you,

[Anonymous Candidate]

PS. Please forward this to at least 10 people you think could help! Thank you!

I moved “Financial Management Experience” to the top position because this is my contact’s strongest area (in this situation anyway). Other possible changes include…

The sentence:

“Hoping you are all doing great! Let me know what you are all up to! “

Helps to open up the conversation by focusing it on your connections and making less “me” centred.

Adding this sentence:

“Let me know what I can do to return the favour or help you out now or in the future!“

Makes sure that you are giving people an incentive to help you out because you’re going to help them out now or later on by returning the favour. Again it helps to make it less about you again and makes it an “obvious” win-win. The easier you make it the better.

You’ll also want to add:

“Please have them contact me at xxx.xxx.xxxx or email me at xxxx@xxxxx.xx. “

If your SOS is forwarded to someone by email (the original SOS was on LinkedIn) then people will have an immediate bit of contact information to get in touch asap. If you forget this people might just file it away without touching base and end up forgetting about it (human nature). The easier the better for potential helpers.

Plus add:

“PS. Please forward this to at least 10 people you think could help! Thank you!“

You want to have the “call to action” repeated and made really, really clear. Have your friends send this to people.

Use the above as a template for your own email, blog post or SOS message.

Remember think of this message like a cover letter.

And…

Beat It Gently into People (Like Bread)

Send that SOS to your professional and personal networks on a regular basis because people might have missed it on the fast pace of email or Facebook. In an ideal world you’d have built the perfect network because you knew exactly what you wanted. Since the world is far from perfect, use the SOS as your emergency kick start.

You can use LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Do some ninja “joint casing” (scouting research) to find out if there are networks you should be a part of that would help you with your job hunt. In the upcoming job search ebook you’ll find out why LinkedIn should be a network you must have (plus one other…). For now get an account and start building relationships with ninja-to precision.

Send the SOS out regularly enough without ticking people off. Once a month is a safe bet. Once a week is pushing it. Once a day is likely to get you a lot of disapproving frowns. (And I know what that can be like, learn from my mistakes.)

Just remember…

A Helpful Catch 22

Let it be said that it’s still a bit of a long shot since your network could have everything under the kitchen sink except the right connections for the job you want. Always remember to make sure you’re laser sharp with your goals and the company you want to work for (vital, vital, vital). That way you’re making the right connections (beforehand) and your SOS will be a ninja star that flies true.

If you’re still employed you might want to avoid using this kind of SOS unless you send it to people who are definitely in a different work place. (You’ve been warned) If an employer finds out you’re looking for work elsewhere it’s usually reason to fire you. These days there is news of employers actually working with employees to find other jobs to make up for lost hours so you can avoid worry in those cases (see A New White-Collar Juggle).

In Summary…

So get your network involved, let people know you’re looking and write up a message summarizing the very best you have to offer so people know exactly what to look out for.

Feel free to connect with me personally to share your biggest problems, fears and concerns about job searching and I will work to address them in my upcoming ebook due out in the next few months. I’m serious. I want to help you find what you’re looking for. Use the Contact Us form above!

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The dictionary definition of “passion” is “an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.“

Lots of friends come to me and ask for advice on career directions. One of the first things I ask them is, “What do you want out of life?” Surprisingly very few of them can give me a straight answer because they never really thought of it — even in these trying times. In the aftermath of the recent recession, it’s more important than ever to know what you want in the short and long term and focus on getting there because life has only gotten tougher — being aimless is no longer possible. Nothing can help you if you are clueless about what you want — whether it’s job hunting or creating your own business or organization.

You will find it hard to finish a race if the finish line is missing (or you don’t have one in sight).

The first step in any plan is the goal and the vision. If you can get clear about what you’re passionate about you are already ahead of 98% of people. Surprisingly few people spend time to really think about all of their passions even though it is not as hard as many think. (They may hate what they’re doing right now yet do they know what they really want to do as the alternative?)

As Socrates, the ancient Greek thinker once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Power of Desire

A passion map is about you throwing open your heart onto the paper or mind map — it’s the start of the detective work into who you are and what you want.

Being passionate is vital because it’s what drives you forward like nothing else can. It’s what makes you wake up early in the morning looking forward to the rest of the day (and if you are missing that feeling then it’s time for some soul searching). Passion inspires others and can rub off on them.

Passion is a major factor between life and death or success and failure. In the SAS Survival Guide (Special Air Services — elite British military commandos), the number one thing about staying alive is the ability to stay motivated and maintain the will to live. In today’s difficult times, survival thinking is vital.

Without motivation, without passion you might as well be like the walking dead. Mind you I hate zombie movies with a passion.

How to Unleash the Passion

Using a pen and piece of paper or a mind mapping/brainstorming program, brainstorm and write down 5-10 things you’re passionate about. These are things you love doing – even voluntarily.

Next, break down those passions further into other areas. Say you were passionate about cats, dogs and popsicles for example. You could have fur care or nutrition for cats; collars and dog food for dogs; popsicle sticks and freezers and packaging for popsicles; and so on. See the video at the top of the post for a live run through of passion mapping using a mind mapping program.

Here are some mind mapping programs to get you started:

Piece of paper and a pen/pencil — The most flexible and easy way to create a passion map; the most commonly used mind mapping program.

Mindmeister – An online mind mapping program you can use anywhere you have access to a computer and the Internet, which includes the public library. (http://www.mindmeister.com/)

Mindnode Pro – One of my favourite mind mapping programs for the Mac. It’s fast, smooth and syncs to the iPad. (http://www.mindnode.com/mindnode/professional/)

Omnioutliner – I use it for outlining, research, project management and brainstorming. Works for passion mapping. (http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnioutliner/)

Mindjet Mindmanager – A business level program that includes alot of features. I use it less often nowadays because it lacks the smooth “Mac”-style graphics that Mindnode has and its iPhone/iPad version is lacking visually. (http://www.mindjet.com/)

Freemind – A free mind mapping program with over 4000 downloads per day. Free goes so far because its hot keys leave something to be desired. (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page)

Novamind Pro – Another strong mind mapping program for power users.

Omnigraffle – The most beautiful mind mapping and outlining program you can use. It might be too much just for a passion map. (http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnigraffle/)

You could plan your whole life and all your projects just with mind mapping if you wanted.

Desires Are Your Starting Point

Passion maps give you a starting point to making your passions and desires a reality. For example:

You can aim for the jobs you really want and are good at
You can start a business that you’re passionate about
You could run a course about one of your passions
You could write a book on one of your passionate subjects
You could take courses to become an expert at one of your passions

The possibilities are endless.

Still unsure what you’re passionate about?

Ask a career counsellor or start volunteering for things you’ve brainstormed in your passion map and are unsure of. Start doing more research about the things you are passionate about.

In addition, in the upcoming job search ebook, “A Shinobi Guide to Job Hunting 3.0” you’ll get more information about how to make a mind map of desires your key to a successful job hunt. You can sign up for the Priority Notification List about it (click here).

In Summary…

Knowing what you want out of life will help you avoid wasting time at jobs you hate, find the jobs and careers you really love and do great at and give you a clear and sharp focus that will let you overcome any and every challenge. Passion mapping is the start of your journey because it lets you see, grab and be driven by the fires of motivation.

Disclaimer: Just to let you know the phrase “passion map” has been trademarked by passionmaps.com. What is being used in this case is simply a one time, generated mind map outlining your areas of skills and your desires. This concept is common sense.

There are other web sites that have also discussed using mind mapping about what you’re passionate about, roles and goals.

These include:

Mind Map Tutor: Passion makes perfect

The Lost One: Discover Your Passion with Mind-Mapping

Mind Mapping Your Roles and Goals

the mindmapping software blog: How mind mapping software can help you to reach “escape velocity” on your dreams

How to Use a Genius Tool for Writers: Mind Maps

IQMatrix: Pursuit of Happiness: 32 Keys to Fulfillment

Design for LIfe – Create Your Passion Map (TM)

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