anotherlook

With unemployment up and homelessness on the rise, here are a few things you can do to combat this happening to you. Keep moving!!

When you are first laid off sometimes fear overtakes you. The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing, however this is not the time to be paralyzed with fear and only actions can alleviate that fear. Stay positive and keep moving.

Search the want ads in your local newspaper. If you have access to a computer, look up jobs you may be interested in or businesses you may want to work for. Read the job descriptions listed for any particular job you have experience in and tailor your resume to the job description without exaggerating.

Keep moving, the public libraries usually have public computers with a printer - pay for a print out of your resume and make copies of the original. Another thing to check for while searching classifieds is the type of work available because returning to school may be necessary and this will allow you to be aware of where the jobs are.

Update your professional resume. Be brief but specific in your previous job descriptions note any accomplishments or specific projects you have been successful at. Printing your resume out on paper other than white helps make your resume stand out. Keep moving.

Send out as many resumes as you can for jobs you currently qualify for, each and every week. Stay focused on this by keeping a journal of which jobs you have applied for to include: name of business, date you submitted resume, position you applied for, contact name and number of hiring person.

Cold call businesses you may be interested in. Ask for personnel and ask if they are accepting applications. Check with temporary agencies

Don’t be shy. If you have not heard back from a contact within a reasonable amount of time (a week or two), call to inquire about the position you have applied for. Your job search journal will help you organize who you have called and any other notes acquired from the call.

Stay Positive. The search for a job can be time consuming but the reward just may be that you get the job you want. However, if your skills are geared to something that is not versatile in the job market, you may want to consider retraining. If you have a family grants, loans and scholarships may help you on this level but be prepared to fill out lots of forms.

If you are lucky enough to get an interview, these are the types of questions you may be asked:

- What was your biggest accomplishment in your last job?
- Tell me about yourself (does not mean on a personal level but a professional level).
- What do you see as your strongest point?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Explain how you have been a team player.
- How do you prioritize your work load?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What would you bring to this position?

Depending on the type of job you are interviewing for they may ask you hypothetical questions that would apply to the specific position you have applied for, I call them the “what if” questions. Prior to the interview, consider any “what if” questions you could possibly be asked.

Interviews can be nerve shattering. Breathe deeply as you wait to be called into the office. Reflect on the positive and prepare yourself for the questions to come. Appear upbeat and positive once the interview starts and when possible remember names as you are introduced to the interviewing panel.

Offer a firm handshake and a direct look in the eye as you meet the interviewer. Stay focused, during the interview as well as when the questions are being asked. Depending on the position, the interviewers may have a printout of questions to ask, each panel member asking a different question. Breathe deeply as they are taking notes in between questions.

Send a thank-you note after the interview (if you have remembered names you can personalize the letter with the names you have remembered). Again, after the interview, if you have not heard from them in a reasonable amount of time, call to check the status of the position.

If you like children and have a few college credits, check with group homes. Sometimes the turn over rate is very high in places like that. Check with the city, county and state personnel offices to see what is offered that you may qualify for and keep your relocation options open when possible.

Whatever you do, do not let fear, negativity or anxiety take over. These are trying times but when you arrive on the other side of this chaos, you will be stronger for the experience and will have possibly learned some important lessons, not least of all, that you held up and survived the pressure.