Don't Forget About this Skill

If you are doing a self-assessment of your skills you have probably included in some form your work ethic and the fact you are a team player. However, if you are scratching your head for skills to include I recommend that you include Internet Researcher. Let me show you how you can prove or improve your internet research skills.

Research Companies

One of the most overlooked Job Search tools is not going directly to the websites of companies that interest you. For example I recommend that you create a list of 5 companies that interest you and go directly to their company websites and search for job opportunities. If you have an interview make sure that you thoroughly research the companies website prior to your interview. It will show the interviewer that you are serious about working for their company. Make sure that you are aware of the biggest current happenings at the company.

Research People

If you know who you will be interviewing with you may want to research them so that you can build a connection with them during your interview. In this case you can use websites like Linkedin, BrightFuse, or Facebook to conduct your internet research.

Research Topics

If there is information that you need on any subject then you can search for it on the internet. In short develop methods to find the information that you need quickly. Your skill in doing this could potentially benefit you at your next job.

An Interview Is Not A Job Offer

What does a job interview mean to a job seeker? Momentary relief, a new reason for hope, and perhaps the chance to get the job of your dreams. Although an interview can be a great accomplishment I want to let you all know that "An Interview Is Not A Job Offer".

If you have an upcoming interview prepare for it. Furthermore, make sure that you review the job description of the position you will be interviewing for. Practice answering interview questions and think about stories that will showcase your work experience.

Even though you should approach your job interview with confidence, you don't want to abandon your job search until a formal offer has been made. I know from from personal experience that I have slowed or eliminated my job search activities after I have been informed of an interview. One reason for my action is that I always live by the theory that all I need is an interview and I will definitely get the job. Moreover, the process of searching for a job can be exhausting.

Finally, you may interview well but your qualifications may fall short of your competition. You could also interview well and the potential employer may not be ready to hire you as quickly as you would like. Nevertheless, don't stop your job search until a job offer has been made because "An Interview Is Not A Job Offer".

Begin Your Job Search Immediately

Are you currently unemployed and planning to start your Job Search sometime in the future? If my question sounds like your scenario I urge you to abandon that thinking and begin searching for work now. Finding the job that you want takes time.

In the beginning of this year I increased my Job Searching efforts and it has began to pay dividends. I am proud to say that I have had four face to face interviews this year and three telephone interviews. However, at this point I have not secured employment.

One reason to begin your Job Search immediately is that even after having a successful first interview there may be a second and third interview that will take place before a job offer is made. A question you should ask in closing your first interview is what the time line is for filling the position. That will give you an idea of how long you can expect to wait before a hiring decision will be made.

Another reason to begin your Job Search immediately is that competition is fierce in the workforce. High rates of unemployment are increasing the number of people that you may compete with for any job. If your competition is actively pursuing work you have to be out there too. If you choose to stay on the sidelines you may end up there longer than you want to.

You may be thinking that you want improve your skills in a certain area before you re-enter the workforce. But I recommend that you build your skills on the job if possible, or at least as you search for that job. Few of us start off at any job exactly where we need to be. We have to be teachable and grasp new information quickly as we develop in our new role.

Lastly, you must determine the type of job you want and be able to communicate it in your resume. Write down a list of your transferable skills. Do a self-assessment and be honest with yourself. Determine if you have sufficient skills that will make you a match for potential employers. If the answer to that question is no then you should explore getting additional training or education. If the answer is yes then you need to begin your search immediately.

Tips for Coping With Unemployment

The following is a list of things you want to do if you are faced with unemployment.

• Find out if you qualify for unemployment benefits.
• Discuss the job loss of with your family.
• Update your resume and create a list of references.
• Create your Job Search Plan
• Make time to heal after the job loss.

If you qualify for unemployment benefits you should apply for them immediately. Even if you are unsure apply anyway so that you don't delay the receipt of any benefits you could receive.

It is very important that you discuss your job loss with your family. If you openly discuss your job loss with your family it should be easier for them to understand sacrifices that may become necessary. In addition to doing that it would be a good idea to create a budget.

It is important that you update your resume so that the job you lost is reflected in the past tense. For example you should say worked as....rather than works as.... You should also create a cover letter that introduces your resume. After you finish that create your list of references and a list of the addresses of your former employers on a separate sheet of paper because you will need that information as you complete job applications.

From my personal experience the key to finding a new job after a job loss is consistency. You can achieve this consistency by creating yourself a Job Search Plan. Your Job Search Plan will be created by you and outline the daily activities that you will attempt to find a new job. By charting your activity you will be able to see what is working and which activities need to be increased or decreased. Remember to set goals that are attainable, like the number of jobs you will apply to per day and the number of people that you will network with per week.

Lastly, the most overlooked aspect of dealing with a job loss is dealing with the emotional aspects. Sometimes if you are the victim of a termination or a permanent layoff you may find your thoughts stuck in what you could or should have done differently. While other times the job loss could leave you carrying negative baggage that could slow your progress in finding a new job. You need to come to grips with yourself the real reason the job loss occurred before you can try to explain it to anyone else.

Can't Get No Job Satisfaction

In this blog I will discuss what your approach should be for your job when you despise it. First of all I would hope that no one has a job that they despise. Especially when most of us spend more time at work than we do with our own families. However, the sad reality is that many people who are employed are not satisfied with their job.

Approach

No matter what you should always approach your job with professionalism. Your employee performance or lack of will follow you in your career. Be proactive and handle the tasks that you like least, so that they are handled without you having to be reminded by a supervisor to complete them. Make sure that you handle all your responsibilities and keep a journal of how you dealt with difficult situations. This will help when you interview for your next job.

Attitude

Your attitude can be difficult to manage even if you are the most mature employee. It is easy to feel that the job, the people, and its policies are the cause for your poor attitude. But the bottom is that you are in control of your attitude. You can make the choice to be happy or to bitterly suffer at a job that you despise.

Atmosphere

After you make the choice to be happy then do things to spice up your work atmosphere. If you have a desk, or your own space organize it or decorate so that it cheers you up. Bring in pictures of your family, your favorite sports team, or something that is important to you. If you don't have your own space then just meditate or pray in the space that you occupy. This should give you strength and help you feel renewed.

Alternative

Most of us are not working for the love of what we do. We are working to pay the bills. So when you look at it from that perspective the job you despise may not be that bad after all. If you didn't have that job you might not be able to pay your bills which would lead to another scenario that you could despise.

What's Your Season?

We are currently in the season of winter but we get daily reminder that spring is near.

What season are you in when it comes to your Job Search or Career?

Are you in the winter where opportunity seems bleak or dormant?

Are you in the spring where there is a newness in your air?

Do you sense that things are are about to bloom for you?

Are you blessed to be in the summer in your career?

You are as hot as summertime temperatures and everyday seems to be filled with sunshine.

Are you in the season of fall where your career leaves are changing colors and you are preparing for winter.

Whatever your season make the most of it.

Don't give up because life oftentimes changes like the seasons.

What Am I Doing Wrong?

The question of "What Am I Doing Wrong?" may be a common question that many Job Seekers are asking themselves. Especially after they have been searching for employment for several months. It is natural to think that you could be doing something wrong especially if this is the first time you have been unemployed. You may be thinking that your resume isn't good enough or maybe you think your resume is too long. Whatever your situation is, you may not be doing anything wrong. So stop beating yourself up because that activity won't help. Furthermore, you may be doing a lot things right and it may still take a lot time to generate interviews. In many cases there are more job seekers than there are jobs.

After several months of searching for employment you may even exhaust websites to use in your daily search for employment. My recommendation is to focus on things that you can control. I will provide a brief checklist of activities for Job Seekers:

• Get your resume critiqued and develop a Job Search Plan.
• Create a cover letter to introduce your resume.
• Ask other people you know what they are doing in their Job Search.
• Don't conduct your Job Search alone. Two minds are better than one.
• Research the companies you are interested in for job opportunities.
• Determine if relocation would increase your job prospects.
  

Know matter what never stop believing in yourself. As long as you believe there is an opportunity for things to get better. Watch your tongue and remember to speak positive things into your life.