I am tracking half a dozen job seekers right now. I met these folks after doing their resumes or coaching them as they work on their searches. It occurred to me that job seekers these days are like little ships on a big dark sea. It is tough and scary. Not everyone has the right tools. I want to help but I am not with them in their little ship. They pretty much have to steer this thing on their own.
Some of the job seekers I am tracking have been at it for a while. They are getting tired and beat up from this “adventure”. A couple are just starting out but they are changing careers or companies after long service. They don’t know what to do. One person has been at it so long her unemployment is just about over. It is tough out there. I bet you all know someone with a similar story. What can we to do help?
There are five ways to help with a nautical edge:
- Be sure your navigation equipment works. Get a second opinion on whether your resume is helping or hurting your efforts. If you keep coming up short after interviews, get coaching. You are probably unaware of the ways you could improve your interview or networking techniques.
- If you stall, readjust the sails. Turn the ship in another direction so the wind can catch the sails again. One fellow caught a new wind by networking in a different way. He checked out some new groups at LinkedIn and found new people to network with. He made some contacts and got a new feeling of hope. Another woman started listening for job openings by widening her networking base. She learned about a quiet opening through this new networking and might have an interview. This has given her new confidence.
- Don’t go it alone. Find support from other ships. You can’t just sit at home staring at your computer and phone. Get out there. Join some job seekers groups. Volunteer a little at church or at the local elementary school or charity. Go to the library to use the computer instead of sitting in your kitchen. Attend seminars and workshops for job seekers at your library or local college. The trick is not to be alone. It feels so much worse when you are alone.
- Turn on your radio. The other day I was shocked to learn that a job seeker out of work for months was not networking through LinkedIn. How could that be? He was conducting a job search without a radio. I patiently explained how this tool could be helpful. I linked with him when he set up his profile. In a week he networked with more people than he had the first six months. His search was invigorated, he felt better, and he is making better use of his time. All because he turned on his radio. Be sure you are using all the tools you could use.
- Be persistent. A positive attitude helps in difficult seas. It is tough out there. Use every trick you can think of to keep positive. A negative attitude is like garlic. It comes out through your pores. To keep positive, be sure to exercise to pull out those endorphins. Eat right. Set a regular sleep schedule. Be social. Get out of the house regularly. Look people in the eyes and be confident.
Let me know if I can help.