Controlling the Controllables

There are many things that we can not control during a job search. But this blog is not intended to enable underachievers. This blog is being created to inspire those who are striving for success. In order to achieve anything you must set some goals. When you set goals you are taking control over your situation.

For example you can not make an employer call you.  However, you can attempt to increase your chances by setting a goal for the number of companies you submit your resume to.  If you don't have a resume or if your resume needs work you can set a goal of devoting a specific amount of time to creating a new resume. In each scenario you are in a proactive mode that allows you to focus on what you can control.

Our mindset and attitude are other things we can control. Life may be tough for you but you can choose to look at things from a positive perspective or a negative perspective. A positive perspective will eventually lead you to uncovering some new opportunities. A negative perspective will mentally drain you and leave you stagnant.

Breathe life back into your job search by setting attainable goals and rewarding yourself when you achieve them.

Job Searching Resources

There are many online job boards like CareerBuilder, Monster, and HotJobs that are common places to search for jobs. Some people may be thinking that they have put their resume on every online job board and they need new resources to fuel their job search. So the question becomes what should I do next?

I recommend that you utilize every community resource. You can start with your local library. Most libraries have computers for public use. Remember to bring your flash drive so that you can save your work. They also have books on creating resumes and cover letters. The libraries I have visited are hosting career workshops and they are FREE! 

If you have a church home find out if they are running any programs for people who have suffered job loss. Many churches have career ministries that can be utilized for people who have questions. In addition to getting career information, you can get spiritually uplifted.

I also recommend that you check out your local television stations websites. They have job information from companies that post jobs directly on their website.

The goal of a successful job search is to equip yourself with as many tools as possible to land yourself an interview.

How many resumes should I have?

It is a good idea to have multiple resumes if you have specific skills that can be used in different industries. For example if you were a Sales Manager you could potentially have one resume for sales and another resume for a management position.

I have noticed that when people try to fit multiple skill sets into one resume it creates a lengthy resume. A lengthy resume is not bad if it is justified, but remember that it is your job to quickly capture the attention of the reader of your resume and show them how you could fit into their organization. Don't forget to use keywords relating to your industry because many times companies don't even read resumes anymore, they have software that scans the resumes in their database to find candidates for open positions.

When you try this two resume approach it allows you to be specific about what content you will use for each resume. Creating an industry specific resume will likely shorten that specific resume and it may show some gaps in your employment history. You will address this by attaching a cover letter with your resume explaining your specific qualifications and overall employment history. 

Take a look at Industry Data

If you are unsure of what career you want to pursue next there are two things to consider. First, I would take a  career assessment. You can find FREE career assessments online at websites like monster.com and thebeehive.org. A career assessment should help guide you in the right direction. Secondly, I would research industry data.  According to an article in the Jobs section of the Sunday Detroit Free Press you should research industries and job sectors that are experiencing worker shortages or still experiencing job growth.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated figures every month on occupational job growth. The following sectors have gained jobs this year: health care, education, government, food services, and IT(Information Technologies).

Ultimately, if you are considering going back to school or getting additional training then it would make sense to get training in sectors where there is job growth.