Over the past few months I have talked with many of New Jersey’s unemployed and have found that many of us have lost our job searching skills over the years. I remember back when I graduated from college and I was looking for my first job and the countless hours spend licking envelopes, writing cover letters and knocking on doors. Doesn’t anyone do this anymore? Probably not right. If I was on the unemployment line today I would be working the full circuit and networking with everyone I know and then some. With number of jobs throughout the state declining and the number of people waiting on line for their unemployment benefits rising you must get competitive.
Button up Your Resume: In today’s competitive market place I recommend that you have two if not three different versions of your resume. Selling only one version of you might be limiting yourself and I would recommend that you expand your career search into areas that are growing or that are compatible with your strengths. This is a great time to overhaul your career and to find something that you truly love.
Meet Your Recruiter: Most people don’t take the time to return calls from recruiters much less meet with them. However in this market I would give this a second thought. Meeting with a recruiter will put a name with a face and most likely separate you from those that won’t. It will also give you the chance to interview them and to make sure that you have the right person representing you. If you are looking for a list of New Jersey based recruiting firms you can access them through the New Jersey Staffing Alliance at www.njsa.com. Lastly, I would meet with your recruiter to get some tips and advice and possibly a free resume review.
Apply in Person: Get out of the house and start applying. If you know where you want to work go knock on the door and ask for an application. Of course you may not walk out with an interview however if you leave with the name of an HR person you’ve elevated yourself above your competition.
Mail Your Resume: Everyone today is caught up in this post and coast mentality. They post their resume to a job online and wait for a recruiter or human resources manager to call them back. Instead of applying everywhere I would recommend taking a more strategic approach. Find the companies where you really want to work and put yourself out there by mailing your resume along with a cover letter.Show more interest in the companies where you truly want to work and you’re likely to get more bites.
Find a Usergroup: Most established industries these days have National Associations with chapters serving their local markets. Take some time to dig online and find an association that serves your industry and get to a meeting. The local chapters typically meet once a month and this provides a great opportunity to network. Attending these meetings and will put you in touch with the hiring managers and the experts that know where the jobs might be right now.
Brand Yourself Online: Over the past few years linkedin and other social networking sites have finally found their place in the workplace. Many people these days are using these tools broadcast their professional skills in the hopes of getting picked up on the free agent market. Now is the time to learn more about these technologies so you can use them to locate the hiring managers and make yourself more visible.
If your search for a job right now I can only imagine how tough it is out there but don’t loose hope.The road ahead maybe long and discouraging but you have to keep trying.I am firm believer that when you truly want something it comes to you when you are ready for it.So keep on keeping on.
Calling All New Jersey Job Seekers
Over the past few months I have talked with many of New Jersey’s unemployed and have found that many of us have lost our job searching skills over the years. I remember back when I graduated from college and I was looking for my first job and the countless hours spend licking envelopes, writing cover letters and knocking on doors. Doesn’t anyone do this anymore? Probably not right. If I was on the unemployment line today I would be working the full circuit and networking with everyone I know and then some. With number of jobs throughout the state declining and the number of people waiting on line for their unemployment benefits rising you must get competitive.
Button up Your Resume: In today’s competitive market place I recommend that you have two if not three different versions of your resume. Selling only one version of you might be limiting yourself and I would recommend that you expand your career search into areas that are growing or that are compatible with your strengths. This is a great time to overhaul your career and to find something that you truly love.
Meet Your Recruiter: Most people don’t take the time to return calls from recruiters much less meet with them. However in this market I would give this a second thought. Meeting with a recruiter will put a name with a face and most likely separate you from those that won’t. It will also give you the chance to interview them and to make sure that you have the right person representing you. If you are looking for a list of New Jersey based recruiting firms you can access them through the New Jersey Staffing Alliance at www.njsa.com. Lastly, I would meet with your recruiter to get some tips and advice and possibly a free resume review.
Apply in Person: Get out of the house and start applying. If you know where you want to work go knock on the door and ask for an application. Of course you may not walk out with an interview however if you leave with the name of an HR person you’ve elevated yourself above your competition.
Mail Your Resume: Everyone today is caught up in this post and coast mentality. They post their resume to a job online and wait for a recruiter or human resources manager to call them back. Instead of applying everywhere I would recommend taking a more strategic approach. Find the companies where you really want to work and put yourself out there by mailing your resume along with a cover letter. Show more interest in the companies where you truly want to work and you’re likely to get more bites.
Find a Usergroup: Most established industries these days have National Associations with chapters serving their local markets. Take some time to dig online and find an association that serves your industry and get to a meeting. The local chapters typically meet once a month and this provides a great opportunity to network. Attending these meetings and will put you in touch with the hiring managers and the experts that know where the jobs might be right now.
Brand Yourself Online: Over the past few years linkedin and other social networking sites have finally found their place in the workplace. Many people these days are using these tools broadcast their professional skills in the hopes of getting picked up on the free agent market. Now is the time to learn more about these technologies so you can use them to locate the hiring managers and make yourself more visible.
If your search for a job right now I can only imagine how tough it is out there but don’t loose hope. The road ahead maybe long and discouraging but you have to keep trying. I am firm believer that when you truly want something it comes to you when you are ready for it. So keep on keeping on.