A job search is not what it used to be or is it?
I find too often that when others are finding a job they are using only the Internet. Using the Internet is all fine but you’ve got to get out there and do the ground work first then use the Internet as a tool not as the only way to go. Fundamentals from the ole days still work.
Here’s a few tips on how to find a job:
Ammo:
-Get your resume together that is presentable in a Word.doc and a PDF document.
-Get some business cards with your information on them (business cards are not just for business…it has your contact information on it).
Networking:
-Find someone you know that is a member of an organization and ask if you can go along with them to their events. Once you are at the event, introduce yourself to the people there and let them know what you are looking for. Ask them for their business card and then offer them yours. Build a database of contacts to use on the Internet.
-After visiting several events people will ask you to join them to go to other networking functions and then you’re on a roll.
-Find someone that is well connected with the business community and see if they will help you by introducing you to others*.
Using the Internet as a tool:
-Use LinkedIn.com as a way to broadcast your need and stay in front of the people you’ve met.
-Ask everyone you’ve met to link to you through LinkedIn.com. After you link with them look at their LinkedIn connections to see who you know and then ask them to link to you…shortly you’ll build a large database of people you know.
-*Ask your new business connections if they will broadcast your LinkedIn.com profile address with a little note to their LinkedIn network.
Rules – there are no rules:
-There are not rules to finding a job. You got to put yourself out there. Do things that others will not do.
-Remember the interview starts from the first contact. How you present yourself is huge.
-Go door to door…sometimes make a fool of yourself…ok maybe not. You never know what’s going to happen.
-Some employers say do not call us. Well then, find someone that knows someone in the company and have them call for you. You’ve got to get around the gate keeper.
-When I looked for a job, I never went through HR. They don’t make the final decision. The person you will work with does. You need to find a way around HR or the gate keeper.
Urgency:
Ok, you loose your job, you get unemployment benefit checks…don’t get comfortable. It takes along time to get a job. Even if you interview for a job, in most cases it will still take 4 to 6 weeks before you’re hired. Other people’s priorities are not the same as your priorities…they have no urgency.
Rant:
From my point of view…others have a different view. But in my view, I take whatever job I can get as long as it is in my field of expertise. We are not in the times of pick and choose. This is what I hear a lot of “I really just want part-time (job) but will take full time if it is worth my while, i.e., not too far away, salary competitive, and stress level, etc. I have not been out too much yet because I am getting unemployment…” Are you kidding me! I believe the tune will change when they are faced with starvation, creditors, foreclosure and even homelessness. Times can get bad real quick.
Summary:
Get out into the public face to face…there are a lot of people that want to help you.
By using these same fundamentals, (before the Internet existed) I was able to find work before the unemployment paperwork went through…in about 2 weeks. And yes, I’ve been unemployed for 7 months once. I begged for a job that I hated. But then I found a better job very quickly. Because of my industry “graphic design and advertising”, I’ve lost my job 5 times in my career to layoffs, closings and even a firing that has driven me to be self-employed for over 17 years. In those years of finding a job I did many things that others will not do.
See my coming to Richmond life stories here:
https://www.slgd.com/in-the-beginning-part-one/
https://www.slgd.com/in-the-beginning-part-two/
https://www.slgd.com/in-the-middle-part-one/
https://www.slgd.com/in-the-middle-part-two/
https://www.slgd.com/in-the-middle-part-three/
