Posted on 08/16/2010 11:29:37 AM PDT by erod
Hello FReepers! I’m writing this post because like many I’m struggling to get a job and I need some help. I’m about to embark on my job search again (I took a three-month-hiatus to work a part-time marketing job to get some more experience) and I want to know if any of you had luck with a specific type of job searching technique.
Maybe you knocked on doors, networked, or buried yourself daily in classifieds? I want to know what techniques worked for you or what techniques didn’t work for you. I’ll try to make this short, but here is a little bit of my background and my plan. I’m a 26-year-old Chicagoan (don’t hold it against me please), with a degree in Journalism from The University of Iowa and I have approximately two years of experience working in higher education part-time as a recruiter, and three months working part-time for a close friend of mine who’s starting a business.
My plan is to use his connections and try to get in contact with 2-3 people a week and when I’m not talking with contacts I’ll be looking at job listings applying for three a day. I hope my approach works and please share anything that has worked or hasn’t worked with you. I hope this thread can help others like me who am uncertain of what to do in their job search. Best, Erod
This may not help you at all but I know of a man who had lost his job. He must have gone a year with no prospects. Well, he copied his resume and went to every place/location that could possibly hire him. There were no jobs posted at the time but he asked if he could leave the resume with them. (He showed up clean cut and in a blazer and nice slacks). After two months, he got a call from one of the places asking him to come in for an interview. Apparently, a person had resigned and rather than go through the entire posting process, they pulled applications/resumes. He had not even remembered the place since he had gone to so many and simply asked for the address. He got the job. I guess what I am saying is even if there aren’t postings, please consider just doing what he did. Best of luck and good wishes your way. Just a thought
You probably don't want to hear this, but my suggestion is to go back to school and get some training in a technical skill that is in demand. Journalism degrees aren't much use unless you go to work for a publication, and entry-level jobs are scarce right now.
The best online resource is “Indeed.com”. They comb newspapers, all the professional job sites, and company web sites. Do a radius search around your ZIP code using either a few key words that describe your knowledge or what your are looking for.
Also, go to the federal jobs location, USAJOBS.gov. The government is always hiring and they often pay relocation costs.
Are you looking for a job? [FR]
You need a good resume, get someone who knows you to read it and critique it honestly. Since you have a degree in journaliam you should be able to write a decent cover letter, which you can then tweak for each possibility.
I get over the transom resumes all the time (from lawyers & law student & secy types). What causes me to put them in the “round file” are bad cover letters.
Remember, the purpose of the resume/cover letter is to get you the interview. Then you have be positive, show energy & enthusiasm. You’d probably be amazed at how many people seem basically comatose during job interviews. If we get anyone with even a spark, they go to the head of the line.
Good luck!
Be competent, and don’t ask for too much.
Take an entry level job to gain experience and connections.
Don’t expect promotions or big raises early in your career — you have to move around between companies for that. Once you are higher in the food chain, you might start getting promotions and raises within your company, IF YOU ARE COMPETENT, and IF YOU ARE POPULAR/POLITICAL.
Having networking connections is HUGE. I’ve never searched for a job — my friends bring them to me. I’ve also never gone in to an interview without knowing I was getting the job, and what salary offer I was supposed to accept.
I would add to everyone else. Get out there and talk with every contracting company you can. Get a meeting with all of them. Have your resume ready and be ready to edit it to their tastes.
Don’t let 2 companies submit you for the same gig. If they do you won’t get either.
CONTRACTS Turn into regular jobs if you are a hard worker. Even if they don’t they get you income and more contacts for the next job.
Be prepared to learn and study while in that contract.
Take what you learned and use it to get the next contract or get hired.
Good Luck!
I work as a career specialist in Florida for a Regional Workforce Board. Do a search of where yours is locally and make a trip to see them. They have the “in” as far as who is hiring.
Cindy has the best job locater thread going on FR now.
Sitting around applying for jobs will do no good. Nobody wants to hire those who were laid off. Look for a new job before you get let go. The recruiters will pay more attention.
Ok first thing you do is go talk to your friend, you know the one who is fun to hang out with and is also a supervisor at X-company. Tell him/her you want to get your foot in the door you would love to work for him/her and will work at whatever he want’s you to. Tell him the next job opening is yours.
Wait for him to get you in. Once in do a great job, everything else will follow.
Volunteering will help as well. And not just “do gooder” stuff. You wont make good connections in the soup kitchen (although it will be good for your soul.) But work at charity events, civic events, stuff like that. You will be surprised at who you will meet—and who they will know.
And then go work for the do-odder stuff....(really!)
For you:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2525821/posts?page=191#191
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lookingforajob/index
For All:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2525821/posts
Are You Looking For A Job? (Summer Edition)
Various Sources/Job Links ^ | Updated June 2, 2010 | n/a
Posted on June 2, 2010 12:25:41 AM PDT by Cindy
Here’s two cent worth to add:
My husband was “let go” the week before Thanksgiving last. The company was “kind” enough to pay for him to go to a recruiter/prep-type organization. This, ultimately, led to his present job (he landed this within two months...) at the same salary as the last. So, I think using those types of resources might be good.
Also, my son landed the excellent job he is in through a high school friend who smoothed the way into the company. He’s doing well because, among other things, he’s been willing to move to head up a new contract the company landed. A history major working as an IT business analyst!
Finally, my father’s experience has been, as an engineer, to use trade magazines - many of which advertise job offers or contacts in the back pages.
Good luck - bon chance - God be with you!
Thanks B4Ranch and thanks for the ping.
Ya, I feel that way too, but I need a job and I’ll move mountains to get it.
Awesome advice Al, I think I’ll do just that.
I do have a degree in journalism, but I’m going back to school to get another one in marketing . I work part-time and I’m helping a start-up, but I agree it’s absolutely essential to get a degree for a good career.
It really is unfortunate that Obama was elected. This is my first experience with job hunting and it’s been very frustrating, the only comfort I take is:
1. It will get better one day (probably in 4 years).
2. Obama will be out of work in 2 years.
Best of luck to you in your job search FRiend.
Thanks I’ll give that a look.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.