March 27, 2009

• I thought I'd share...

  I wrote this for the KC Freecycle chat group, but thought it was pertinent to post here, as well.  Because I can.

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  Hi! We all know that times are rough, especially if you're currently looking for new employment. I would love to share some tips with you; these are all things we've found to work well for us, as Craig has just recently been impacted at Sprint. Bear in mind I'm no expert, I just play one on TV. (Also, I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in November.) Also, bear in mind that Craig is in the IT industry; your mileage with these tips may vary depending on your area of expertise.

  1. Be AGGRESSIVE in your job hunt. I've heard many people say that they've posted their resume on monster.com or careerbuilder.com or any other specialized job search website, and that's it. While that's a great option, it's not the *only* option. There are jobs available, but sometimes you have to pursue them yourself, not wait for them to appear.

  2. Network, network, network! You never know who you know! Don't be afraid to contact all your friends, families, acquaintances, next door neighbors, and dear aunt Stinky. When hunting for a job, most people we know have been *more* than happy to pass on our information to someone they know, or give us contact info for someone we need to talk to. I firmly believe that a word-of-mouth recommendation is far better than a cold interview. Granted, that's not always the case, but would you rather hire a potential employee based on their qualifications alone, or on their qualifications and a stellar recommendation from someone you trust?

  3. Update your resume. Have someone you trust go over it. Update it again. Find someone who can assist you. Remember that a resume is a first impression and that you need to sell yourself and your skills. USE SPELLCHECK. Use correct grammar. Stick to the (truthful) facts. Organize your resume in a clean, easy-to-read format. It doesn't have to be just one page long; Craig was shown a resume to use as a template and it was nine pages long! However, it went over the candidate's job history, skills, and qualifications in great detail. Show yourself off! Now is not the time to be modest. Make sure to include any relevant training, certifications, awards, and recognition. If you have proof of those things, make sure you have them handy should you need to provide it at any point in the interview.

  4. When going to an interview, take some time to make yourself presentable. If you're applying for a job in a casual atmosphere, dress the part, but don't look sloppy. Remember, first impressions are important. Wrinkle- and stain-free clothing are a must.

  5. Have a good attitude. A positive attitude on your part will set the tone for the interview. Don't talk poorly about your last place of employment / boss / co-workers. If things didn't end well, that's fine, but you are not required to discuss why you are no longer employed. Spin everything in a positive light!

  6. Use your hobbies and interests to your advantage. While looking for employment, consider using your hobbies and interests to generate extra income. Do you like to knit? Perhaps you can sell some of your knitting, or teach others how to knit. Are you good at repairing cars? Remember that people are making their current vehicles last longer by making repairs to them rather than purchasing a newer vehicle. Your services would be in high demand, if you can provide quality work at an affordable price. Find what you're good at, and let it work for you. You never know, it could lead to something more lucrative!

  7. Always have a copy of your resume with you, and be prepared to talk about yourself. When you run to the store, or to church, or to pick up the kids, you may run into someone who has information that is helpful to you. By having your resume available, you can act on that information. If you have business cards, bring those, too. Also, get contact information when needed, so you can follow up.

  I hope this helps someone. I know there are many more things that could be said, but I'm fresh out of tips at the moment. To anyone impacted by job loss, good luck!

  • 12:18 am
  • 2 Comments