Self-starting rather than passively accepting is one of the most important competencies a job seeker can possess. Taking action to achieve goals beyond what is necessarily called for and seeking out opportunities to learn is what employers look for in applicants. In the Initiative Lab job seekers learn to do the work they are assigned to and work proactively to assist in daily operations and projects, and take initiative to seek new work.

In the Productivity Lab job seekers undergo a professional check-up. The results will reveal an individual's strengths, opportunities for enhancement, and talents in their personal productivity. Time management is an important component of personal productivity, but so are efficient learning, personal organization, mental control, creativity and decision making. With productive employees a company simply has more horsepower to achieve its goals.

Even in the most difficult economic times, people usually blame themselves for the loss of a job. Self-blame and doubt quickly undermine even the most confident person’s sense of self-worth. In this episode, job seekers will be coached on attitudes that are necessary for finding employment. Proven concepts will be implemented, showing contestants how to keep a positive attitude while job hunting and how to handle inevitable rejections by prospective employers. Confidence and self-worth are restored effectively and efficiently. Self-confidence pitfalls will be dodged.

Having a vision is one of the essential success factors. Guiding statements motivate and inspire an individual and clarify his/her future direction. Creating a vision statement will be without a doubt one of the most powerful and significant tasks individuals will ever do to take leadership of their personal and professional lives. In this episode, job seekers will learn how to write their personal vision statements, coached by a highly respected, well-known expert.

Becoming unemployed is a demoralizing experience that shatters dreams, ends careers and culminates in fears of losing existence. Established career goals are sacrificed for the sake of survival. In this episode, jobseekers will learn the difference between a job and a profession. A job is working to live, whereas a profession is loving to work. Individuals may be surprised to learn that they are not suited for their line of work or chosen career and they may opt for a change in direction. They will learn to make informed choices and find the true reasons for a necessary career change.

Job search success is directly linked to the job seeker’s appearance. Research shows that an interviewee’s appearance is more influential than a firm handshake. The first impression on a potential employer is the most important one. An interviewer’s first judgment is based on looks and style of dress. In this episode, individuals learn how to dress for an interview and how to obtain a healthy life style to look fit and energetic. Our experts will lay out their most successful strategies to make everybody a winner.

Job seekers are often asked to participate in a job assessment. Personnel selection methods can consist of a standardized evaluation of behavior based on multiple job-related simulations and psychological tests. Job simulations are used to evaluate candidates on behaviors relevant to the most critical aspects of the job. In this episode, individuals will be guided by well-known experts through all components of psychological testing and skill assessments.

A résumé needs to be professional and polished. If it is not, the job applicant is unlikely to get a second glance from a personnel manager. There are many formats and templates available, but a successful résumé has to be custom-tailored, highlighting the strengths and achievements of the job seeker in a convincing and unique way. In this episode, several experts will help individuals make the best possible first impression on a potential employer. Writing the perfect résumé is part science, part art and a lot of hard work. Because this important tool is used to get interviews with potential employers, it should be clear, accurate and concise, with the company’s specific position in mind.

Employers look for more than technical or specific job-related skills when hiring prospective employees. Job applicants need to be prepared for interviewers who try to identify their strengths and weaknesses in areas such as teamwork, conflict management, problem-solving, innovation and dedication. In this episode, job seekers will learn how to succeed in competency-based stress interviews, including how to respond to unexpected questions and attacks.

There is not a single method to guarantee that a job seeker will find the ideal job. The best way to go about finding a job is to incorporate every resource available and develop a job-seeking strategy that covers the greatest amount of the job market. In this episode, individuals will learn how to network, use the phone and the Internet, scan help-wanted ads, utilize employment agencies and temporary employment services.