Friday, December 23, 2011

How to find a Job in a Tough Job Market

Determine that you will find one ...no matter what. Set your face like flint.

Make it your full time pursuit, 40 hours per week. No more, no less.

Learn how, but don't overdo it. Job finding is more art than science. Many books on this topic are academics writing about something they have never done.

Get your resume pared down to one page if possible. Only include what you have done in the last 20 years. Focus on experience, success and ability. Downplay your education. They hire you for your skills, not for your education.

Prepare a sharp cover letter. Make it open. Light. Interesting. Non Conventional. Something that will get read. Bullet point your ABILITIES demonstrated by your experience.

Job Objectives are over rated.

They will see you fitting into their operation as they read your cover letter. The cover letter highlights, the resume illustrates.

Use recruiters and employment agencies. You are inventory. They have job requests coming across their desks all the time. You may just be what someone is looking for.

Don't be discouraged by rejections. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. Every rejection is one place you know that actually READ your resume. Consider applying again to the place that rejected you in a couple months if nothing comes up.

Don't get into a salary negotiation. IF they ask how much money, try to answer with "I expect that this job will pay commensurate with the responsibilities, abilities and experience I bring". You do NOT owe them an explanation for how much you earned at your last job. Even if it's on the application. If you are an attractive enough candidate, those omissions will be overlooked. If you are not, they won't matter anyway.

IF the money isn't what you think is right, say so. I once walked away from an offer and in an hour the money offer was doubled into 6 figures. Don't be shy. Don't be desperate.

Take your cover letter, it doesn't have to be personal, take your resume (one page hopefully), sign your cover letter in BLUE ink. It proves it's not just a photocopy. Put it in a number 10 business envelope, hand address the envelope. You can put a sticker on the back with your return address. Use an attention line. RESUME ENCLOSED. Use a fancy stamp, not just the routine ones. Something eye catching. IT will get opened.

Use Google maps to find employment agencies within 30 miles of your residence. Part time, full time, temp, executive search. You will find a large number. Send one of your letters to each one. Give plenty of ways to reach you back. Phone, Fax, Email, Text.

Find companies who you think you would LIKE to work for...send one to them as well. The mail room will find the right person if it says resume enclosed.

Go to the websites of companies you might target. IF they have an on line application, fill it out. Submit it.

Keep an eye out on Craigs list, Indeed, Jobs boards. IF something shows up, go for it.

Make a few junk interview appointments to get used to doing it. Apply for stupid jobs you don't' want. Two things will come from this. You will get GOOD at interviewing. You will get offers you will reject. AND from time to time the person interviewing will say, you won't fit here, but I know someone looking for someone just like you. One of the best jobs I ever got happened this way.

Look for jobs everywhere. Even on bulletin boards at the coffee shop or grocery store.

IF you are on unemployment use this time to look, not lay around. Most people on unemployment don't begin looking until 3 weeks before it's about to expire. Bad plan.

Be careful NOT to take a job just because you need the money. IF you do, it will cause you to become stuck and without the future you need. You need to have the time. IF you take any job, take it part time.

The BEST job you can ever have is to work for yourself. Not everyone can...but many do.

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