“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.”-Ferris Bueller.

Recently, someone asked me if I was always on vacation. I kind of had to chuckle a bit because anyone who knows me, knows that I am an utter and complete work-aholic.  But I answered, “Yes, every Saturday and Sunday, I am on vacation.”  I meant it.  I have worked for seven days a week for so long that when I moved my family to the beach last summer, I committed to resting on the weekends and taking advantage of the nature around us – and I meant it.  This means I barely take part in social media and I check my email only once a day. This is time away that I need, that my family needs – that we all need.

I am always very glad for the reprieve from my weekday grind that has become so relentless.

How many of you get away from work on the weekend? I mean really get away? It’s very easy, while physically away from work, in this technologically-driven age to access email, voicemail, check in on social networks, review proposals, send proposals, write proposals, catch up with work-related reading, and so on. It is becoming increasingly difficult, even if you stay away from your office, to truly take a weekend.  But you need it, you need to take that break and rejuvenate. Believe it or not, this will save you precious time in the long run.

When you don’t take time to recuperate from the stressors of your work life, you reduce the amount of regeneration that takes place in your mind and in your body, thus slowing your progress during the work week. Not only does fatigue wreck its havoc but daydreaming slips in and out during your day and throughout the week, causing non-productivity and further exhaustion. Weariness has a tremendous effect on us and we don’t even realize what we are suffering from. Most of us claim just the opposite: “I must not be working hard enough, because I just can’t seem to get anything done.”

Our bodies need the respite in mind, spirit, and body that even a short weekend can provide. Just one or two days to sleep a little later, spend some extra time with the family, take the dog for a longer walk, go for hike or bike ride, visit with neighbors, start a new book, go see a play, spend time with friends, catch a sunset and think about that: the sunset - not the file on your desk or the ten emails waiting in your inbox.

Let go for just a bit – two very short days and enjoy the things you enjoy. Seems simple but when was the last time you did just that? These days, I am trying to be a bit more like Ferris Bueller and embrace the adventurism that I know lurks deep inside. I try a little of that embracing each weekend with a purpose to capture memories for my personal vault.  Next week, I will draw from those memories, when stress starts to creep in and the phone won’t stop ringing.

Take a well-deserved break every now and again- every weekend for that matter. You won’t be sorry, you need it, and your body will thank you for it.

The question isn’t “what are we going to do,” the question is “what aren’t we going to do?” -Ferris Bueller  (click on the link – you will LOVE it!)

See?  You need a day off – or two!  Enjoy!

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

Since I work in the human resource field as a recruiter and HR professional, I am often asked by those in the job hunt how to approach individuals in my own field. Understand that those in the HR industry especially in this current economic climate receive hundreds of calls from would-be job seekers even without a single opening.

Catching a recruiter or human resource professional at the right place and the right time takes a little bit of luck and a whole lot of preparation. Prospective job seekers need to ensure their marketing materials (resume and cover letter) are top notch and specific to the position. My advice to job seekers who desire making meaningful connections with industry professionals, is that timing is everything and preparation is essential in maintaining a professional and polished front.

When approaching HR, do your best to walk in the mile of their shoes and make the most of the moment when doing the following:

• Cold Call. As an HR Professional I get job inquiries daily. Prepare for two separate scenarios either talking live or via voicemail. Be ready for your fifteen second elevator pitch when inquiring about a vacant position. Be direct and to the point respecting the HR Professionals time. If leaving a voicemail, speak slowing and leave a brief message. Make sure to leave your name at least twice, your phone number, and why you called. The best times to contact someone live is just after the schedule workday begins or just after lunch. These are times when I’m likely in the office just before or after daily meetings and other work-related activities.

• Using Your Network. Email or call those within your network and make them aware of your intentions. Be clear about the type of position you are looking for, benefits, and other items like relocation. Ask for referrals and contact names of target companies. Don’t be afraid to follow up either by phone or email referencing your referral’s name.

• Email. Just like a voicemail, your email to a human resource professional should be to the point and outline your intentions. Attach the necessary marketing materials including your resume and cover letter. Make sure to include your contact information including your email and phone numbers. Make sure to reference the person with whom provided their contact information in your email. I am happy to forward resume and job inquiries to a hiring manager contact if I have a good, personal relationship with the job seeker.

It seems lately I’ve received a number of voicemails both at work and on my cell from customers or candidates that leave out important information when leaving a message. Here’s a quick best practice for voicemail.

1. Know the name of the person you are leaving a message for. Sounds simple, right? I think so too. You won’t believe the number of people who leave a message for someone named Jennifer on my voicemail. Hello, my name is Jessica. What’s the impression you’d like to leave your recruiter with?
2. Repeat your name and phone number twice during the call. I receive a large number of messages where I can’t hear the name of the person leaving the message or their phone number because of the wonders of cell phone technology. Your message should be something like, “Hi, Jessica. This is Sharon Andrews. You had left me a message about scheduling a phone interview for later this week for the Accounting position. Please contact me at 405.222.3200. Once again my name is Sharon Andrews at phone number 405.222.3200.” Brilliant!!
3. Practice your message and keep it brief. 15-20 seconds at most. Often times I’ll have 2o messages when I arrive to work on any given day. Be respectful and keep your message short, professional, and to the point.
4. Talk slowly and enunciate your words. You are not in a race. Talk confidently and professionally. Show energy & enthusiasm. My mom used to tell me to put a smile in your voice. And you should too!!
5. Phone Stalking is a no no. The wonders of caller id have allowed me to see who has called me and how many times. Be respectful and leave a message. Don’t call 25 times (yup it’s true) in ONE day! Often times I am out of the office for the day or in meetings and don’t get to returning candidate calls until the afternoon of the following day. A message every other day is just fine.

You’ve submitted your resume and the waiting game begins. How does one follow up that the resume was received, the position is still open, or if you have questions about the position? A well-trained receptionist will take messages for any calls he/she believes are regarding an open position. First, understand that HR Professionals are busy people and contrary to what you believe, we are not waiting for your call. Don’t treat them as such. On an average day as a recruiter, I would receive 30-100 calls about an open position. My gatekeeper or receptionist was trained to take messages and ask questions about who was calling when the caller asked for Human Resources.

So how do you make contact?

A method I have used in the past is very simple. You can use it two different ways. Make a call to the company and say the following, “How are you today? Can I speak with Joe? I had another question for him. This is (your name).” To the gatekeeper it sounds as though you already know this person and they will put you through to Joe. Once you get ahold of Joe, tell him you were mistakenly transferred to him and was trying to get ahold of someone in Human Resources. Bingo!! You’re in.

Another common method is to call, speak to the receptionist, and ask to speak to a generic department like Accounts Payable or Safety. Typically, this department receives many calls and are not guarded by a gatekeeper. Once you are transferred to this department, let the person know you were mistakenly transferred and wanted to speak to someone in HR.

Speaking to a HR professional for the organization you are looking to work for takes a little work like I explained but alot of luck. Chances are that person is away from the phone. Leave a message, sound professional, practice your script prior to calling. Don’t phone stalk!! No more than 2 calls a week. Did I mention be professional and practice??

Next week. . . Spell Check is your friend!!!