Consider less obvious employers

When you're looking for a job, the natural thing is to think of the employers who are most likely to use your services. A Plumber works for a plumbing company, and computer programmer workd for an IT services company, a trainer works for a training company.

These are the obvious.

But when you can't find work with the obvious, or even before trying the obvious, take a look at the less obvious.

An IT guy can work for just about any company. If the company is small, he may work for 2 or more companies.

Any large institution needs all types of maintenance, including a plumber. Industrial plants need plumbers. Hospitals need plumbers. So do hotels.

And training ... government have trainer positions, many organizations use facilitators on a regular basis, that that is just another form of training. With people requiring retraining to find work these days, trainers/ facilitators are in high demand.

These are just a few suggestions. I'm sure you could come up with many more for these 3 jobs.

The point is that whatever your job, you can find work in the unlikeliest places.

So try this exercise.

Look in the yellow pages. I know - no-one reads the yellow pages any more, we all "Google" the company we want on the computer. But for this exercise, use the yellow pages.

Look at the index, and as you read down the list of the various types of companies consider how this industry might use your skills. If you think it's possible, go to the section listed in the index, and read the actual companies. Look at the ads. Consider, again, how could I fit with this company.

When you find something that might work, go to webpages as well as reading the yellow pages ads, and find out more about the companies, what they do, what they want, how they operate.

Work out for yourself how you fit, because when you contact the employer (which is the next step) YOU will have to be able to show him how you fit into this company and industry. He will probably not "do the math" and work it out himself.

Example: I am a Career Counsellor. Once, looking for a fill-in job for a while, I applied for a job as a weight loss consultant. How is this a fit (especially since I had never been on a diet)?

As I told the manager when she interviewed me, in career counselling people come to me with a problem (in this case, they need a job), I have the knowledge to help them, I am willing to listen and encourage. I support them in their transition.

As a weight loss consultant people come to you with a problem (in this case they want to lose weight), I (the job ad said they would train me) have the knowledge to help them, I am willing to listen and encourage. I support them in their transition.

The only difference is the type of knowledge I need. It's the same job. The manager nodded at my explanation and hired me.

So take time to think out where your skills, experience and training fit that is not the obvious. Then take the time to think it through so you have a viable, convincing argument for why you'd be good in this job. Your cover letter is a good place to write that, or face to face on "cold call".

In tougher times, creativity is the name of the game.

Looking for more job search help?
.

What is an Informational Interview?

What is an Informational Interview?

Well, yes, obviously it's an interview where you get information.

But how, where, when and why do you do informational interviews?

You can do them for any of three reasons.

If you want to decide what training or education to get.
If you want to know if a particular job is for you.
If you want to find a job.

An informational interview involves talking to the person who already knows what you want to know and asking them the questions to which you want answers.

How do you set up an informational interview?
You just phone, or e-mail and ask if the person could spare 10 -15 minutes to speak to you, and tell them what you want to speak about.

More detail in exactly how to go about this on other upcoming posts, but for now, just be working out who knows the information you want. Make a list and you're ready for the next step.

Need more help to find that ideal job?

.

Decide what you want to do and are qualified to do right now.

Yes, you want a job you like. I am 100% behind that choice. However, you also need to choose a job you CAN do!

Why should an employer hire you to do something he has to train you for when he could hire someone else who can already do it?

Some jobs, of course, need in house training or orientation. Some jobs will be advertised with the offer of "Will train." That's fine.

However, if you see a job that requires a specific skill, there is not much point in applying with the promise that you are a quick learner or will later take a course.

For now, go for the jobs you can do right now.

If you have aspirations for something else you can find a job that allows you to train on the job and eventually move up. Or you can take courses in the evening or online, and ultimately find the job you like.

Be patient. You can get there is that's what you want to do. But you are just asking for rejection by constantly applying for jobs for which you are not qualified.

Find out how to enjoy your job and find what you would love to do as a career.

.