Trish’s Jobsearch Tips

Job Search Tips and what to do when no one is calling!!!Part 2

Going down that Roller Coaster Ride of Emotions.

One of the worst issues we all have to deal with is our emotions when we are unemployed. Our emotions tend to be on a roller coaster ride. You may have been happy at first, maybe you were in a dead end job or you were just tired of it (bored). Then you realize wow, I need to find another job and fast. Or maybe you decided to take the summer off and enjoy the nice weather.

Either way you need to deal with the emotions you are feeling and get back to a level of self confidence, self assurance or you will find yourself depressed and unhappy.

This is why I highly recommend you make a schedule for your self and stick to it as much as possible. Also keeping in mind the schedule should include your job search, some form of exercise for stress relief (walking, running, dancing or working out) and personal time to do the things you never had time to get around to. But you need to stay focused, so I suggest you put on the radio or your head phones and MP3 and sit down at the computer everyday.

Be sure to keep the music low enough so you can hear the phone when it rings, when there is a recruiter on the other end. Also if you are playing the radio turn it off or down when you answer the phone. Be sure to sound up beat and Thank them for calling even if the position they are calling about is not for you, you never know when they might actually have something that might match your skills sometime in the future.

Network, Network and Network some more, and with everyone including the recruiters, HR representatives, on line at the supermarket, and on Linkedin etc.

Talking about Linkedin, check out all of your connections, and your connections, connections because there maybe someone there who can offer you a position or who may know of someone who is hiring. Linkedin gives you the choice of contacting them yourself or asking for an introduction to that person through your connection. This could be another effective tool to finding a new position. I have used this a few times as of yet I haven’t been successful but I haven’t given up.

Making your schedule should be part of your schedule, if you have a PDA you can do this through your desktop and then sync to your PDA this way you always have an updated schedule. I usually only schedule Monday- Friday accept when I have something personal I want to remember then I add this too. But I do update my task list with all of my tasks including my personal goals for the week and try to integrate them at the end of my day still allowing my 4-6 hours of time to do research , job search etc. I also try to schedule in time to update the blog. If you don’t have a PDA then you can use Outlook which ever version you have or Google Calendar which I mentioned is free. This will assist you in staying focused, at the beginning of each day you should take anywhere from 15-30 minutes to update your schedule and add your tasks, completing yesterdays, I also suggest you set the alarms so it will help you stay on task.

Deal with the fact that you are currently between positions. Deal with your current emotions, allow yourself to be angry, upset, happy and then move on. Get focused, stay on task and you will find that new position, it just may take some time.

As I mentioned yesterday it takes about 40 resumes to generate a call, you have to understand for every position out there, employers are getting on average 100 resumes.

So this is why I have stressed your resume in my blog. You need to find a way to get there attention with out gimmicks. So sit down and review what you have done for the last few employers:

• Did you help save them money?
• If so how much?
• Did create new processes that saved time and money?
• If so quantify it , give it some numbers and add this to your major accomplishments.

These should be at the beginning of your resume under your summary, before your job history and additional skills.

• Do you have a list of all your skills?
• Soft and Hard? example Premier Customer Service, Excellent Time Management, Systems, hardware, soft ware etc. I have separated mine so that it keeps it separate in their minds as well.

By adding these to your resume, your resume may get more attention and may get you that call.

I believe I have covered the emotional roller coaster ride, by staying focused it will assist you in finding that new position and will assist in keeping the worst of your emotions under control.

Well thats it for now, I am still actively looking. I received a call today from a recruiter who is interested in my resume, he has a position that he feels fits my skills. I spoke with him this morning, he sent me the job description and asked me to call him back after I had reviewed them. I did but he must have been busy, I am waiting for a call back from him. So again I realize he is working for the employer and it may or may not be a good fit. Only time will tell and if I get an interview I will let you know. Right now it is a little dry, waiting for some of the resumes I sent last week to bear fruit.

I also sent an email follow up to VP who interviewed me on position that is currently stalled. I let him know I was still interested in doing the second interview if they were able to get the position moving again. This is very important to let them know you would still be interested, just like the other fellow who dragged me all the way to the city after they had made the offer to someone else, you never know where your next lead may come from. So stay focused and don’t let them get you down.

Have a nice day

Trish

Job Search Tips and what to do when no one is calling!!!

Today I will cover some additional tips to assist in your job search, which includes a more focused job search. So what tools are you using to increase your chances on landing that perfect job? Keeping all your options open, don’t limit your job search to just one place.

How many different Job alerts do have coming directly to you? When you go to most Job Search websites, they give you the option to set up Job Search Alerts, I suggest that you setup as many as you can, it will shorten the time you need to surf the web. If you want to keep your personal email private, as I have stated in earlier posts set up email address just for your job search. Gmail, Yahoo, Aim all offer free email. Google also has many tools you can use to keep track of your appointments, tasks and calendar and these are all free.

If your search is not bearing fruit, you may not be looking in the right place. Where are you looking for that perfect Job?

• Newspapers- Most Newspapers now also have online Job postings/classifieds.

• Pennysaver-Local jobs in your area

• Websites-Search engines like Indeed

• Monster/ NY Times

• Yahoo

• Career builder

• Dice

• Employer Job boards-go directly to employer sites-look for career section, post your resume, for example American Express, Mastercard-many of these employers also allow you to setup job search alerts as well. Many of the positions on the employer boards may not be posted anywhere else on the web so this gives you a way to expose your resume to the companies recruiters and find suitable positions that match your skills. Even if you don’t get a call they keep resumes usually for up to six months.

• Recruiting Firms-many firms offer free service to the Job seeker since their clients are the employer, this allows the employer to have the job seekers pre-screened prior to scheduling an interview. Just remember they are representing the company. This will give you exposure to positions that also may not be on the web, they may even contact you about other positions that you haven’t applied for.

• Temporary Agencies-Many companies hire from the temp pool, so if you think you want to work at a certain company, you can start as a temp. I have actually used this tool several times to get my foot in the door in a company that wasn’t hiring. It usually takes about six months of dedicated service before they will even consider hiring a temp, but it can be worth the wait.

• Networking- Don’t forget to let everyone you know you are looking for a new opportunity, you may be able to tap in to the unpublished job market, go through your email address book. Send your friends something other then the latest joke, ask them if they might know of any positions that you would be a good fit for. Stay up to date with your LinkedIn

Don’t allow your self to get distracted, set aside time for your job search, if you are unemployed you need to create a schedule with tasks and allow no less than 4 hours at least 3 to 4 days per week to keep your job search on target. As I stated in earlier posts you should send, apply etc for at least 7-10 positions per day. So that is an average of 40 applications or resumes per week. It usually takes approximately 2 weeks to get a response to your application. In some cases it may even be longer. For every 40 resumes you send you may get an interview, so don’t loose hope. Don’t give up or get discouraged.

One word of warning, you may find you are getting emails from people asking you if want to start your own business-quick earnings, easy money, work from home. These are usually internet scams of one kind or another, don’t allow the allure of working from home, easy money, distract you from your job search. You can always start your own business, but it usually takes money to make money. I suggest if you want try something like this, it should be as a part time job.

Well this post covers some area’s I haven’t delved into before, I hope this has helped some of you with your job search. I rotate the sites I go to so that it keeps it fresh and I am not looking at the same jobs all of the time.

Yesterday I had to go back to Unemployment because someone forgot to post the roles from last weeks meeting, when I called Dept of Labor on Friday when I received the notice , I explained I had just attended this meeting, they told me it was mandatory and if I didn’t show up I could loose my benefits, so I went to the One Center and they told me that it was a mistake, so I wasted an hour and several gallons of gas for a mistake. I asked them when I called what happens if I had an interview scheduled? Again it was mandatory!!! Oh well, this is just one of the injustices we have to deal with as unemployed people.

Have a great day.

Trish

Unemployment and the Job Fair

Today I went to Unemployment for a mandatory meeting, it was actually the most interesting I have ever been to. They asked for our resumes and while the speaker was talking they took all of the resumes into another area and reviewed them. They marked them in red and gave them back with “Best practice” advise to everyone in the room.

Otherwise he stood there and talked about how to go about finding a new position, there were two points he made which had some small merit.

• You can target certain businesses and go there when they are least busy and drop off your resume.i.e car dealership or other small businesses (The rules would still apply, dress appropriately, and make sure there are no spelling errors on your resume)

• Take out the telephone book go to the yellow pages- I have never heard this before, go to the section that might best meet your skills and look to see who is there, if they have a website check it out, you might even be able to apply on line, if not place a call when you think they might be least busy ask if you could come by. (Hey it’s worth a shot!)

Otherwise I didn’t find anything else of import, I believe I have covered most of it already.

So on my way home there was a job fair. I knew I had to go to Unemployment, so I planned on stopping on the way back. I dressed in my suit and took along extra resumes.

Now in the past I have been to a few Job fairs and most were a bust. I found this one to be a little more interesting, most of the positions were for entry level. However I did speak to a few of the recruiters who said they may have positions at my level and to go to the website or send a further email. So who knows it might have just turned into another form of networking. Only time will tell. As with any interview you should be groomed and well dressed, as well as have many copies of your resume. Because you never know where your next interview may come from. It is a way to reach many companies at the same event and if you put your best foot forward and you are memorable then you might just get a call.

I think that covers it for today.

Have a nice day

Trish

Staying focused during the search

How focused are you? What is your current objective? You need to stay focused, don’t allow yourself to get distracted, which can be easy if you are currently looking full time.

• Stay focused

• Get up at the same time every day-allow some personal time but your job is to find a job

• Don’t get discouraged, go to bed at the same time every night

• Use your outlook calendar & tasks(if you don’t have outlook Google has free program)-create tasks with time blocks and stick to them

• Task #1 should be search various job site for a position, apply for positions online, send emails.Set up jobalerts that go directly to your email, it will help save time and eliminate the need to continually surf the web. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted.

• Keep track of who you are sending resumes to, I keep a excel spreadsheet, by date with columns for position, employer, how I applied email, online, if contacted for interview, thank you letter and follow ups

• Allot time to do the things around the house but keep them to a minimum: multi task, (run down and throw a load of laundry in, but go back to the computer) Create task on your calendar for larger jobs either before or after your alloted job search time.

• Go to the library-find a book that will assist in your job search or to hone your skills further.

• Take some time to research where your future might be and study-again create a task block off time for this either before or after the job search.

• You should be sending an average of 10 online, email applications everyday-this takes time to review and complete so be sure to allot minimum of 4-6 hours a day for this.

• Once the calls come for interviews build this into your schedule, but again don’t forget to continue to keep looking.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket-until the offer is made you don’t have a job yet

• Have you thought about starting your own business, this is a good opportunity to do some further research, you may even be able to get some assistance with this from One Center at the unemployment office.

• But most of all Don’t get discouraged. There is a job out there you just need to keep looking.

Well tomorrow I have to do the obligatory Unemployment Orientation, I believe I could give them some pointers on how to do a job search. Maybe I should become a recruiter or write a book…No news on that 2nd interview, I did hear on Friday that he is still trying to schedule it, however there is some discussion about the job duties since it is a new position. I still have some hope there, just not going to hold my breath.

Well thats all for now. I will share my great experience at Unemployment tomorrow.

Have a great day

Trish

• What to do while you are waiting

What to do while you are waiting for those call backs, I know it’s hard. But you need to continue to keep looking. Just because you have gotten a few interviews and maybe even a second interview or two. You can’t stop your job search. You may not have been a good fit, or they may have found someone who had more of a connection with the interviewer. You can’t loose hope, you need to stay in there and keep positive, the right job is just around the corner just waiting for you.

In the mean time you can do some house keeping on your cover letter and resume. Practice your interviewing skills. Think about what it is you really want and what is your bottom line financially.

• What does your cover letter look like?

• Do you sell your self in the opening line?

• Is it advertising your skills?

• Do you customize it for each position you apply for?

If not you should add a quick snap shot of your premier skills in opening paragraph. The opening should be your pitch to get there attention. Something like this: Are you looking for a motivated, flexible, problem solver who will get the job done well? Then please review my resume.

The second paragrah should then address the skills they are looking for : internal/external client relations etc.

The third should talk about being available at their convenience for an interview and that references are available at their request.

Don’t forget to sign it with Sincerely or Regards (keep it professional) Be sure every thing is spelled correctly and makes sense.

See example below:

If you are looking for a motivated, flexible, problem solver with efficient time management skills, who will get the job done well?

Then, please review my résumé, which details my considerable experience in Project Management, Residential Construction Home Services and Customer Service. My strengths are in the areas of Client/Trade relations, innovation, flexibility, problem resolution, and efficient time management.

I believe I would be ideal candidate for your (fill in the blank) position within your firm, can support your companies requirements in all areas i.e.: Internal/External Client Management, Escalation/Issue Resolution, Implementation/Tracking, Inventory Control, Budgeting, Sales, Customer satisfaction, and Staff development.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss available positions within your firm.

Please contact me to set up interview at your convenience. Business references are available at your request.

Sincerely,

• How many versions of your resume do you have?

• Do you customize it toward the position you are applying for?

You should have minimum of two or three. And then you should customize as needed prior to sending it or posting it on the jobsites.

Make sure if you are posting your resume that you don’t have too much information, just include your name, email, (phone number if you decide). With all of the privacy concerns you may want to have special email address just for your resume to prevent spam.

I think this covers most of some of the housekeeping items. Keep practicing, the more you do the more at ease you will be at the interview.

I had an interesting day yesterday, I went down to the city for an interview and when I got there the Human Resources person met me. He told me they had made an offer last night to another candidate, and was I still interested in interviewing anyway since the person they made the offer to, will be promoted in about six months and they will be hiring again.

I was shocked at how inconsiderate that was, I had come all that way for nothing, with out even a call to let me know.(my interview wasn’t until 1:00 PM there is no excuse!) In addition he kept me waiting for about a half hour. I filled out the application and still sent out a thank you note for his time, but I did mention I was disappointed that he didn’t call me to cancel the interview.

I feel like (he felt) my time wasn’t valuable. I had to turn down another interview for the same day because I had agreed to this one first. And now I am waiting for the call back to reschedule the other interview. Very frustrating and disappointing.

Well thats all for now.

Have a good day talk again soon.

Trish