| I used to love that show "All in the Family". Archie | | | | unemployed for more than 2 months a little change is |
| would ask the Meathead: "Why don't you just get a | | | | called for. Try paddling down stream instead of |
| job?" Alas if only there were a super market for jobs | | | | upstream. Are you following your passion? Enthusiasm |
| & careers where you just pluck them from the | | | | is hard to fake in interviews. Maybe you are bored stiff |
| shelves. In high school they don't teach job search 101. | | | | with your current profession and it shows. Are they |
| In college they have a bit more assistance, but not | | | | doing you a favor by not hiring you? |
| enough still. At this moment in my state RI there is | | | | - Is it location that is limiting you? If you are in an area |
| 8.8% of the population out of work. Realistically, that is | | | | of the country lacking opportunity being able to |
| about 5% too low, as only people collecting | | | | relocate could open new doors for you. Usually you |
| unemployment compensation are counted. There are | | | | can approve the list of places you are open move to. |
| too many folks fired, who quit or were formally self | | | | Perhaps it may be as simple as a longer commute. In |
| employed who never make that total accurate. So | | | | RI jobs are scarce but in Boston MA just 30 more |
| here is a little input from me, a hiring authority & | | | | minutes by car jobs are plentiful and better paying. |
| veteran Recruiter from the Advertising & | | | | Consider sending a follow up letter to all your former |
| Marketing, Mortgage, highline Jewelry and fine Furniture | | | | targets letting them know you are now willing & |
| industries. Take it from someone who knows. | | | | able to relocate. |
| - Always be focused on getting interviews first & | | | | - Focus on why you can. Change your focus and |
| foremost. People hire people, almost always from face | | | | change your life. Change happens at the speed of |
| to face interviews. Nothing else matters nearly as | | | | thought. Opportunity is everywhere! Maybe it is slightly |
| much. Make this priority one. | | | | disguised. Post signs to that effect where they will be |
| - How do you get interviews? Great cover letters that | | | | seen repeatedly. Abundance is the natural state of the |
| sell & customized resumes for each position you | | | | whole world. Consider fish & how many eggs |
| target. Make yourself that company's missing puzzle | | | | they produce. Watch a kudzu vine grow. Plant a |
| piece and you will fit right in at the interview. | | | | garden and watch what happens. Notice how many all |
| Remember no farmer can harvest unless he plants | | | | you can eat buffet restaurants there are. Recently, the |
| seeds first. | | | | Dallas Morning News had an Employment Section that |
| - Ask yourself these questions: "What is this | | | | was 65 pages long. |
| company's most pressing problem?" "How will I | | | | - Live with an attitude of gratitude. Spend some |
| contribute to solve that problem?" Music to your | | | | thinking time everyday on counting all your blessings |
| employer's ears involves more productivity, saving | | | | this is a great mental exercise in gaining perspective. |
| costs, retaining cutomers & increasing efficiency. | | | | As you distance yourself from your problems they |
| - The competition is fierce out there. Depending on the | | | | shrink. If you give happiness a foothold as part of your |
| medium the average job listing gets 50-75 resumes. | | | | everyday routine it might just gain a stronghold. The |
| Did you know it is actually twice as effective just going | | | | difference will certainly be noticed on your interviews. |
| directly to the employer and getting the interview | | | | Body language, attitude, professionalism and mood are |
| before they place an ad? Less competition of course. | | | | huge factors in performing well under pressure. |
| A compelling cover letter is exactly what opens doors. | | | | - Think back on all the folks you helped. Perhaps they |
| - Always get professional help on the documents that | | | | are in a position to help you and you do not even |
| determine whether you career will sink or swim. Sales | | | | know it. Reach out and touch someone. Ask them if |
| & Copywriting skills are a niche market. Not to be | | | | they know anyone who is in a position to help you get |
| confused with typing skills. | | | | an interview. It is so simple and effective it is often |
| - Always be networking. "It is not what you know but | | | | overlooked. |
| who you know." In your circle of friends and | | | | - Follow up and thank you letters. A lot of folks are |
| associates who might have an in at that Fidelity | | | | good starters. By demonstrating you are a good |
| Investments office down the street? Imagine who you | | | | finisher again you are setting yourself apart from the |
| could rub elbows with at the country club playing golf, | | | | masses. Maybe one out of ten people take the time to |
| tennis or lounging by the pool. These connections are | | | | write them. Do it, you will move ahead 5 spaces and |
| the magic beans that great jobs sprout from. Sharing | | | | collect $200 from the banker. Of course you will be |
| and caring about your neighbor is also what makes a | | | | remembered. Sometimes the first person hired doesn't |
| community great. Get out there and be part of it. Join | | | | work out and two weeks later: You will get the first |
| a group, association or get out your rolodex or the | | | | call. I always kept in touch with great candidates I could |
| contacts file in Microsoft Outlook. | | | | not hire right away. They are kind of like having a |
| - Target hi growth industries & careers where | | | | strong bench, a must for a great baseball team. If you |
| there are shortages of skilled workers. Nursing, | | | | can't be a starter, you can at least be a bench |
| Computer Programming, IT, Left handed Pitching, | | | | warmer. |
| Fluency in Arabic, Investment Advisors, General | | | | - Use professional recruiters, better employment |
| Practice Physicians etc. Your passions or desire for | | | | agencies and staffing companies. They can point out |
| career stability may lead you in a new an exciting | | | | your weaknesses before you interview with an |
| direction. Use a search engine to look for: Fastest | | | | employer. Better yet two heads are always better |
| Growing Careers. By focusing on flourishing industries | | | | than one. Don't let them monopolize your time |
| & careers you may be pleasantly surprised to find | | | | however. Direct employers should always be a higher |
| they value and appreciate you more. They are | | | | priority. Fit them in where you have time. Ask around if |
| receptive to most of your needs. Because of their | | | | anyone knows of a proven one. After all isn't |
| good fortune they usually have better benefit | | | | delegating a good thing? |
| packages too. | | | | - Take advantage of your local Department of Labor |
| - Have you had your references updated & | | | | & Training. (Or similar for your town.) They have |
| contact info verified? Better yet, have you checked to | | | | career counseling, job placement assistance, job banks |
| see what your past employers are saying about you? | | | | & even training programs to update your current |
| References? | | | | skills. The talent these folks have is far greater than |
| - Try to analyze why it is that you are still without a | | | | you might expect. Often times they are the first |
| job. Which area is your weak point? Getting interviews, | | | | people to know of a new mass hiring campaign. |
| sending out great cover letters & resumes, or is it | | | | Naturally they have connections with the right people |
| the interview themselves. | | | | too. I myself have gone back to the great gal that |
| - Good news sometimes comes in small packages. | | | | helped me find my first job out of college to find |
| Getting hired for a temporary job while you are looking | | | | talented employees. |
| often times may lead to a permanent position directly | | | | - Whenever possible try to kill two birds with one |
| or indirectly via networking. This means it is a winner | | | | stone. While you are out on one interview, on the way |
| for both parties involved. Don't overlook this avenue. | | | | back stop by another business for a visit. Talk to the |
| - Change your focus. Expand your job search if | | | | employees; casually mention the fact that you are just |
| possible: Non-profit, State & Federal Government, | | | | killing time between interviews. Many bright employees |
| Education, Law Enforcement, Self Employment, | | | | are aware of company bounties that are paid for |
| Relocation, Healthcare, Finance, Sales, Administration, | | | | referring new employees to their company. The |
| Management, Tourism, Hotel & Restaurant. | | | | average is about $500 after they stay ninety days. |
| - Don't use one generic resume and cover letter. They | | | | More realistically this is a great time to get inside info |
| should be customized for each targeted position. | | | | from the folks who really know. Make a new friend, |
| Honestly you have 15-45 seconds to interest your | | | | perhaps their former employer may be a perfect fit |
| new boss. | | | | for you. |
| - Research your targeted employer before the | | | | - Read a good dress for success book. Follow their |
| interview. Is profit trending up, remaining level or down? | | | | instructions on this subject. |
| Are they hiring, maintaining, or reducing their | | | | - Remember to always be focused on getting |
| workforce? Are they a leader or a laggard in their | | | | interviews. This is were most folks go astray I learned |
| industry? Are they unionized? All this and more can be | | | | this from Tom Hopkins. Always prioritize your work |
| honed from search engines and media searches on | | | | and get the most critical item done first. If you can do |
| the internet. | | | | this every day, you can afford to hire a housekeeper. |
| - Learn, adapt & change. Hey my whole industry | | | | Realistically I would have to guess that this one tip has |
| went through several severe slumps. If you've been | | | | had a whole lot to do with my five promotions. |