1st Steps In The Hunt: Daily News For Job Hunters and Recruiters

interbiznet.com

S P O N S O R S

RECRUITERS

EXECUTIVE
SEARCH FIRMS

1st Steps In The Hunt: A Free Online Daily for Online Job Hunters

Keep Active

March 26, 2002

The fastest growing sector of the Job Market is in the Service Industries, and has been for nearly two decades. While some Jobhunters shun these industries for a variety of reasons (low pay, lack of prestige, etc.), sometimes the best way to move forward in your work-life is to take action of any kind. Jobhunting is pretty demoralizing, and daily doses of rejection can lead to paralysis.

While few career counselors will recommend jumping on the first Job opportunity that rears its ugly head in the form of a 'help wanted' sign at your local greasy diner, the fact remains that work begets more work. For Jobhunters several months into an intensive Job search, part-time employment helps get you back into the routine work flow. Even a volunteer stint can boost your morale, and help others as well.

Another advantage to taking a seemingly dead end Job for a short while is it increases your circle of acquaintances (read: Network). Jobhunters have an unfortunate tendency to isolate themselves from the rest of the world, reflecting the common misperception that self worth is no more than net worth. And to all too many people, net worth is the product of one's weekly salary. If someone tells you they're making $80,000/yr in their first few years out of school, you'll probably start asking exactly what it is they do and how you can go about doing it too.

Jobhunting is work, and needs to be treated like work. Discipline yourself (or get someone else to do it!) to get up at your usual time just as if you had a regular eight hour shift to complete. Budget time for lunch, and celebrate your 'free' time and weekends as special. So often Jobhunters spiral downwards after the first month or two of frustration and rejection.

Life is about the stories we create, and working is a substantial part of our lives. Therefore couching your Interview time with potential Employers in terms of a series of memorable stories makes for a much more vivid impression than merely chronicling your educational or work history. Weave together anecdotes that show your character and 'can do' attitude in work and non-work environments. Hiring Managers are using more behavioral questions these days, so practicing your 'story' until it suits you is one way to leave a lasting impression.

Some quick reminders that should go on your bulletin board:

Be open to new opportunities - most Jobs come from small companies you've never heard of before.
Employers want to know about your future, not your past "What can you do for my company tomorrow?" rather than "What have you done for other companies in the past?"
Spell correctly, dress appropriately, look 'em in the eyes, use positive body language, and ask for the Job!
Don't BS too heavily when asked "What's your greatest weakness?" Answers like "I tend to put in too much voluntary unpaid overtime", or "My unrelenting pursuit of Quality" are simply not credible, and weaken the rest of your otherwise honest answers.

-Mark Poppen

******************************************************************************************

The interbiznet Bugler

Keep on top of the news that impacts your JobHunt.

Read the interbiznet Bugler Today.