Following is a guest post by Laurie Turner, an employment and career counselor with Jewish Community Services of South Florida, a social services agency which is the largest non-profit [501(c)(3)] Jewish social service agency in South Florida, JCS provides critical help in the community, such as care management for frail seniors; counseling for families in crisis; and employment skills for developmentally disabled adults. Laurie also works with JworksMiami, an employment service which helps match job-seekers and employers.
-------------
Looking for a new job? Not getting paid to do it? If you take your job search seriously, you may realize sooner or later that you have a new full time job for which you are not getting paid. There may be a direct correlation between the amount of effort you put into searching for a new position and how long it takes you to find one! So, how do you approach your job search? Do you wake up in the morning, get dressed, have breakfast and hit the ground running? Consider planning your day’s activities to include some time at your computer searching for postings, time attending networking events and some time with friends and family to let them know what you are seeking. Make sure you have developed your “elevator pitch” so you can articulate, in a concise manner, the type of position you are seeking whenever you have the opportunity.
Applying to 100 positions per week? It is probably impossible to do a thorough job of applying to this quantity of jobs. Consider applying to less than 10 and do it properly. You can research the company or look on linked in to see if anyone you are connected to has a connection with the company. If you find a possible connection and a position that is a good fit, reach out to see if the person can refer you to Human Resources. Many companies offer their employees an incentive if someone they refer is hired. You could be doing the employee a favor and helping your own cause at the same time. Submit a version of your resume and cover letter that best markets you for the position you are applying for. If you are invited for an interview, prepare, prepare, prepare.
Figure out how to distinguish yourself from the pack. Prepare to answer standard interview questions but also take the opportunity to reveal a little about yourself that will make the interviewer remember you. Email and snail mail a thank you note. You will certainly be noticed! Use the thank you note to tell anything you may have forgotten to share during the interview. There are sample resumes, cover letters and thank you notes on the internet. Don’t take shortcuts! Go through the above steps for a week or two and see if you are able to jump-start your job search. If you are stuck, get unstuck! Keep a positive attitude, try to relax, exercise, take care of yourself (i.e. eat well and get enough sleep)! Hopefully, sooner or later, you will get the results you are looking for!
