A month ago I wrote this post about turning off your computer. Lately, I have been giving this advice to job seekers a lot. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER! During the normal business hours (7 am – 8 pm) you can't afford to not be seen. There are plenty of hours in the day in which you can log in, if you feel you must.
Job seekers are hiding behind their monitors. It is easy to submit a resume and cover letter online. And it is easy to say "I've done my part, the rest is up to the hiring company". That's convenient. Put the ball in someone else's court.
Here are reasons why you should feel comfortable logging off:
- Some experts say that by the time a job posting hits the website, it has already been filled or there is a pipeline of candidates.
- Your computer isn't going to offer you a job.
- Being a "best kept secret" is not a good marketing strategy for you.
- Politicians don't sit at home when they are running for election, why would you?
Have some fun, get out of your house and turn every opportunity into a chance to meet someone new. You never know who or what they'll know.
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.
