Job Search Archives - Page 85 of 93 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Desperate Job Seekers are NEVER Attractive

Guess what? There are record amounts of qualified people looking for a job. I am sure that this is probably not breaking news to you or something that you care to hear again. My goal is not to insult your intelligence or cause you emotional stress. I do want to smack you with the reality of what is fact.

Outside of overbearing facts about your qualified and competing job seekers, I want to take a look at the different styles of job seekers. Where do you fit? What’s your style? Is it working for you? Why is this important? Your initial reaction to these questions may cause reflection or perhaps a bit of sarcasm. Either way it’s all good because it has initiated some type of thought.

I won’t over complicate this topic. I want to keep it easy breezy. I have three styles for us to explore: The Walking Dead, The Crack Addict and The Intentional Job Seeker. Let us not lie. We all want to believe we are the intentional job seeker because it sounds so much nicer than the other two.

The fact is that many are not intentional and definitely fall into one of the other two styles. Keep your Abe Lincoln hat of honesty on tight as we look at these styles.

The Walking Dead

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The mantra for this group of job seekers is “I want a job. I want a job.” Make sure you say it slowly and without emotion or life to get the true essence of this job seeker. Usually there are many recent graduates stuck in this Walking Dead style. The recent graduates usually fall into this category because they have been so focused on preparing for graduation that they gave no forethought to the aftermath. Sure, they may have gone to the college career center for help along with the hundreds of other graduates that did the same thing. I totally get it.

They procrastinated and now desperately need a job before that six-month grace period is over and it’s time to pay their student loans. To make matters even more intense, they have no desire to move back home with mom and dad. Truth be told mom and dad have gotten well-adjusted to being empty nesters and prefer they not return home as well.

The walking dead typically will depend on the common and more popular job portals to find a position. They also rely heavily on what they hear via another student or friend. Just imagine thousands of students in their fresh new suits with their bland resumes extended while repeating “I want a job. I want a job.” Put on your Abe Lincoln hat of honesty. Does this describe your job search? Do you simply blend in with the masses?

The Crack Addict

This job seeker is usually one that has a substantial amount of experience. Whatever the reason for their unemployment, they have become the Crack Addict. They apply to any and everything simply because they NEED a job. This style usually comes into fruition because this job seeker probably has a family, a mortgage and plenty of creditors that have become daily stalkers.

These job seekers typically have a very high stress level and the emotional state of being is quite unpredictable. They constantly talk about their NEED for a job to anyone and everyone that will listen. Their mantra is “I NEED a job! I NEED a job!” They actually can be quite scary and intense. Unlike the Walking Dead, you can’t just run away from them because they are fast and relentless.

This type of relentless activity is distasteful to most employers. Employers totally understand the need for a job. It’s the nagging characteristic that turns employers away and urges them to seek other candidates. Have you morphed into the Crack Addict? Remember Honest Abe and keep it real with yourself.

I am not here to judge. I just want to present facts and initiate self-awareness in respect to your job seeker style. Awareness is good. Once we are aware, we can make conscious decisions. Preferably our conscious decisions will shift us to our final group, The Intentional Job Seeker.

Intentional Job Seeker

This job seeker can be a recent graduate or someone with years of experience. This job seeker sets themselves apart and in front of the masses by having a plan. Your plan is yours.

You should create it and definitely get insight or help from someone that can provide quality feedback. Aunt Mary may be sweet as pie and your favorite aunt for personal advice but she is probably not the best resource for help with a career plan. The Intentional Job Seeker will be sure to have professional guidance for their career plan.

I understand you may not have finances to pay for a service. Can you barter service for service? It may be said that this job seeker daydreams too much. They will spend some quality time exploring their dream position. They also know the minimum requirements on the scale in respect to positions that they’re willing to take. This job seeker will also target specific companies.

They know the values that are important to them and the company in which they want to work. No one wants to work for a crappy company so it is wise to do some homework. This job seeker is usually a master at networking.

They will attend professional events, mingle and find creative ways to get in front of the “right” audience. These outward things are all very critical and needed. What is most impressive about the intentional job seeker is their mindset. They are not desperate despite how badly they may want or need a job. They acknowledge that they have something to offer their potential employer and are confident in expressing their value. Find ways to align your values with the company’s values. Is it a good match?

I could probably continue with more but I think this is a good easy, breezy start. Again, my goal is never to over complicate anything but a good smack with the facts always helps. Acknowledge your current job seeker style. If it’s working for you, GREAT! Keep doing what you are doing. If it’s not working, seriously consider shifting to something that serves you better.

About Bianca "Sassy HR Girl" Thompson

Bianca Michelle Thompson, Chicago native, has worked in the corporate arena within the Chicago Loop for over twenty-five years. The last thirteen years have been within the Human Resources profession. Her experiences within the Human Resources field and her personal life inspired her passion for training and coaching. Bianca has done extensive self-development, team-building and coaching coursework within the corporate and non-profit arenas and with Phoenix Arises Seminars.

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by Mark Anthony Dyson

Succeeding in the Job Search Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

At some point or another, most of us will go through the long-winded process that is the job search. It’s a tough business to be in, especially if you’re not getting the results you want. However, when you’ve done your research and have the proper information on your side, the outcome of your job search will likely come out in your favor.

This infographic, compiled by Interview Success Formula, a program that helps job seekers to deliver powerful interview answers, illustrates how job seekers can navigate through the job search today and how to do well in the process. Some takeaways to note include:

80 percent of available jobs are never advertised
20 percent of job applicants get interviews
The average length of an interview is approximately 40 minutes
The most important characteristics in a job applicant are multitasking, initiative, and creative thinking

Some other takeaway points that you should implement in your job search strategy:

Find out what are the job search tools you need to be the most competitive. If you need to have a portfolio find out what is the content that would differentiate you and other candidates.
Understand the brand differentiation for you to stand out in the field. Interviewers will compare and contrast your value versus candidates.
Be prepared to tell and show. Take the guess work from potential employers and demonstrate how your skills would translate to the open position he or she is hiring for.
Your preparedness is as good as your research and industry knowledge. Interviewing requires some anticipation of what questions will be asked to exploit weaknesses. Be ready to show that your weaknesses became strengths and were non-factors to your tremendous successes.

Check out the full infographic below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

What do you think? What are some other ways to succeed in the job search?

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

3 Things to Remember If You’re Unemployed Like I Was

Editor’s note: Drew Tewell is our contributor today. Since I met Drew Tewell, we talked daily or have exchanged ideas through our common social channels. His latest book is The Dream Job Program: Get the job you want.

“Tough times never last, but tough people do”

Robert Schuller

Being unemployed is not easy. I can say this from experience. I have only been at my current job for three weeks.

Today I want to share with you three things to remember if you’re unemployed.

1. You will find another job

This is very important. When you are unemployed, things can seem hopeless. But you must not lose hope.

In my search for another job, one of the things I did was to focus my job search. What I mean by this is that I picked one position, employment recruiter, to go after.

Having a focus for your job search will help to concentrate all your efforts and make them more effective. Meaning, you will find a job faster.

2. This is only temporary

Even though it may feel like you have been out of work forever, and even though there may be no end in sight, this to shall pass.

Another tip to help you find a job faster is to schedule your job search. I spent some time in the morning, before my son woke up, and some time in the afternoon, while my son was taking a nap, looking for work.

Having a schedule and sticking to it will help keep your job search a priority among all the other things you have going on in your life.

3. Your dream job is waiting
If you currently find yourself unemployed, why not take some time to discover and land your dream job.

And when I say dream job, I am not talking about getting your one and only “dream job”. The fact of matter is that you will probably have many more jobs spanning over your entire work life. What I am talking about is you getting the job you want at this age and stage in your professional life.

My final tip is actually the first thing you should do if you want to find a better job than you had before and that is to figure out what you want in your next job.

Years ago, after being fired from a job I didn’t like, I took some time to figure out what I wanted in my next job. I wrote down 3 things:

I wanted a job where I could help people.
I wanted a job where I could make more money.
I wanted a job where I could work with young people (I previously had a positive experience working with and mentoring youth).

I ended up targeting organizations that worked with young people and calling them directly. One of the organizations that I contacted had an opening that they were looking to fill immediately. I ended up landing a job helping people, making more money, and working with young people! In addition, this is where I started helping people with their work and careers, which is what I still do.

If I had not taken the time to figure out what I wanted in my next job, I may have never found that opportunity.

So if you are unemployed, be encouraged and remember:

You will find another job.
This is only temporary.
Your dream job is waiting.

Consider putting into practice the tips I mentioned. And before you know it, you will be talking to the right person at the right time who is hiring for the job you want.

Question: What advice would you give someone who is currently unemployed?

The Dream Job Program by Drew Tewell

If you are currently unemployed, or you just don’t like your job, and you would like to discover and land your dream job, go to dreamjobprogram.com.Enter your email address and you’ll get a FREE copy of my book, The Dream Job Program: Get the job you want (which sells on Amazon).This is the same material that I took my coaching clients through. The only difference is they paid me hundreds of dollars for it.