Job Search Survival 2009
Undoubtedly, this is the
toughest year on recent record to land a new job. Reaching your career goal will take courage
and nerves of steel. Are you up to the challenge? Here are three tips for
job-search endurance that will keep you on the right track toward your
employment goal.
1.
Keep your career goal realistic.
This is not the time to
strike out in a risky career direction. Following your heart toward a career in
which you have little qualifications could yield months of frustration as you
find yourself competing against legions of candidates far more qualified. Unless
you are in the position to hold out for a very long job search, concentrate on
positions where you are best qualified.
2.
Realize it will take longer to land your next position.
If you've never
experienced a lengthy job search, set your expectations out several months and
practice patience. You will apply for many positions as the perfect candidate,
and get no response. Expect that. You will conduct perfect interviews and hear
nothing back. Expect that as well. Just remember that eventually the right
company with the right job at the right time will come your way if you stay
calm and focused and don't let discouragement keep you from moving forward.
Just keep with it.
3.
Write a better resume than your competition.
Less jobs and more
applicants equals extremely high competition. The quality of your resume has
never been more important. For the best possible resume keep these guidelines
in mind:
4.
Sharpen your interview skills.
With employers
interviewing only the best of the best, when you are chosen to interview be
sure you are your competitive best. You CANNOT “just wing” an interview and
expect to be called back for a second. Today it takes solid interview strategy
to earn a second round of interviews. Interview books are helpful, but they
usually fall short of teaching you how to read the interviewer's mind to
understand his/her hiring motivations. A study in the art of selling is more
effective to achieve great interview performance. A few basic selling
strategies include:
Throughout 2009, the
best jobs will go to those who persevere and stay focused. Keeping your
expectations and goals realistic will help prevent the emotional ups and downs.
Prepare for your job search as if you were competing in a marathon. With
patience, endurance and skill you will win your next job.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah Walker, CCMC is
a career coach helping job seekers compete in the toughest job markets. Her
clients gain top performing skills in resume writing, interview preparation and
salary negotiation. Learn more about Deborah Walker, career coach at the
website below.
Deborah Walker, Career
Coach
888-828-0814