Network you way to a job

Just because you are looking for a job in accounting doesn't mean it's not worth while to tell your plumber, your hairdresser, your friend's friend who's a salesman.

Most people have heard of the 6 degrees of separation, which stated that you are never more than 6 contacts away from the person you want to find.

Have you also heard that most people have a network of around 200-300 people. That is, most people know 200 - 300 people.

So just because the person you are speaking to can't hire you, doesn't mean s/he doesn't know someone who can, or at least know someone, who knows someone who can.

It doesn't make sense to ask your mailman if he can hire you as an office manager, but it does make sense to tell your mailman you are seeking a position as an office manager and can s/he think of anyone you could talk to, who may know of any position of this type.

You have to explain in easy to understand language what your job is - and this is easier for some than for others (specifically those in the computer world), but you have to if you want to get the names of people to talk to.

So get out there and network. Ask everyone you know if they know of anyone you can talk to. Make it clear that you do not necessarily expect that person to be able to hire you. You just want to talk to them and find out if they know of any companies that are hiring etc.

Job search is hard work if done right, but the rewards are worth it.

Your uniqueness can help you find work

What can you do for the employer that no-one else can? What is the uniqueness you bring to this job? Knowing that can make all the difference to your job search.

There will be a great many things that anyone looking for the same job as you will, presumably, be able to do.

For an receptionist job, for example, it is to be hoped that all applicants will be able answer phones, speak politely to clients in person or on the phone, relay messages, and many other typical reception duties.

But what is your uniqueness?

For example, if you have a second language or have lived for any length of time in another country, then when you apply for a job, mention your language and cultural experience, even if it's not requested.

If you have past experience working as a "techie" in IT, and are now looking for an office job, again especially if it is a small company you are applying with, mentioning your ability to keep computers running might make all the difference to your chances of landing an interview.

I am not suggesting it will get you into a job for which you are not well qualified, but if you have the qualifications, it might just be the thing that swings it for you if you also do a good job of the interview.

Employers, especially smaller companies, are very interested in the "freebies" employees might bring with them. So each time you see a job advertisement that interests you, think what else you have to offer that might make all the difference to this employer.

More help with job search.

Need to find a job fast?
.

Work and LIfestyle

When you are choosing what job you will do, consider the lifestyle that will go along with it. I don't mean just money, although obviously that is part of it.

Consider whether it involves shifts, overtime, travel etc. Then consider where you are in your life. Travelling a great deal may not be a problem right now, but if in the near future you intend to settle down and have a family, it may present problems in the not too far distant future.

Alternatively, if you are getting older, perhaps too much travel will soon seem too tiring, or take you away from homw more than you want.

Yes, of course, you can always look for another job when these things happen, but it's always worth looking ahead and considering if the job you are thinking of going after today will still be a job you want, not tomorrow, but a few months or so down the road.

Studies have shown that people who try to maintain a job that is contradictory to the lifestyle they crave, are unhappy, do not do as well in the job, and ultimately move over to something more compatible.

So when choosing what type of work to pursue, don't forget the lifestyle element.
.

What Questions do you have about Finding Work?

I will be answering readers questions about finding work regularly on this blog.

Send me your questions to:
jobquestions1@gmail.com

Finding a job in tough times

With the downturn in the global economy, more and more people have lost their jobs and are out there looking for work.

This also means that when you find a job advertised, there are even more people in competition with you than might have been the case in more prosperous times.

So it is time to consider other methods of finding work.

The number one way to find work is through networking, which just means talking to people.

In smaller towns this is the normal way for many people to find work. They just go and talk to everyone they know around town, and find out who is hiring.

In larger centres this is done less. But there is no reason you can't do it, no matter where you live.

Start with people you know. Ask if they know of anyone you can talk to who might know of the type of job you are seeking. Get names and phone numbers.

Call up and tell this person who gave your their number, and ask if you can come talk to them briefly about any possiblities they may know of. If absolutely necessary, do it all by phone.

If they know of some work, great. If not, ask if they know of anyone else you can talk to about this. Get names and numbers, and continue in this way until you have created a wide circle of contacts and ulitmately find work.

Obviously, hard times mean that there are less available jobs, so even this means of job search will not necessarily turn up anything instantly, but keep going. If there is work out there at all, you will eventually find it through your network of contacts.

.

Find work in the hidden job market creatively

Here are three ways to find work that is part of the "Hidden Job Market" (i.e. not advertised)

1. Go in person to any place you think might hire people with your skills and experience. If it's a small company, you may be lucky and see the owner or the manager. In a larger company this is more difficult.

Take along your resume and cover letter, and ask for the manager/ owner. If you have to, leave your resume with reception and ask that it be passed along to the hiring manager.

While you are there, if you don't see the manager, ask the name of the person who will ultimately receive your resume. A few days later, phone and ask for that person and ask if they have had a chance to read your resume.

Be prepared. If they say that they have not read it yet, be ready to tell them, briefly of your skills and experience and how you can help their business succeed.

This is the most effective way.

2. Another way is to telephone. Ask for the hiring manager and be prepared with your 30 second introduction, and ask if you can come in for a brief meeting or if all else fails, ask if you can send in your resume.

3. The third way is to send in your resume to the Hiring Manager of a company. If you do not know the person's name, phone up and ask. You do not want to speak to him/ her, you just want the name, and correct spelling for your cover letter.

Then mail your cover letter and resume and follow up a week later with a phone call to ask if you can arrange a meeting. Again, be prepared for the hiring manager to not have read your resume and be prepared with your 30 second introduction.

Don't just look for the advertised jobs. You have a much better chance of finding the job you want if you employ the above methods.

For more help in finding work check out Wow-You're Hired!

.

Facebook and the job seeker

Facebook and the job seeker. If you are on Facebook or any of the social networking sites, and also engaged in a job search, be careful.

More and more employers are checking out these sites when they receive resumes, so make sure your social networking pages are appropriate to the employer to see.

They don't of course have to be selling you for a job - although it's a prefectly good place to mention you are job seeking. But they also must not have information and photos on them that you don't want an employer to see.

So when you are applying for work, bear that in mind, and if necessary, change your social networking pages until you are happily employed again.

More help in finding a great job.

.

New Year: New Job

It's tough looking for a new job over the festive season.

Employers are not looking to hire, unless it's absolutely necessary, until the new year rolls in.

So now the new year has arrived, it's time to kick your job search into high gear.

Don't wait for the job ads to appear. Get out there and introduce yourself to as many employers as you can.

Temporary employment, especially retail, falls off after the Christmas sales are over, but that doesn't mean there are no jobs.

Consider who might hire you. Consider why they might be looking early in the year.

Write up your resume and cover letter and go around dropping them off at every place you think might be interested in hiring someone with your skills.

If you find an employer who was thinking of placing an ad early in the new year, you have a chance of getting in ahead of the competition, and getting a new job, with the ad never having to run.

Any time is the right time to go cold calling to employers. And if you ask each one who doesn't have a job for you, if they know of any other business that might be looking to hire, your cold calls become "warm" calls.

It's a warm call because now you can say "Mr. X of ABC company mentioned you might be hiring soon...." and the door opens a little wider because you are mentioning a name they know.

So, yes, any time is the right time to drop off resumes, but if you get going first thing in the new year, you have a chance at beating every one else to the new job.

Good Luck and Happy New Year.

Want more help in finding that perfect job?

.