I agree with you, Randy, that things are not always as bad as they seem--some would add that things are not always as good as they seem either. As with most things in life, reality lies somewhere in between. It just leans to one side or the other in cycles.

It reminds me of the famous Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

We can easily reframe things too. I hate this phrase; but, I'll use it. "Do we see the glass as half full or half empty?" Most of us believe we are positive people and see it as half full; however, the media portrays things as half empty or in the case of our recession and unemployment rates, nearly entirely empty.

Reframing to a positive would be seeing the employment rate at 88.9%; however, I never see it reported as such.

If you were having an operation and the doctor said you had a 9.1% chance of dying on the table, would that affect your decision differently than if she said you have an 88.9% chance of surviving? The probablilities are the same; it's how we view it.

The economy is the same; it's how we view it. I used to work in the insurance business years ago--mid 70's during a recession. I remember a couple of agents always complaining that nobody is buying insurance today because (you fill in the blank for the excuse, for instance it's a bad weather day and traffic is a mess or everyone is lined up at the gas station). However, other agents still came in with completed applications--they were just the lucky ones, thought the complainers. :)

I shopped for a new printer/copier for my office at Pacific Office Automation yesterday and talking to the sales rep, Megan Allen, I asked her about the "tough" economy. She answered to the effect that things aren't that bad, she was still bringing in orders. She has more time to cold call on the phone and in person (she told me she has time make 300 cold calls a week--and I bet others think she is lucky). She found me cold calling and as luck would have it, I was just down at Frye's and Costco looking at printers that day. Her helpfulnes, attitude, and services offered convinced me that the best overall deal for me on a printer and copier was at Pacific Office--antoher order!

I am a salmon fisherman and I know when a salmon run is in, everyone catches fish; however, when the run of fish has moved through, there are still fish around; but, I have to work harder to catch them (I need to make more cold calls). The nice thing is most of my competition (other fisherman) believe there are no more fish to be caught and they all stay home. I'm out there with fewer folks and we still get our fish. We might have to change types of bait more often, drag bait around longer, and spend more time finding out what the fish are eating that day (more cold calls); but, with persistance and preparation, we still catch fish.

Same principles apply in job hunting. We have to work harder to get lucky. The good news is that most folks are staying home and filling out applications on the Internet for the same postions. It reduces our competition when we are out showing up and making cold calls.

I heard that Woody Allen once said that 80% of success is showing up.

It doesn't matter who gets credit for the saying or if 80% is an exact researched number, but the spirit of the quote is accurate. Show up at prospective employers places of business.

We have to plant the seeds now because when the harvest comes, we want to be ready. Can you imagine a farmer waking up on a late August morning and thinking, great! it's havest time, I better go plant my crops.

For a fun, interesting, and highly infomative job search seminar, join us on June 3, 2009 at the Best Western Emerald Suites Hotel, I-5 and 320th in Federal Way, WA. See details at our website:

www.MattsonCommunication.com

I'll join you this weekend in taking a few moments to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. We stand on their shoulders for all the privliges, freedoms, right to the pursuit of happiness, and wonderful ways of life. As you, I, too, am grateful.

Rod Mattson
www.MattsonCommunication.com

I agree! I just returned to a FTE job after seeking employment for a whopping 8 months!!!! Most scary thing ever and that's with a BA degree in Business and 8+ years in Business and PM experience!

Good tips - contact your bank and credit unions if you're on a car loan or something, mine worked with me, held off payments for 6 months while I looked for job and then re financed me at lower monthly payment

Remember also to consider jobs that pay a little less, I use to make 100K but now make 60K! That's fine for me, I have to accept it considering times and cut un-necessary costs!