Maybe it's a little extra income for the holidays you're looking for, or maybe you fell prey to an economic driven layoff from your old job. It might be a case of kids well on their own way, and you feel ready, at last, to re-enter the workforce. No matter where your job
search falls right now, though- here is a new month, full of possibilities, and 7 specific things you can do this month to get yourself back on your feet, from Jean Chatsky, career and money expert for Oprah.com.
Ask anyone with a great job how they got where they are, and you'll
probably hear that they got very lucky. But successful job hunters make their own
luck with hard work and lots of preparation. You can use the strategies
below to make sure you've got the essential ingredients for a fruitful
job search—a killer résumé and sharp interviewing skills. Looking to
help your kids find a good summer job? We've got some advice for that,
too, and now's the time to prepare for the end of the school year.
Create a Killer Résumé
Your
résumé is your chance to make a great first impression. That single
piece of paper (or, these days, that one e-mail attachment) will
determine whether or not you get an interview. Dust off an old copy and
add any new experience or skills that you've acquired since you last
looked for a job. If you've been out of the workforce, consider adding
any volunteer work you've done or classes you've taken that have helped
you hone in on an existing skill or learn a new one.
Share a
copy of your updated résumé with your friends and family, and get their
input on how you can make it sharper and more compelling. Pay special
attention to the questions they members ask. If you find you need to
explain or amplify a certain item, it may mean it isn't as clearly
written as it could be.
Practice Interviewing
You
may think that the best interviewees think quickly on their feet and
come up with smart, insightful answers (and they do), but for most of
us, interviewing is like playing a musical instrument—it takes plenty
of practice. Setting up informational interviews with former
colleagues, acquaintances and friends of friends in industries you're
interested in is a great way to polish your interviewing skills. So is
role playing with friends.
Before you head into an interview,
tell your family who you'll be interviewing with and what you know
about them and the company they works for. Have members take turns
asking you questions they think your potential new boss will have on
their list. After you answer, ask for feedback on what you could have
done better. By the time you get through that exercise, the actual
interview will be a piece of cake!
Susan Strayer, a career coach and author of The Right Job, Right Now,
suggests job hunters create an inventory of stories that they
can rely on during an interview. Think of several successful projects
you've completed, times you've taken an important role in your
employer's success and praises you've received from bosses or clients,
and be ready to briefly retell those experiences at the appropriate
moment.
Help Your Child Get a Summer Job
If you have a high school or college-age child who's looking for summer
work, he or she will need a sharp résumé and good interviewing skills.
To help them find leads for great summer

jobs, don't forget your local
network of family members, friends and teachers, says Randall Hansen,
founder of
Quintcareers.com, a website for young job seekers. In
addition, have your child check out websites such as
CoolWorks.com,
SummerJobs.com and
ResortJobs.com, all of which list lots of temporary
positions at resorts and summer camps throughout the country.
Create a Network Think of your friends as an
instant job-hunting network that can provide ideas, advice and contacts
you need. Then, branch out to family and former colleagues, says Robin
Ryan. Tell everyone you know you're on the hunt and ask them for names
of acquaintances that might be able to help you. Go on as many
informational interviews as you can possibly manage. True, there may be
no openings, but you'll have made an in for when a position is
available. The person you're interviewing with may very well know
others in their industry that you should also talk to. Plus, you'll
brush up your interviewing skills.
Target Your Search
Although it's tempting to answer dozens of want ads and send your
résumé to everyone you know, the quality of your applications, not the
quantity, is what will get you results, says Robin Ryan. "You can spend
20 or 25 hours a week looking for a job—after that you're wasting your
time," she adds.
Determine the industries and businesses
you're most interested in (and best qualified for) ahead of time and
concentrate on those contacts and openings first. Remember, targeting
also means adding a personal touch. Always send a well-tailored cover
letter with your résumé—no form letters or mass mailings.
Use the Internet Wisely
Sites like
Monster.com and
CareerBuilder.com can give you a great sense
of what types of openings are available and what kind of salary range
you can expect. And, it certainly can't hurt to answer ads that appeal
to you. But answering blind ads shouldn't be the bulk of your search,
says Susan Strayer. So often you hear nothing back. Posting your résumé
on these sites can also be a waste of time. Better to look for openings
on the websites of companies and industry associations that you're
interested in.
Be Patient It generally takes three
to six months for people to find a job, says Robin Ryan. The wait can
be frustrating, but the process gives you a chance to really evaluate
what kind of job is right for you. Devote yourself to this process as though it is your full time job; find a way to network (which might mean finding a way to volunteer your way into networking,
temporarily); rest, and treat yourself to some daily exercise (since you do have, for the time being- the time to give to it.
And- have a wonderful Monday; welcome to November!
John
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