Got a difficult problem in your job search?

Say, a lack of networking contacts? Or trouble answering interview questions?

Well, you’ve got company. Problems in a job search are as common as mosquitoes in July.

But … have you ever written your problem down on a piece of paper?

I’ll bet you haven’t.

Because, when you write problems down, you take an immediate, huge leap towards solving them. Think about it: Every great invention or solution, from the atomic bomb to the Xbox, was first worked out on paper.

Why not solve your employment problems the same way?

Here’s a three-step method that will help you do it …

1) Start by asking the right questions
Most folks put themselves behind the eight ball in their job search by asking questions that are depressing and demotivating.

Questions like, Why won’t anyone give me a job? or How do I network when I don’t know anyone?

Ack. Pass the happy pills.

Instead, start asking questions that motivate and inspire you.

Better questions to ask are:

* How could I give people a reason to call me with job leads?
* How did my 10 closest friends find their current jobs? How could I brainstorm with them and use their methods in my job hunt?
* What worked in my last job search? The job search before? How could I do that again?

Important: Ask questions that you yourself can solve. Never depend on the government, your school, parents, family — anyone else — to do this for you. Because, once you give up responsibility for solving problems with your job search (or anything else), you become a prisoner of outside forces.

When you ask the right questions, however, you’re halfway to the answer. So write down at least five empowering questions about your job search, right now.

Then, you’re ready for step two …

2) Brainstorm at least 20 possible answers
After you write down five good questions, circle the one question that looks most promising. You’re going to use it to get hired faster.

Let’s say you write the following question down atop a clean sheet of paper:

How could I give people a reason to call me with job leads?

Write a number 1 below it. Write a possible answer next to that number. Then move on to number 2, 3 . and don’t stop until you have at least 20 answers to your question.

Not 15 or 19, but 20 answers — or more.

There’s a reason for this: Left to its own devices, your brain will pull a Homer Simpson after two minutes and try to talk you into going out for donuts or beer. Brains hate to think. Like bench pressing, thinking is strenuous work, no matter how good it may be for you.

But don’t let your head off the hook. Don’t stop until you get 20 possible solutions. Brainstorm as if your career depended on the outcome. Because it does.

Now. Most of your 20 answers won’t be very good — that’s OK. Your best answer may come right after the most hare-brained. By forcing yourself to write out 20 answers, you’re flushing the creative pipes while going deep into your subconscious mind to dredge up a winner.

Don’t knock it until you try it!

3) Take action on one solution today
Choose the most promising from your list of 20 answers. Then, get started — today — to make it happen. No excuses.

Let’s say the most actionable of your solutions is to throw a networking party where you can meet friends, family and acquaintances, and let them know about your job search.

Now. What do you need to do to make this party happen?

Well, you have to make the guest list, send invitations, get the food, etc. So write down all the sub-goals necessary for the party to be a success. Check each sub-goal off your list as you complete it. Before you know it, your networking party will be a reality.

After that, take the next most-promising solution from your list of 20 and make that one happen. Repeat until hired.

Here’s why these 3 steps work when it comes to solving problems — clear thinking plus continuous action equals results.

If you’re struggling to find a job, write down clear, empowering questions of your situation. Then, brainstorm at least 20 possible solutions and take action on the best one today. When you do, you’ll be that much closer to getting the job you really want, faster.

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Most mothers struggle with the question of whether to stay at home with their children or work. If you’re trying to make that decision, you know that it can be very difficult, because there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. Here are some things to consider when making your decision.

Can you afford to stay home?
This one seems obvious, but the question requires consideration. There are costs associated with working, such as child care, gas, wear and tear on your car, clothing, lunches and parking. Deduct these expenses from your paycheck and see what’s left. Next, look at other expenses you can cut. Would it be worth it to you to cut back on vacations and luxuries like cable television if it meant you could be home? If you didn’t have a commute to work, could you settle for a less expensive car? Once you’ve examined all the alternatives, you can make a better decision about how staying home will affect you financially.

Will you be happy at home?
Some women stay home because they feel like it’s the best thing for their children, even though they are personally much happier working. If you are unhappy at home, this will have a negative effect on your children, so you shouldn’t force yourself to stay home if it isn’t where you want to be.

Will you be miserable if you go back to work?
Conversely, mothers who truly want to be home with their children, but go to work each day just because the paycheck is a necessity are not getting the best from their life, either. If you fall into this category, maybe it’s time to examine a career alternative that might be a good compromise. Could you cut your hours? Could you telecommute at your present job, or find a job that would allow you to work out of your home? Fortunately, today’s employers offer more alternatives in hours and work environment that make balancing your work and home life a little easier.

Remember that the decision you make is not necessarily permanent. Your financial situation could change, as could your personal preferences about working. I have personally done it both ways, and neither is a walk in the park. They are just hard in different ways, and which one works better for you is mostly a matter of your own personal style.

Are you in need of a job? If you are currently unemployed you may even consider yourself to be desperate for a new job.  If you are, you may end up wondering if you should lower your expectations, to make it easier to find a job right away.  If so, you are definitely not alone.

When it comes to determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration.  One of those factors is your need for a job.  For instance, do you have a family to support?  Do you have rent, mortgage, or car payments that need to be made?  If you do, your need for a job may actually be quite high, especially if you are not receiving money from your state’s unemployment fund.  If your survival depends on having a job, you may need to lower your expectations, even just temporarily.

Another factor that needs to be examined, when determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, is your expectations.  For instance, are they reasonable?  Are you interested in working as a doctor?  If you are, do you have a degree in medicine?  If not, you expectations are not only too high, but they are unreasonable. The first step in not being required to lower your expectations, when searching for a job, is making sure that your expectations are reasonable. For instance, if you worked as a retail cashier for a while and attended business school, you may want to think about trying to acquire a job as a retail store manager. This type of goal is one that is just right, as it isn’t too unrealistic.

It is also advised that you examine the current job forecast for the industry that you would like to work in. In keeping with the above mentioned example of a retail store manager, if the retail industry isn’t doing too well, there is a good chance that not as many new retail stores will open up in or around your area.  This may limit the number of retail store manger jobs that are available.  In this case, you may need to lower your expectations or just change them, to include something different.

Of course, what you need to remember is that if you do need to lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, especially if your survival depends on it, it doesn’t have to be permanent.  For instance, if you are required to take a job as a retail store cashier, but you are actually qualified to work as a school teacher, your retail store job doesn’t have to last forever.  When working and making a little bit of money, possibly enough to help your family or pay your bills, you can continue on by searching for teaching opportunities.  If you keep after your goal long enough, you should be able to find an opportunity that you are more than qualified for.  If and when that time comes, you could choose to give up the job that caused you to lower your expectations. 

Although you may not necessarily want to take a job that you may consider to be beneath you, there may come a time in life when you have to.  If and when that time comes, it is important that you remember that nothing has to be permanent or forever etched in stone.