Are you needlessly stuck in your job search - Hire Imaging

Are you needlessly stuck in your job search - Hire Imaging I’ve talked to a lot of job seekers. That’s what I do. Many of these people have found their right job fit, but some of them get stuck in their search. I’ll be honest with you. Those who find their dream jobs immediately right out of the gate in this recession are the minority. But there are many, who after discovering and applying this secret, do find what they want. Job Search: Stuck to unstuck with one word I certainly don’t question your motivation to want to succeed in finding that right job fit. But it’s bogus to believe that you’ll never find what you want and you’ll stay stuck. There is a secret. And it takes work. The word is options. I challenge you to accept and live by this principle. There are jobs out there. And I will move forward to find mine by using options. You may have tried some of these. I bet you have not tried all. Self-assess. If you have not, do this first. Inventory all your transferrable skills and interests. List both the things you like and do well, so that you can describe in striking detail the job(s) you would most like to your friends, family, contacts and employers. Tap this knowledge to move forward in your job search. The Internet. Look for employers’ job postings on their sites or job boards / other sites (CareerBuilder, Monster). Post your resume and apply for advertised openings that match your qualifications. Get seen (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook). If your social media or computer skills are back in the 90s, ask for help. It’s that important. Networking. Ask friends, family, neighbors and people in your brick-and-mortar and online communities for job leads. Make phone calls, schedule informational interviews and write emails / letters / messages to people at least five days a week. School. Ask for help from former professor or the career / alumni services at a school you’ve attended (graduate or undergraduate university, community college, trade or vocational school, high school, professional development training). Volunteer. If finances allow, volunteer to work for nothing, short-term, somewhere that interests you. It will feel good to help with something that is a cause you believe in. It’s also a way to get hired. Happens all the time. Resumes. Get yours updated. Check that it’s focused, branded and rich with keywords and metrics-driven successes. And yes, I’m actually telling you this. Mail those resumes out blindly to anyone and everyone with the caveat that you feel you could contribute to their continued success (this means doing your homework on who they are and what they need; not whether they have openings). The phone book. Use your paper or online phone book’s Yellow Pages to spot 5-10 subjects or fields that interest you â€" that are in the city where you are or you want to be. Then call these organizations for informational interviews. Dig deeper with places that interest you. Knock on doors of an employer, store, office, manufacturing plant or organization that intrigues you, whether they have a known vacancy or not. Retraining. Go back to school for training on something besides what you’ve been doing. Research what skills are in demand, what would fit for you, who offers this training, if there’s financial aid or other help with it. Think beyond whether you can afford this. Given long-term projections, it may be a very sound investment. Temp agencies. Visit temp agencies (agencies that get you short-term contracts in places that need your skills temporarily) and ask if they can place you. Get on board. It’s often a way to get hired on permanently. At the very least, it’s resume fodder. Newspapers. Answer local “want-ads” in print or online. The Sunday edition is usually the most helpful. Note that this is not the biggest ROI. But do it anyway. Affiliations. Read professional print or online journals in your field or profession. Find related groups on LinkedIn. Join them. Participate in the discussions. Get to know people who know you, what you do and may be able to help you. Government. Take a civil service exam to compete for government jobs. http://federaljobs.net/exams.htm. Go to private employment agencies www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml. Work for YOU. Start your own small business after finding out what you do well that might be needed. It could range from reselling goods on eBay to any service that taps your talents. Check out some ideas from Entrepreneur. Job Search: Pick at least three There are of course other options. Pick at least three of these. Do all if you can. If you feel stuck again, I can help.  It’s going to likely be a long haul in this employment landscape. There is always one more option. Be persistent. You can keep moving. Photo: robstephaustralia