It’s no secret that we’re experiencing a tough job market right now. With millions of people currently unemployed in the United States, everyone knows at least one person who doesn’t have a job. The good news is that this person doesn’t have to be you!
Andrew Serwer, the managing editor of “Forbes” magazine, reports that the farming and ranching industries have the lowest unemployment rates in the country, which explains why Wyoming and South Dakota aren’t suffering from staggering job losses. For those of you who don’t feel inclined to dust off your cowboy boots, there are actually some other industries that are fairing relatively well. They include:
- retail
- health care
- business and finance
- state and local government
- hospitality and food services
So, if you’re thinking about entering into one of these industries, NOW is the time to act! To help you out a bit, we’re going to shine the spotlight on some common misconceptions and mistakes that many people make in their quest for a job. For example, do you think that job hunting on the Internet is the best way to get the position of your dreams? Think again! Check out our insider tips that will help you land the perfect job:
Resume – high importance. Your resume is usually the first thing that potential employers see when they look at your application. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Revising your resume – low importance. Contrary to popular belief, if you have a resume that you can feel good about, leave it alone. In terms of time, it’s better to write a custom cover letter for each job application than to constantly revise your resume.
Salary negotiation – high importance. If you don’t need to make money, you can ignore this piece of advice. But for the rest of us, learning how to negotiate our salary is an important step towards getting a fat paycheck.
Sending out unsolicited resumes – low importance. Your likelihood of getting a job by just submitting a resume to a random company is pretty low. Especially when compared to networking and other effective job-searching techniques, unsolicited resumes are pretty low on the priority list.
Preparing interview questions – high importance. By preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewer, you are demonstrating that you are serious about the position. Research and rehearse your answers so you look well-prepared for your interview!
Surfing for jobs on the internet – medium importance. Wait, why isn’t this a high priority? Doesn’t everyone find their jobs on the ‘Net these days? This is not necessarily true. Looking for jobs on the internet can be very time consuming. A better way to search for jobs on the internet is to customize job-searching websites so that they will email you new job notifications. This way, you can have jobs that are tailored to your interests delivered right to your inbox.
Networking with friends and family – depends. Either low or high. Networking should start with people who have contacts in your desired companies. If family or friends can help you meet with friends in the company, that’s even better. However, if you just ask your acquaintances, “do you know anyone who is hiring?”, you may come up short with such an open-ended question.
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter – high, medium, and low (respectively). Many businesses use LinkedIn to scout out potential employees, so make sure your profile looks professional. Facebook can help you keep in touch with colleagues, but be careful about what you post on your profile! While there’s as lot of talk about Twitter, it’s primarily used as a means of communication between friends, not necessarily a career site.
Research on the company before the job interview – high. The more you know about a company, the more impressed the interviewer will be that you did your homework! Your knowledge will convey your desire to work there and a genuine interest in the business.
Training – high. Get as much education as you can! The more you know, the more valuable you become to a potential employer, especially if you have a college degree. Certificates and other degree programs are also a useful way to boost your knowledge of your given industry. Attending workshops, reading books, and listening to webinars and speeches will also give you an educational leg-up from your competition.
Staying Up During Down Times
Why so sad, America? The understatement of the year is that being unemployed can be a bit of a downer. Too many down-sized workers lose the motivation to look for another job. After all, it’s a tough world out there right now! These former workers have a lot on their plate: coping with the economic recession, dealing with their emotions, controlling their finances, and managing their time.
However, it’s important to remember that getting through a rough career patch is tough, but definitely not impossible! There’s optimism, creativity, enthusiasm, and confidence inside all of us, and those traits will serve you very well when looking for a new job. So, how do you beat the rejection blues and stay upbeat during down-times? Check out our ten steps to boosting your morale and landing the job of your dreams.
Step #1: Think positively
Instead of allowing negative self-talk like “I’m not good at…”, begin each day with a positive statement. Don’t make excuses for yourself! If you put yourself out there and have nothing to lose, what’s the worst that can really happen?
Step #2: Yes you can!
You can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself. Yes, it’s a little corny, but when potential employers see that you’re confident in your own ability to succeed, they will be confident in you too!
Step #3: Make a to-do list
By setting small, attainable goals for yourself, you will be able to boost your morale by checking the accomplishments off your list each day.
Step #4: Reward yourself
If you meet a goal, give yourself a little break or reward. Make sure to take some time for yourself so you don’t suffer from job-searching burn-out!
Step #5: Ask for help early on in the game
Get some helpful advice and assistance before you get really frustrated. Never say no to a helping hand—you never know when a thoughtful tip might lead you to a great job.
Step #6: Realize it’s all a numbers game
It’s pure and simple: the more jobs you apply to, the better your outcome will be. Activity results in success, and success breeds motivation. So get cranking on those applications!
Step #7: Keep a schedule...
...and stick to it! Having a schedule will keep you motivated and on task. Even for the best of us, time management can quickly become overwhelming and formidable. Having a written schedule will allow us to keep track of what needs to be done.
Step #8: Build a support network
If you’re looking for a job, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re not alone. Job seekers need people to talk with, challenge them, and give them ideas and inspiration. Your support network can be anyone from friends to family to former professional colleagues. And, who knows, maybe one of them has a job connection for you!
Step #9: Surround yourself with motivation and positive thoughts
Do whatever it takes to keep yourself upbeat and motivated. Hang posters, print out motivational sayings on the internet, and keep positive slogans around. The more you see them, the more you will believe them.
Step #10: Never give up
This is the most important step to getting a new job. Persistence is the true key to success, so keep at it!
