by Kay Betz

For readers in serious job acquisition mode, here is an eight-step plan that is efficient, effective, and results-oriented. 

1.    Get organized – use a planner (paper or electronic).
2.    Analyze your time – limit, or better yet, eliminate your “time bandits,” and create a time budget the same way you budget your money – budget the amount of time you can dedicate to networking and/or volunteering (see #5, 6 and 7 below), as well as for researching (organizations, businesses and jobs), applying, and interviewing.

Have you ever wondered what other people see in you?  The answer is in what you give people to look at.  When a person’s eyes land on you for the first time, they want to know two primary things:  1, is this person a danger to me?  2, is this person someone whom I want to know, even briefly? 

Part 1 of this article focused on what people see as we come into their view.  In part 2 we will explore what others see when we speak.

As we speak, the receivers of our voice are watching us and evaluating us.  Are we loud?  Are we soft-spoken?  Are we silly?  Are we serious?  Are we self-absorbed or are we interested in others?  Are we respectful?  Are our words appropriate for the situation?  Are you embarrassing me? 

Do you speak with your eyes?  The eyes are the windows to the soul.  Dr. Allen Konopacki [1] in an article entitled Making Eye Contact says that the eyes, more than any other part of the body, function subconsciously and involuntarily, revealing hidden attitudes to those who know eye language.  Research shows a relationship between how people move their eyes and what they are thinking and feeling.  In Making Eye Contact Dr. Konopacki discusses variations in eye movement which show how intensely a person is analyzing a sales message.

People ask me why, after 38 years, I am still working hard every day in my profession.  I tell them because I’ve finally figured it out!  I’ve gotten pretty good at what I do, I value the people I work with, I know how to acquire the business that I want and I know how to maintain it.  Why stop now?  Then they ask me well, how did you build your business?  And I reply, mistake after mistake until I reached my goals.

In Part 1 of our discussion of eye contact we learned about various eye movements and what they mean.  In Part 2 let’s talk about reasons for shielding these revealing body parts.

Why? A smile is attractive. A smile is appealing. A person’s happiness is reflected in their smile, and it is refreshing to see. A smile evidences a good sense of humor.  A smile creates the anticipation of a good moment.  A smile is an ice-breaker.  There is no better silent marketing tool than a smile.  A smile causes your eyes to sparkle.  A smile makes you approachable; it puts you in control; and it provides a platform for you to take a conversation in a direction that you desire.  A smile makes the next step in making a friend so much easier.  A smile causes good feelings to be energized in you and in your conversation partner.  Self-esteem is present in a smile.

Advantage number 2.

There are 39 Silent Marketing techniques identified in the Polishing the Pearl Development Series.  Occasionally I like to share real life experiences with you that demonstrate the power of these techniques.  Technique number 4 is treat everyone equally - your job is to serve.  Technique number 39 is Don’t be the problem - be the solution.  Deliver peace of mind service. 

A great quarterback has the ability to lead his team to victory in the last two minutes of a game.  The superstars do it in the biggest games with the most on the line.  Unitas, Montana, Elway, Brady, are among the superstars.