10 tips for handling job search
A lot of people don’t really know how to look for a job. Some of us have been in the same job for years – and sometimes we got those jobs in indirect ways, through a friend of a friend, or under c
1
Apply for
unemployment benefits
Do this right away. Most employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own are eligible. If you were fired for misconduct or quit, don’t bother applying. Benefits typically replace half of your earnings before you lost your job, for 26 weeks – though benefits have been extended recently during the economic downturn. In Washington, apply at www.go2ui.com. In Idaho, go to http://labor.idaho.gov.
2
Cast your net
Start talking to friends and family about the fact that you need a job. Put the word out through acquaintances at work, church or at the coffeeshop. Keep good relations with your former boss and co-workers. Try to get introductions to people working in the fields that interest you.
3
Get help
There’s a lot of assistance out there. You can take workshops in everything from resume-writing to interviewing at WorkSource offices in Washington and the Idaho Job Service. Don’t assume that the way you applied for a job in 1993 will be the way you go about it now. Mollie Patshkowski, business solutions manager for WorkSource in Spokane, said almost all jobs now require resumes and many accept only online applications. And that interview? “People think they do well. They think they interview well. … They used to say, ‘Well, I’m a really hard worker.’ Now (employers) say, ‘Give me three examples of how you’ve demonstrated that in a job.’ ”
4
Bone up
You need to study yourself and your skills, and study the job requirements of potential employers. Polish your ability to give an interview. Think about your job experiences in ways that might illustrate specific skills. Patshkowski said WorkSource advises job-seekers to develop a “60-second commercial” about themselves – a brief, punchy summary of what makes them a good candidate, long on specifics and short on generalities and irrelevant personal details.
5
Be right for the job
When you apply for a position, don’t send a general cover letter and resume. Particularize your application and letter – do what you can to match your skills and experiences with those the employer is looking for.
6
Be polite
So many simple things can be costly, job-search experts say. Show up on time. Be neatly and appropriately dressed. Get the yard dirt out from under your fingernails. Send a thank-you note.
7
Be good enough
In the words of a Monster.com adviser, “If you happen to be the perfect candidate for the job, great. But in the much more realistic case that you’re a decent but not ideal candidate, you still may be the best applicant to emerge.” Here’s another way to look at it: “So let’s say an employer thinks you’re a B-level candidate and concludes that all the rest of the applicants are C-level or worse. If this were a class, all you’d be able to say is, ‘I got a B.’ But in this competition, you can say, ‘I got the job!’ ”
8
Work hard
“It’s a full-time job to look for a job,” Patshkowski said. Organize your job search. Keep a list of where you’re applying and when you did so – and follow up when need be. Keep abreast of news and information in the fields of your interest. Check job sites online and visit WorkSource or other job-assistance locations to stay informed about services, job postings and other opportunities. Visit the WorkSource office at 130 S. Arthur in Spokane, or online at www.workspokane.org. In Coeur d’Alene, visit the state Department of Labor office at 1221 W. Ironwood Drive, Suite 200, or the Web site at http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/ Default.aspx?tabid=1615.
9
Do your homework
Here are three books recommended by the Washington Post.
•“Career Comeback: Eight Steps to Getting Back on Your Feet When You’re Fired, Laid Off, or Your Business Venture Has Failed – and Finding More Job Satisfaction Than Ever Before,” by Bradley Richardson (Broadway, 2004, $19).
•“The Job Loss Recovery Guide: A Proven Program for Getting Back to Work – Fast!,” by Lynn Joseph (New Harbinger Publications, 2003, $14.95).
•“Fired, Laid Off or Forced Out: A Complete Guide to Severance, Benefits and Your Rights When You’re Starting Over,” by Richard C. Busse (Sphinx Publishing, 2005, $14.95).
10
Cast a cold eye on your budget
Now is no time to be spending frivolously. Examine how you’re spending money and look for ways to save. If you need to, contact your creditors and ask for reduced payments temporarily. Look to social services in the community for help.