Trish’s Jobsearch Tips

How to stay motivated while, you are still looking!

Continue to Network, add your resume to as many websites as possible.

Great News! June 30th the President and Congress have signed an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment for those that exhaust their benefits. Here is an article with all the particulars Unemployment Extension

Here is a link to JobsearchAbout with a complete list of all states and their Unemployment Sites.

Additional Articles can be found on JobsearchAbout.com by Alison Doyle she has added some new sites like JobFox this is a site where you can add an interactive profile, you will be able to see what jobs are out there, who is looking at your resume etc. It’s worth a try. I have also seen other bloggers who have tried this site, it’s new, but I must warn you, that you will need some time to do this, so you may want to plan it at the end of your job searching for the day.

Don’t forget to continue Networking, keep in touch with all of your former co-workers and employers you may find they have an opportunity for you that is not published anywhere, or they may know someone who is hiring. You never know when they might be able to assist you in your job search. Don’t forget about LinkedIN.

Here are a couple of articles that might help you revamp your Resume, Cover Letter, Job Search tactics.

How to Manager your career during economic downturn. by Nimish Thakker

How to tap into the unadvertised job market by Nimish Thakker

How to unstick your job search by Alison Doyle

I know how hard it is to stay motivated and to continue looking when the odds seem to be against you, layoffs from major corporations, the recession, gas prices and price of groceries. Keep to your schedule, if you find yourself getting down, take a break go to the pool or the beach for the afternoon, go to the gym. But get back on the horse tomorrow, you need to continue your search for your own mental health. Keep your options open.

I went through the phone book to find all the local Executive Recruiters and sent them my resume unsolicited, what the heck you never know when they might get something that will match your skills and land that opportunity you have been waiting for.

Make a list of people you plan to contact, Recruiter that previously contacted you, friend, co worker, try to make a few calls everyday. You never know when they could refer you to someone who is hiring.

I have found a wonderful inspirational website you may want to look at http://www.boxofcrayons.biz.

I am still actively looking, I had a few interviews these last couple of weeks but again no offers, was contacted today by another recruiter who has a position which may be right for my skills, waiting to hear back.

I have an interview tomorrow in the city so keep your fingers crossed, maybe this will be the one! I am prepared, I spent several hours on their website familiarizing myself with their products and culture, this is necessary so you can ask the right questions during your interview, because you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

Will update you again soon, sorry it’s been so long between posts.

Trish

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

Using Google as a tool for research.

• Research any company that contacts you regarding an interview. Why? So you will be prepared and ready when you meet them for your interview. You must be informed about the company, many companies today share much of there information on their websites, you can find out if they are a formal company or more informal, lifestyle, values are some of the information you can glean from checking out their site.

• Google your former employers, co-workers etc. so you can link with them for your Network. LinkedIn lets you send a email directly instead of sending it from your own email. You can ask them for a recommendation as well. You can also ask them if there are any positions available within the firm.

• Google your self to see how high you come on the page. The higher you are on the page, the easier it is for someone else to find you. (just a reminder if it is a Facebook or MYspace entry you want to correct this as soon as possible) Have their been any press releases with your name included? Even if it’s not business related it’s okay. You may find yourself more than once, this is good. Usually the average person has about 3 entries. The more entries the better. (but most of us aren’t Paris Hilton or Brittney Spears so we won’t have 1000’s)

Well today was a research day, I spent the day researching several things.

Today I spent the afternoon researching and reading, about the company where I have my interview. To become familiar with their products and services. As well as the type of firm they are, looked up their competitors and their press releases. I plan to be prepared for my interview, I will be interviewing them as well, is this a company I want to work for? (More about this next week when I cover resumes and interviewing.)

I also found one of my former Directors today using Google, she is now a Vice President for a large IT firm. I sent her an email requesting she link in, I also asked her to submit a recommendation as well. I asked if there were any opportunities she knew about that might suit my skills. In addition I also sent my resume so she could see how my skills have improved since we worked together. If she thought there was a position, she would be able to forward it on my behalf. (Networking at it’s best)

Well I think this is enough to ponder for now.

Have a great weekend

Trish

Networking

Six Degree’s of Separation has been proven in many way’s, it’s odd how small the world really is. When your looking for a new opportunity it’s not always what you know , but who you know!

Make a list of all of everyone you know, for example: your former employer’s, peers, friends, parents, siblings, your children teachers, your next door neighbor, etc.

You may not find this an easy exercise however that opportunity is out there, you just need help finding it. I know it’s hard and may even be a little frightening. Speak with everyone you know, let them know you are looking for a new opportunity. Don’t be intimidated, this is your chance to Network.

Do you keep in touch with with former co-workers via email or instant message? I know it’s hard but let them know your looking and see where it goes.

Or Send a email to your former co-workers, let them know your looking for a new opportunity, ask them if they know of any positions that might be available. Or ask if they might know of another company that might be hiring.

If you run into the little league coach in the supermarket, strike up a conversation and let him/her know you are looking, tell him what your looking for, ask him if he knows anyone who might be hiring could he/she give you a name?

Who do you know?

When I found I was going to be looking for a new opportunity, I started talking to my former peer’s on instant message. I had found a position online at a company where one of my friends work, mentioned that I had submitted my resume. My friend walked over and talked to the hiring manager for me. As it turns out they were looking for someone more experienced.

However the Human Resource person has called me regarding another position, and now he is working with that hiring manager to schedule an interview in the near future.

I received another call today, to schedule an interview for a position I submitted my resume to yesterday. I submitted my resume through LinkedIn Job’s, as it turns out I have a connection to the hiring manager through my former employer. The interview is now scheduled.

So as I said it is a small world, there really is six degrees of separation, and it’s out there just waiting for you to find it!!!

I will keep you informed as things progress.

Have a great day

Trish