The beginning of the work week. You either dread it or love it, either way, it is here!
What are the three things you will do this week to move forward in your job search toward a more rewarding and fulfilling experience?
Stop relying on the job boards
Job postings are not the fastest way into a new job. They aren’t a guarantee for an interview. They may not even be real. In other words, the company posting it may be “trolling the waters” to see if they get anything or they may have already identified who they want to hire and have to go through the motions of posting the job.
Let’s not forget, that when you submit your resume and cover letter, so will hundreds of other people. That’s a lot of competition.
Cast a Wider Net
The best time to consider relocation or to commute for a new job was yesterday.
You want to have options. Read this post Casting a Wide Net about how to expand the scope of your search. While we’re talking about options, also consider taking a temp or contract job. Some work experience is better than none, for the short term at least.
No Excuses
Quite honestly, when I hear someone has been out of work and looking “really hard” for over a year, I tend to think there is something else going on. I know that’s horrible. But I bet hiring managers also tend to wonder why no one else has hired the individual.
It would be much easier to hear that the person has been doing contract work, picking up odd jobs, volunteering– anything other than “I’ve been unemployed for over a year.”
So where’s the motivation in this you ask? Instead of making excuses for why you haven’t been able to find work, spin this into something positive. Turn lemons into lemonade. Make the most of this time. Do something.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
