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Tips for Making Your Job Search Easier
Whether you are facing a slowed economy or one that is bursting at the seams, there are ways to make your job search less frustrating. The problem is that you don't know where to start or how to be successful in that search. To get on the fast track with your job search, follow these hints and tips.
"Looking for a job is a job in itself," says Anthony Davis, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College - Fort Wayne. "If you expect to work 40 hours a week, then you must be prepared to put in many hours in your job search."
Davis says job seekers must first be committed. "There are many obstacles that prevent job seekers from being committed, including wanting to sleep in later in the morning and walking around the house in pajamas. These are nothing but distractions. If you start work at 8 a.m. and have been getting up at 6 a.m., do not change your schedule. Your job search should begin fully dressed at 8 a.m."
The next step is to have a razor-sharp résumé. This is very important, especially if you have been out of work for quite a while or are new to the process. If you don't have the money to pay a professional to craft your résumé, Davis says there is online information and many books available on crafting résumés for specific jobs. "Your résumé must speak to the job you are applying for," Davis says. "A résumé that does not will quickly be tossed in the outbox trash."
Regardless of the résumé type, it is important to be able to quantify your accomplishments. For example, if you saved the company 20 percent because of a process you created, or you developed an initiative that was implemented by the company, put it in writing and explain the results of your action. "Don't forget to update your résumé every six months or so, especially if you completed a new project, assignment, or joined a community-based organization," Davis advises.
Now it's time to create your own job search team to help advise you while you are looking for a job. For established job seekers, a sampling of team members can be professional colleagues, business associates and past co-workers. For newer job seekers, team members can be close friends, parents, college professors and alumni. The team you select should be willing to provide you with honest feedback as you embark upon your journey and provide the feedback without expecting anything in return.
Job seekers should be networking. Going through the newspaper's job ads and online career listings are OK, but nothing takes the place of networking. You may ask, "Network with whom, where and when?" The short answer, Davis says, is "everyone, everywhere, and all the time." In fact, according Davis, members of the job seeker's job search team should be some of the same people the job seeker should be networking with. Many of these people have valuable contacts.
Other networking opportunities can be found just by volunteering for a nonprofit organization. Volunteering shows commitment and initiative. Even if you aren't doing anything too mentally taxing, you can increase your industry knowledge and may discover a new career path that you hadn't thought of before. Plus, you'll be helping other people.
Many nonprofits need volunteers with experience. If you have accounting experience, there may be a nonprofit out there that needs your expertise. There have been job seekers who have turned their volunteer opportunity into real jobs.
After each step in the process, keep a log of what occurred. Finally, Davis says its important to keep your head up, maintain positive thoughts and don't quit. You will find something out there.
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Courtesy of ARAcontent
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