Posted By: Staff Editor In: Business Professional Article written by Annemarie Segaric
Whether you are currently working and are looking to make a change, or you've lost your job and are eager to get back into the workforce, this is a challenging economic climate. You can find a job but you need to do things that your peers are not. Let me share with you four things that will help you stand out:
1. Stop taking it all personally. It's frustrating to apply for positions and not get any responses. The truth is hiring managers and recruiters are being inundated with resumes and applications right now. The fact that they haven't replied to your application has nothing to do with you. By personalizing the situation, you waste time and energy, often with the end result of feeling bad about yourself. Realize that if you want to stand out from the competition, you'll have to stop wasting time and focus instead on the next best action to take.
2. Ask for feedback. Find out how you can improve your chances of being hired. When you get those opportunities to speak to employers make sure you ask for specifics: Do you have feedback on my resume? How did I do in the interview? What advice do you have for me? What can I do differently to stand out next time? Many employers welcome this as an opportunity to help someone out.
3. Be proactive. Don't just apply for jobs online or e-mail your contacts asking for leads. Pick up the phone and make sure you follow up each contact. Call your network of friends and family and remind them of what you are looking for, and ask if they are willing to help. Be sure to ask for focused assistance. Don't just ask them to pass on any leads they come across. Instead ask if they have contacts in the field you are interested in or a company you would like to know more about. Will they make an introduction? If you've had an interview and are wondering what happened, stop wondering, pick up the phone and find out. By following up, you demonstrate initiative and remind a busy hiring manager who you are.
4. Get out of the house and meet people. You may feel uncomfortable with the whole idea of networking. Here's another way to look at it. It's about getting to know people and having them get to know you. Don't go to functions because you feel you should. Find gatherings of people with whom you have an affinity: alumni, special interest clubs, exercise groups, community associations, classes, etc. Make it your intention to simply meet people--don't weigh yourself down with expectations! Be open to people and to having them get to know you. We help people we like. For someone to like you, they need to get to know you. Be interested in people and what's going on in their lives. Give yourself the gift of sharing something about yourself. If you keep the focus on building relationships you'll naturally connect with people who will want to help yo u and vice versa.
Annemarie Segaric is a respected career change coach, motivational speaker, and the author of 107 Tips for Changing Your Career While Still Paying the Bills. Ready to switch careers and don't know where to begin? Visit http://www.segaric.com/toolkit.shtml and download your own career change toolkit today!
This is a very uplifting and motivating article. Thank you for sending it. I believe the suggestions are right on the button.
Posted by: Sandi Wijaya
Nice tips!
Posted by: Denise Liwosz
Dear Staff Editor:Thanks for the tips and it's quite clear that we need to master the art of marketing our own uniqueness. Thanks,Denise
Posted by: Audrey Killings
excellent comments.thank you.
Posted by: John Gehrke
Thank you for the article. I would love to be able to 'network' and meet people who may have helpful information about local opportunities, although for me this is rather mysterious. I know the economy is a tough issue, although surely some normal turnover continues and some positions need to be filled even in a depression. The only thing I can figure out some days is to try to 'network' online such as at Linkedin.com. I would welcome any further comments and will certainly maintain a positive attitude. Thanks again.
Posted by: Sandra Johnson Fischer
Thanks for the interesting article. I especially liked the idea of networking with people with whom you have a common interest. It can be difficult to network with strangers when you don't know what you have in common, starting with a shared interest will certainly make this easier. Please keep the great tips coming.
Posted by: George Apostolakis
I started playing racketball at my local gym. I met a guy who works for a local company that was hiring. I just had a phone interview with the company. I have networked thru Linked In and Facebook too.
Posted by: Bob Spencer
I want to personally thank you for your positive "marketing" comments. They are truly to the point and creates a bigger picture to become even more proactive in the quest for a better "network" to meet people who have the same concerns; but maintain that daily attitude meet the everyday challenges under these troubling conditions called world "recession." Please continue to keep us abreast with your excellent comments. Thanks So Much.
Posted by: George Manes
It's hard to follow-up by phone when the vast majority of submissions are blind submissions; either to an agency or to a "secret" e-mail address. Call the agent? They won't tell you a thing. They have literally hundreds of resumes. Some won't even return calls.
Posted by: Tracey
I've been really down and out over not finding a job. This was a very uplifting article and has given me a little more steam to get out there and find what I want. Thank you.
Posted by: Sylvia Gallo
This article is "right on the money." Most jobseekers allow their emotions to get in the way of finding their next position. Persistence and confidence are the keys to finding the next career opportunity!
Posted by: Roger
I think it's wrong to use other people or friends, to find a job or get hired. A person should get the a job, because the person hiring believes they are right for the position. Not because they know someone or are friends with a someone. Anything other than getting the job, because the H.R. Manager thinks you can do the job, is a form of discrimination.
Posted by: Kelly
The article was very informative; however, I am a former teacher with multiple degrees, and I still cannot land a job. I have been in the classroom for the past 17 years, and have no skills other than teaching and some computer skills. Teachers are not prepared for the corporate world, do not know how to write a professional resume, and are basically stuck..teaching.As far as teachers go, you can't get water out of a rock, even if you spiffy up your resume. Face it: companies want to hire young, and not have to deal with a starting pay that matches a veteran teacher.
Posted by: Jim Alexander On: 10/15/2009 8:09:58 AM
Right on Kelly. The plight for us over educated, over qualified and over fifty is definitely discouraging. I even applied for a Supervisors position at a company that I left after twenty-seven years (for greener pastures)and received the basic standard rejection form stating " after careful consideration of your experience/skills we have decided to pursue other candidates more qualified for this position" I held that position for nine years on my climb up the ladder. Who in this world would be more qualified? My pursuant email to the HR manager is yet to be answered. You would think someone out there still values experienced/ seasoned individuals that can and will bring added value to their team.
Posted by: Claudia On: 10/20/2009 5:06:52 PM
Thanks for the uplifting article. When I was first laid off I went to a career counsuling firm who said that looking for a new job was going to be a "roller coaster ride". Boy, were they right! Your first sugggestion to not take the rejection personally is right on the money. However, I am finding out that being over 50, even with years of experience and excellent credentials, doesn't help the situation at all!
Posted by: William Petelo On: 10/24/2009 10:16:15 PM
Very encouraging and motivating comments
Posted by: Todd On: 11/5/2009 6:29:43 AM
The sad truth in today's market is that employers have it all, and job seekers nothing. Unless you can rely on a friend, your odds of getting hired until the economy improves are slim. With two degrees in engineering, I have been out of work for one year. Even the federal government told me I didn't meet their education requirements! I laughed at that one, since I more than met the requirements.The bottom line is that 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending. When 70% of it is based on that and not something like manufacturing, the economy is caught in a vicious cycle that we will not escape for sometime.My advice is to use every friend, colleague, ex-employer and source to gain employment. I use about six different headhunters, but unfortunately in this environment its really just not possible to get work.I try and keep positive that tomorrow will bring the phone call I've been looking for, but I usually just get nothing. But somehow, someway, I keep going on.Lastly, its easy for those working to say here's how to get work, and you should stay positive, but trust me, it's an entirely different story when you are the one on the frontline.
