Looking for a Job???

[Mike]

I am involved in a thread where a few people are experiencing difficulties in our downward economy. I was going to add another post with a few suggestions, and then I thought - I could start a thread where people could give general advice to the many people who are searching.

A few years ago, I was laid off from my company. At first, I had total peace, because at least the stress of a possible reduction was settled. And I accepted the Path the Lord put me on and embraced a new direction. This became harder to maintain as the weeks and months went by, and I realized how many people were competing for few opportunities.

Just a word of encouragement. This life is temporal. Try to focus on what you are blessed with instead of what you feel you don't have. As Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world." Trust in His vast Love for you and try to remain focused on things of His Kingdom.

So my company paid for an extensive transitional career counseling company who helped me make an "extreme resume makeover" as well as an overhaul in my job seeking strategy. I want to share some of their wonderful advice, and I hope those who are searching can benefit in some way.

• Scrub your resume and run it by everyone you trust to get their honest opinion. Eliminate "fluff" and use ONLY two pages to focus on your accomplishments and value. Have about 5 bullet points per job and, within each, include your accomplishments and what these resulted in that helped the company. If you have past annual reviews that include comliments, include a few quotes to highlight what they saw in you.
  
• This is neat... When you send in your resume on-line, it usually goes through a digital screen. If it fails to hit certain key "trigger words", it will be discarded and never read by a person. In blank areas between paragraphs, write a laundry list of verbs (managed, created, led, conceived) all in the smallest font you are able to use, and then change the font color to white. This list will be invisible to the reader, but it will be read by a computer, and it will be more likely to be moved on to a person.
• Develop a target list of companies within an industry you are looking for, and use this as a base. Do a search on line and add to this list as you discover more.
• Once you are sure you have your resume shining, send it out to everyone in your in-box. Don't be ashamed. Many people are out of jobs, and this is no time to be prideful. In the email, explain just matter of fact - "In this time of financial strain, my company was forced to make reductions which included eliminating my position ("my position" - not "me"). I'm embracing this opportunity to move in a new direction and look forward to learning where I can best apply my skill set." Include your resume and include key companies you are interested in. Don't assume people know. You never know who knows someone who works for one of those companies, and they might only think of them only when you mention the names.
• Network, network, network!!! If you have a laptop, go to a coffee or bagel place with wi-fi and do some work there. Get out of your comfort zone. Have a supply of resumes. Introduce yourself to people, explain briefly where you are at and ask if they will take it and pass it on.
• Talk to friends and acquaintances. Ask them if they can give you the name and number of their hiring manager. Call the manager, give the opening statement in blue above. Tell them you're not looking for a job from them, but you'd value their advice. People generally want to help people. Ask if you can buy them a cup of coffee and gain some advice over a 10 minute meeting near their work or wherever. Surprisingly, some managers can create positions, and this is a wonderful way to show initiative. Don't ask for a job per se. This will be clear enough. If they don't have an opportunity, perhaps they will know someone who does in their company or personally. Believe me, many managers took me up on this, and this is how I have my job now!
  
• A neat idea too... buy "tent business cards" that fold over. Have your name, general professional title, phone number and email addy on the front. As you flip it open, have your job experience in the middle. On the back, have a statement of your career objective. This was very unique and really caught attention. It's like a mini-resume you can keep in your wallet and whip out when you meet someone.
• DON'T PAY MONEY FOR RECRUITERS!! They almost never have more information than you'll find yourself on-line. They're often looking for people who are desperate to take money from.
  
• Create an account on linkedin.com. If you don't know about this, it's kind of like facebook, but completely professional. You build a network of connections and can be introduced to their connections and their connections, connections. If you see a position advertised, and you have a network built up, you can search for people on linkedin from that company, and you will see if someone you know knows someone at that company. I have 61 connections, they have over 24,000 connections! And they have over 2,300,000 connections!!! Think about the likelihood that one of those connections works for a company you are interested in! You can ask your connection to "introduce you" (because you can't send a message to just anyone) and GET CONNECTED!

That's what I can think of on the top of my head.

Above all, find His Peace which is beyond all understanding, and know that you are Loved! Read my signature verse. His Ways are Unsearchable and beyond tracing out.

Please, let's help our brothers and sisters out. If you have tips yourself, post them for people to consider. We're going to get through this together by the Grace of God. :yes

 

[Ashua]

I'm part of the whole "middle children of history" generation.

I have no job and have not had one in too long. I don't have connections, I don't have experience, and no one is going to give it to me (How do you get experience in the first place if people only hire the experienced?)
I never get calls for interviews. Its sort of a circular chain of vanity.

Apply for a job --even one I am certainly above in capability and no chance for interview = a bunch of time wasted = months and soon enough years tick by = future hiring businesses see you haven't had a job in X amount of time = they write you off as a bum who doesn't 'really' want a job "bad enough" and they pass you over.

 

[jasoncran]

hmm, ashua like me lives in Florida even during the boom the jobs are there but they dont pay much.

ironically, the only paying jobs in my county are the govt.

its been like that in florida for yrs as the saying goes home of the newly wed nearly dead.

but ashua, God is able.

 

[Ashua]

I don't even see the low paying jobs. There just isn't much of anything and it's not fair for my career's "reputation" to be damaged because of the economic setting.

Yeah, Jason.

"Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD."

He delivered Daniel from the Lion's den, and brought Joseph out of slavery to the right hand of pharaoh. He can stir the winds for me as well.

 

[Mike]

I'm part of the whole "middle children of history" generation.

I have no job and have not had one in too long. I don't have connections, I don't have experience, and no one is going to give it to me (How do you get experience in the first place if people only hire the experienced?)
I never get calls for interviews. Its sort of a circular chain of vanity.

Apply for a job --even one I am certainly above in capability and no chance for interview = a bunch of time wasted = months and soon enough years tick by = future hiring businesses see you haven't had a job in X amount of time = they write you off as a bum who doesn't 'really' want a job "bad enough" and they pass you over.

Ashua, I don't pretend to be an expert on job searches, but I can tell you the experience I had with this transitional company revolutionized my whole idea of what networking is. I get your frustration with resumes being ignored, but I think it might be because you're not leveraging your connections, and you do have them, as thoroughly as you could. Think about your church, your neighborhood, friends, family... The key is to use these people to get referrals to have brief face time with hiring managers. Having someone pass your name and resume along will go a lot further than your resume will do on its own. Even if it's a friend of a friend who doesn't know you. They could say, "I don't know this guy. He's a friend of a friend, but here's his resume." That alone will separate you from the stack of 300 others he has.

I really believe in this stuff, because I've seen it work first hand. If you can think of anyone you know who doesn't know what kind of work you're looking for, there's a disconnect. You just never know who or when someone will associate your objectives with a friend, family member, or acquaintance and make that connection. If you're limiting your search to sending in resumes, you will be at tremendous odds to get attention, even setting aside the ones who get a personal referral in. If you haven't tried some of the things I mentioned in my OP, I would urge you to really consider them.

 

[jasoncran]

mike. while that does work even here in old geezerville, what i describe as reality here is reality for the whole state in general

when you think of florida you think of these things:

orlando and tampa and miami, all vacation spots and add pensacola.

what industry is there here?

 

[Ashua]

Ashua, I don't pretend to be an expert on job searches, but I can tell you the experience I had with this transitional company revolutionized my whole idea of what networking is. I get your frustration with resumes being ignored, but I think it might be because you're not leveraging your connections, and you do have them, as thoroughly as you could. Think about your church, your neighborhood, friends, family... The key is to use these people to get referrals to have brief face time with hiring managers. Having someone pass your name and resume along will go a lot further than your resume will do on its own. Even if it's a friend of a friend who doesn't know you. They could say, "I don't know this guy. He's a friend of a friend, but here's his resume." That alone will separate you from the stack of 300 others he has.

I really believe in this stuff, because I've seen it work first hand. If you can think of anyone you know who doesn't know what kind of work you're looking for, there's a disconnect. You just never know who or when someone will associate your objectives with a friend, family member, or acquaintance and make that connection. If you're limiting your search to sending in resumes, you will be at tremendous odds to get attention, even setting aside the ones who get a personal referral in. If you haven't tried some of the things I mentioned in my OP, I would urge you to really consider them.

This may sound silly, but I don't even know how to write a resume for someone with such a meager work history. There is nothing significant about my experience and only one employer in my history.

 

[PouringRain]

This may sound silly, but I don't even know how to write a resume for someone with such a meager work history. There is nothing significant about my experience and only one employer in my history.

You can put a skills area on your resume and list valuable skills you have. Even the fact that you are able to use the computer. List some of the programs you can use. Also list some attributes that you have: honest, hardworking, dependable, etc. for example.

I would also begin your resume with a mission statement that sums up what you are looking for. This may include that you are looking to gain experience and secure permanent employment.

Also include any volunteer work that you have done-- at school, at church, in your community. Put down any clubs you were involved in and if you held any offices in those clubs.

If you are currently not employed, and have little job experience, one of the best thing you can do is volunteer work. That volunteer position could possibly even lead to a job down the road. Volunteering is not only a great way to gain experience, but also to gain valuable skills and to network.

 

[Ashua]

Yeah, I hear you on the volunteer work.

There is some good advice in here, forgive me for being cynical though... I ask this final thing in a "sincere" way:

Do employers actually "believe" the whole "skills list" thing? I mean, I know people do that on resume's all the time, but the notion of writing a list of attributes you feel describe yourself feels so contrived and "fake" and all around suspect that I just feel too weird writing it. Theres this voice in my head that says "this is cheesy" or "they don't know me.... Like they'll really believe this...."

Idk.. I don't mean to undermine. Ill take this advice to heart. I guess most of the places I have bothered with (retail and so fourth) don't really even have a resume' option to my knowledge. Just forms and thats it. nothing else. (I have tried calling places before. I get shut down on the phone too)

 

[Mike]

Yeah, I hear you on the volunteer work.

There is some good advice in here, forgive me for being cynical though... I ask this final thing in a "sincere" way:

Do employers actually "believe" the whole "skills list" thing? I mean, I know people do that on resume's all the time, but the notion of writing a list of attributes you feel describe yourself feels so contrived and "fake" and all around suspect that I just feel too weird writing it. Theres this voice in my head that says "this is cheesy" or "they don't know me.... Like they'll really believe this...."

Idk.. I don't mean to undermine. Ill take this advice to heart. I guess most of the places I have bothered with (retail and so fourth) don't really even have a resume' option to my knowledge. Just forms and thats it. nothing else. (I have tried calling places before. I get shut down on the phone too)

All of these points are why a piece of paper alone is not going to represent you effectively. Anyone can write anything. The key is getting an inroad, an edge. PR had a great suggestion that I didn't include - a mission statement. Even if an employer doesn't have a resume system in place, there's probably nothing saying you can't include one with an application. If you want to PM me, I can send you a copy of mine. I never have a problem passing my resume around! But again, it's finding a way to get face time with the decision makers.

 

[PouringRain]

Ashua, one thing to also keep in mind is that the Christmas season is upon us. If stores haven't hired temporary help for the holidays yet, then they will be very soon. So, this is the time to really get out there, since you are looking for retail, and try and sell yourself. Even if it is part time holiday help, it still gives you more experience on future resumes, plus you never know when something part time and temporary can turn into full time. If you can get your foot in the door, and they like you, they may be inclined to keep you after the holiday.

Also, about the attributes..... sure, I agree with you, because I can be quite the cynic as well. The few examples I gave are probably listed on the majority of job applicants resumes. Since you want to stand out, then get creative with your attributes. Thing of things about yourself that are not the standard faire. Or get out a thesaurus and look up synonyms for some of the more common attributes. Since you are looking at retail, consider listing attributes that are more specified to the place you are applying. You can change those out for every new place you apply.

 

[Ashua]

Yeah. I know phrases like "team player" and "self-motivated" make them salivate, but most places use online applications. No entry field for a resume. I'm not really looking at retail so much as I dont know of anything else I have the "proper credentials" for, but yeah.. I was banking on black friday. Doesnt look like its gonna happen but sooner or later right? Law of large numbers...

 

[pjt]

Ashua, I will second the linkedin idea. Although my husband is still searching for a job, he has had several people to contact him about possible jobs from linkedin. You just have to use every resource you can find. And there are some people that have a big, soft heart for people just like you who they want to help and give an opportunity so just keep telling people your situation that you don`t have much of a resume but you have a strong desire to work and really want someone to give you a chance. Just keep spreading the word and praying. I know it is tough. My family is looking too and I know the jobs are not pouring in. I know what it`s like to just be turned down time and again, but you can`t give up. You just have to keep pressing on. That is what God calls us to do, just keep pressing on and doing our best. Don`t give up. Have you looked at a temp company? Sometimes the temp jobs turn into full time jobs and it gives something to fill in on the resume. My husband will do contract work when the opportunity arises. Of course, his hope is the job will turn full time but even if it doesn`t, it gives us money in our wallet and something on the resume while he continues to look. Of course, contract jobs are not pouring in either but at times like this you take what you can get.

 

[Chris]

You know what, when i was an apprentice , faced with the probability of never being able to hold a drivers license again because of a blind spot in my eye. a workmate said to me your best friend is going to be education. He said what you need to do in life is study and achieve and that will help you be more employable. and he was so right.

If i could give anyone any encouragement in hard times it would be to study a job related course. It looks like you have been doing something when you are unemployed and fills the resume. It will certainly open doors in the near future when you look for work when there is a skills shortage...which will happen as soon as things pick up because some wil have retired or left their normal careers. That happened here years ago

 

[Ashua]

Yeah, Chris. I'm enrolled in college and actively taking classes. That will be my long term advantage but I'm looking for pretty much anything right now. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll keep on until something happens.

 

[jasoncran]

Yeah, Chris. I'm enrolled in college and actively taking classes. That will be my long term advantage but I'm looking for pretty much anything right now. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll keep on until something happens.

what you are majoring in?