Job Hunt

Did I tell you I was job hunting? Did I mention how much fun it is?

No? Well, that’s because it isn’t. When I admitted to a friend that I was struggling with this she told me a new Panera Bakery is opening down the street from her. I think that was her idea of a pep talk.

Network Support

There are networks to join that offer support, suggestions, interviewing tips, ways to stay focused, and networking ideas. NoCoNet in Fort Collins meets weekly and has amazing speakers, members and support.

There are websites that give examples of cover letters, resumes and follow-up thank you notes. Or you can just search for ‘cover letter’ and see if someone’s actual cover letter pops up.

There are sites that help you with the interview process and give some behavioral interview questions to review before the meeting. Questions such as “Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult co-worker or client and how you resolved your issues” or “Tell me about a time you had to take initiative and the outcome. “ These questions are great if you’ve prepared for them but if not, you can sit there and sift through all your jobs, decide on which was the best example, then try to structure your answer and … well, by this time the next interviewee is at the door ready to come in and take your seat.

LinkedIn/ Online Job Search

There is LinkedIn.com to post your career, education, background and experiences but remember to align them to your resume.  Any potential employer will go to your LinkedIn profile before you even sit in the chair – count on that fact.

Job search sites such as Indeed.com, HigherEdJobs.com, and SimplyJobs.com will dangle some tidbits out there for the whole world to apply. By the time anyone can get down to my resume they are cranky, critical and burned out.  They are mad that they had to review over 200 applications only to find out that the one they are looking for (mine) is missing one measly item and they decide to TOSS it into the pail with the others.

Wait a second! Don’t they want to know that I am a people person with amazing communication skills? I can tell them about a time when I took initiative and the outcome of it. I can show my training techniques, writing samples and graphic skills.

In this day and age of electronic applications and submissions it’s almost impossible to get across the desk from you. But… we can change that, right?

Related articles

• Behavioral interview questions: Be the best you can be (margekatherine.com)
• Why don’t they just get a job? (margekatherine.com)
• Internet Goodie #13: Hire Me! (margekatherine.com)
• 11 Sure-Fire Things to Do When You’re Unemployed and Job Hunting (marge mercurio/ezine.com)
• Proactive Steps for Surviving Unemployment (marge mercurio ezine.com)
• Resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile (melissaaclawson.wordpress.com)
• Your Resume/Social Media Presence: What NOT to omit (socialorganizationalpsych.wordpress.com)
• How NOT to write a Cover Letter (mbjobs.wordpress.com)
• Lawyers & Cover Letters: Not just getting down to business (lawandmore.typepad.com)
• A 4 Step Reality Check for Job Seekers (money.usnews.com)