Jun
26
Job Hunting – Your Job Between Jobs
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
Catherine Z Jones asked:
Ronald Reagan once quipped: “A recession is when your friend loses their job. A depression is when you lose yours.”
We’re either dipping or narrowly skirting a recession, and getting good job hunting skills (or refreshing your existing one) is becoming a growing priority for millions of Americans and Europeans.
(A brief aside about lies, damned lies and statistics – while Americans worry about 5-7% unemployment rates being the sign of a recession, in Europe, the usual rate is closer to 10%, due to different measurement metrics and having more people on the dole. Conversely, it’s much harder to let an employee go in Europe, where holding a job is considered a fundamental right.)
First things first – look at your expenses each month. Then look at your income from unemployment insurance (if available), and at the burn rate on your savings. The longer you can spend job hunting before feeling the financial pinch, the happier you’ll be with the outcome. And while you’re job hunting, also look at doing some freelancing in your field if you can – many job types, such as copy editors, writers, and spreadsheet gurus, can make decent money on the side doing freelancing work.)
Next – there are fundamental basics of job hunting. Make sure your resume or CV covers the high points of your experience and is easy to read. Make sure that your cover letter explains, succinctly, why you’re the best candidate for the job, and every time you get a nibble on a resume, send an interview thank you note. (Here’s a trick – write the thank you letter the same time you write your cover letter, update it with the name of the person you’re interviewing with, and have it printed, and in a stamped envelope to drop off in the mail box on the way out of the interview.)
Next, be prepared to work at finding a new job. Expect to make 40-50 telephone calls per week, and to send out at least 15-25 resumes or CVs per week. Be diligent in following these up. While you’re aiming for making a high quality contact, this is a numbers game. Conversely, don’t fixate on one job and get depressed if you don’t get it. Again, the numbers game rules.
Flexibility is also key in job hunting - be willing to take on contract-to-hire positions, or work through a placement firm. Be willing to relocate. Focus on the upside, and maintain your full flexibility as a prospective employee.
If times are slow, consider taking an extra class or two, or getting a certification, to help you get an edge up in the job market. More and more, employers are forced to look at certifications to avoid charges of discrimination – you might as well get them and use this to your advantage.
Finally, be on the lookout for posted and non posted jobs. Even when times are good, fewer than 20% of all jobs get publicly posted. Talk to people in companies and work with them to find jobs that aren’t publicly posted. Likewise, assume any job listing online is getting hammered with resumes and act appropriately.
Find out more about effective job hunting here.
Tej
Ronald Reagan once quipped: “A recession is when your friend loses their job. A depression is when you lose yours.”
We’re either dipping or narrowly skirting a recession, and getting good job hunting skills (or refreshing your existing one) is becoming a growing priority for millions of Americans and Europeans.
(A brief aside about lies, damned lies and statistics – while Americans worry about 5-7% unemployment rates being the sign of a recession, in Europe, the usual rate is closer to 10%, due to different measurement metrics and having more people on the dole. Conversely, it’s much harder to let an employee go in Europe, where holding a job is considered a fundamental right.)
First things first – look at your expenses each month. Then look at your income from unemployment insurance (if available), and at the burn rate on your savings. The longer you can spend job hunting before feeling the financial pinch, the happier you’ll be with the outcome. And while you’re job hunting, also look at doing some freelancing in your field if you can – many job types, such as copy editors, writers, and spreadsheet gurus, can make decent money on the side doing freelancing work.)
Next – there are fundamental basics of job hunting. Make sure your resume or CV covers the high points of your experience and is easy to read. Make sure that your cover letter explains, succinctly, why you’re the best candidate for the job, and every time you get a nibble on a resume, send an interview thank you note. (Here’s a trick – write the thank you letter the same time you write your cover letter, update it with the name of the person you’re interviewing with, and have it printed, and in a stamped envelope to drop off in the mail box on the way out of the interview.)
Next, be prepared to work at finding a new job. Expect to make 40-50 telephone calls per week, and to send out at least 15-25 resumes or CVs per week. Be diligent in following these up. While you’re aiming for making a high quality contact, this is a numbers game. Conversely, don’t fixate on one job and get depressed if you don’t get it. Again, the numbers game rules.
Flexibility is also key in job hunting - be willing to take on contract-to-hire positions, or work through a placement firm. Be willing to relocate. Focus on the upside, and maintain your full flexibility as a prospective employee.
If times are slow, consider taking an extra class or two, or getting a certification, to help you get an edge up in the job market. More and more, employers are forced to look at certifications to avoid charges of discrimination – you might as well get them and use this to your advantage.
Finally, be on the lookout for posted and non posted jobs. Even when times are good, fewer than 20% of all jobs get publicly posted. Talk to people in companies and work with them to find jobs that aren’t publicly posted. Likewise, assume any job listing online is getting hammered with resumes and act appropriately.
Find out more about effective job hunting here.
Tej
Jun
9
A Personal Injury Case is a Job Hunt Disadvantage
Filed Under Job Hunting | Comments Off
Ajeet Khurana asked:
Job hunting is something that most of us hate doing, but can’t get out of. Perhaps you’ve just had a baby, or been downsized, or got fired because of the personal injury case you filed against the guy who practically ran you over in the parking garage. So what if the guy just happened to be the CEO. The fact is, you absolutely need a decent job with a decent income again. When you are job hunting, there are a few do’s and don’ts that act as general rules of thumb as far as things that you can do or avoid in order to nail the position. You can search online for any job hunting or resume building tips that will get your foot in the door and a seat in front of an interviewer. The interview stage alone is a process that carries with it an entirely separate guidebook on things to say, things not to say and things to do, or things not to do. When you are job hunting and preparing for that next career move, try to use some of the following tips.
1. DO have a professional resume and cover letter. Again, there are several guides and tools available on the Internet that can help you achieve this.
2. DON’ T put impertinent information on your resume. The name of your personal injury lawyer on your cover letter looks really bad. Also, your interviewer really doesn’t care that you knit booties for kitty orphans in your spare time. UNLESS you are seeking employment at a kitten orphanage.
3. DO make it a point to be honest. If you have lost a job, be honest about it. Chances are if you aren’t, your prospective employer will find out anyway. You don’t need to mention the parking garage, just be honest about the fact that you’ve been let go previously.
4. DON’T state things that bring no value to the interview. For example, if you are there because your settlement hasn’t come through yet, and you need to pay for your professional injury lawyer, you may want to leave that out. When it comes to the “Why do you want to work here question?” say something about seeking new challenges or something to that effect. They love that.
5. DO be honest about weaknesses, because you will be asked. Don’t say that your personal injury case has left you with a bad back and you can’t sit still for long periods of time. Say something that will make the interviewer reflect your weakness back on the position. “I’m a perfectionist!” works very well in this situation. Pretend you are a perfectionist even if you are not.
6. DON’T mention the word lawyer at all; not unless you are applying to a LAW FIRM. Do not use the word lawyer. AT ALL.
7. DO be prepared with an interesting topic to make easy conversation with the interviewer. Review #6 before you pick a topic however.
These are just a few general tips that can help you in the job market and pin down the position of your dreams. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. A good interviewer will be just as concerned with making you feel comfortable, as you are in getting the job. Good luck!
Maury
Job hunting is something that most of us hate doing, but can’t get out of. Perhaps you’ve just had a baby, or been downsized, or got fired because of the personal injury case you filed against the guy who practically ran you over in the parking garage. So what if the guy just happened to be the CEO. The fact is, you absolutely need a decent job with a decent income again. When you are job hunting, there are a few do’s and don’ts that act as general rules of thumb as far as things that you can do or avoid in order to nail the position. You can search online for any job hunting or resume building tips that will get your foot in the door and a seat in front of an interviewer. The interview stage alone is a process that carries with it an entirely separate guidebook on things to say, things not to say and things to do, or things not to do. When you are job hunting and preparing for that next career move, try to use some of the following tips.
1. DO have a professional resume and cover letter. Again, there are several guides and tools available on the Internet that can help you achieve this.
2. DON’ T put impertinent information on your resume. The name of your personal injury lawyer on your cover letter looks really bad. Also, your interviewer really doesn’t care that you knit booties for kitty orphans in your spare time. UNLESS you are seeking employment at a kitten orphanage.
3. DO make it a point to be honest. If you have lost a job, be honest about it. Chances are if you aren’t, your prospective employer will find out anyway. You don’t need to mention the parking garage, just be honest about the fact that you’ve been let go previously.
4. DON’T state things that bring no value to the interview. For example, if you are there because your settlement hasn’t come through yet, and you need to pay for your professional injury lawyer, you may want to leave that out. When it comes to the “Why do you want to work here question?” say something about seeking new challenges or something to that effect. They love that.
5. DO be honest about weaknesses, because you will be asked. Don’t say that your personal injury case has left you with a bad back and you can’t sit still for long periods of time. Say something that will make the interviewer reflect your weakness back on the position. “I’m a perfectionist!” works very well in this situation. Pretend you are a perfectionist even if you are not.
6. DON’T mention the word lawyer at all; not unless you are applying to a LAW FIRM. Do not use the word lawyer. AT ALL.
7. DO be prepared with an interesting topic to make easy conversation with the interviewer. Review #6 before you pick a topic however.
These are just a few general tips that can help you in the job market and pin down the position of your dreams. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. A good interviewer will be just as concerned with making you feel comfortable, as you are in getting the job. Good luck!
Maury
Jun
6
Job hunting tips during this recession?
Filed Under Job Hunting | 4 Comments
Enlightenme! asked:
I have just got out of the worst job of my life! (contract ended).
I am so relieved.
I have just got out of the worst job of my life! (contract ended).
I am so relieved.
Now I have to face the dreaded job search. Since we are in a recession, I would like to know some tips so I can find a job quicker.
I have a mix of teaching experience, customer support, and IT experience.
I greatly appreciate all your suggestions in advance!
Cristie