Jobless after all these years–tips for how to really get a job

What are your strategies for getting a job?

Your Rant: I am at wits’ end. I have sent out hundreds of resumes, responded to tons of want ads and handed out my business card everywhere I go. But nothing is working.

911 Repair
Your email reminded me of a Belgian man who recently died of a gunshot wound to the chest. No, it wasn’t a burglar or an armed robber. He was taken out by his own gun. Let me explain. To make his home safe, he’d set up a variety of booby-traps using hunting rifles and explosives. Yep, he ended up shooting himself.

Unfortunately, just like that Belgian man, many of us fall prey to our own booby-traps in our career. I’ve listed some of the most common below. For more traps, and strategies to overcome them, check out “Dancing Naked” by Robert Chope (New Harbinger, 2000).

Do you accept that times are tough? Most of my email today begins, “I’ve never had trouble getting work before, but I’m having a tough time now…” Well, times ARE much tougher. First, be careful not to be too hard on yourself. Chances are this job hunt will take longer and require more effort. Second, keeping your emotional sanity during this time is very important. I’m a big believer in celebrating every little victory along the way.

Are you limiting yourself to the want ads? The want ads are like that basket of bread that the waiter brings to your table. Something that’s great to nibble on, but you’re in trouble if you your entire diet is based upon it. Surf the want ads, but also use the yellow pages to find local companies that you’d like to work for.

Are you letting your friends and former coworkers help you? I have a simple rule. People who know you will usually do more for you than people who don’t. Yet most of us are wary about asking our friends and associates for help. Let it go. Approach every person that you ever did a favor for. Some will let you down but you’ll be surprised at how many will have a valuable tip or contact for you.

Are you getting all the help you can? There are all kinds of resources out there: librarians who can help you identify local companies, re-training programs and job counseling. Don’t let your pride get in the way, get all the help that you can.

Are you using your imagination? Years ago someone wrote in to say that she’d gotten hired by looking on the web sites of venture capital firms. She would then contact the start-ups they’d funded to see if they were hiring. She said that start-ups had a lot less bureaucracy and she landed more than one job this way.

Most of the challenges today in getting hired are based on the economy. But at least some of the problem is based on the way we’re conducting the search. Remove your own personal booby traps and you just might find that a job is much easier to find.

Workplace911 Pulse:

What is the key to getting a job during tough times?

• What you know, 5.5%
• How much effort you put into your search, 23.1%
• Who you know, 71.2%

User Generated:

I was just reading your site and I thought I’d send another tip/strategy for those “suddenly seeking jobs.Teach! After receiving an MBA in Entrepreneurship, I too struggled with real world application of my degree. While my search was made easier, due to my years of teaching experience and employment as an attorney, companies did not see the value of hiring an “idea guy.” (Yes, I considered not practicing law). Nevertheless, as a teacher of business law and a small business consultant, I have found the opportunities for employment to be far more numerous than many believe.