JOB SEARCH 101 - A Written Chronicle
The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at times just plain pathetic. It is what it is and if you are unemployed know that the job search experience is one familiar to everyone at some point and time, so don't feel alone. One of the major mistakes many job seeks make is not being able to keep the whole job search experience organized.
Remembering who you spoke to on what day, concerning what job can be a true 'mission impossible.'
There are a couple of things that can make the whole experience more palatable. Lighten up and write it all down.
1. Write down all names, numbers, address, driving directions, phone and fax numbers associated with your job search. You never know when you will be able to help someone else find a job. Remember good deeds never go unrewarded and what goes around comes back around.
2. Writing a resume for each position is essential and using the correct verbs to describe your talents and accomplishments is crucial. It is unlikely in three, five or ten years that you will remember how you described increasing those sales accounts 300%. Keep those old resumes, they will come in handy.
3. This is a very small world and keeping a record of good interviewers could land you a job in the future. Always keep in touch with people who make a dynamic impression, even if you don't get the job.
4. If you like the company and what they stand for see if they have a mentoring program or if they do community service and ask to become a volunteer. It only takes making one good impression to land your foot in the door.
5. Your job search experience will one day be an inspiration to someone or a made for television movie to someone else. Never sell yourself short and think the whole experience is worthless and boring. I have not yet seen a sitcom centered on Job Search 101.
What happened to all the people who interviewed me for jobs? What happens to all the applications and resumes? Do they go to that great resume/application cloud in the sky or are they shredded into a million tiny pieces never to be seen again. I don't waste a lot of time thinking about it, I just know that a number of folks missed out on working with a really dynamic person and that's a shame. There are probably others out there who fill the same way. Fear not, there is a job or profession out there with your name on it. If you really can't find a good paying job you can always go into business for yourself. Remember, someone made millions selling pet rocks.
About the author: Detra D. Davis has been writing how-to-books for 20 years. Author of several e-books, including Job Search 101 you can email Detra at: detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com, or by mail: J. Davis & Associates, P. O. Box 4935, Cary, NC 27513-4935. To learn more visit: www.supportingourchildren.com