Unemployment is still extremely high (9.6% in August) with a large number of discouraged individuals who aren’t currently looking for work and who are not even counted in these figures.

Whether you are currently looking for a job or have temporarily stopped looking, Alison Doyle offers some great job search tips on her About.com – Job Searching site for you to consider.

If you are currently unemployed or seeking a new job because you’re miserable going to work each day, here are some suggestions I often give my clients:

1. Create a 30 second elevator speech to introduce yourself to everyone you meet
2. Begin networking with family, friends, acquaintances, and alumni from your college
3. Join social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to connect with old colleagues or to meet new professionals in the field
4. Join social networking groups to meet like minded individuals
5. Check out members of  your local Chamber of Commerce
6. Review the Classified Ads in your local newspaper
7. Prospect with companies you’d be interested in working for
8. Visit job boards and online job sites on a daily basis, but don’t make this your only job search strategy

By changing what you’re currently doing and engaging in some new and different strategies, you may find yourself getting a more responses from employers from all of those resumes you’re sending out.

The most important decisions we make often occur while we are relaxing on a beach, enjoying a calm weekend with loved ones, taking in the beauty of nature, or in the peaceful hours of our day. Living a life of balance requires determination and persistence to really make it happen. It also requires letting go and enjoying what we have already accomplished.

For more information on work-life balance, please take a look at the resources put together by my colleagues at About.com.

Combining your career with other meaningful experiences you want to accomplish in your life, is what work-life balance is all about.  To achieve work-life balance you must develop strong organizational and time management skills to keep yourself on target. Creating balance in our life will help to make our lives less stressful and more enjoyable in the long run. 

If you are in the process of leaving your job or have recently lost your job due to downsizing or company lay-offs, stress management is particularly important to maintain the vital energy and positive frame of mind that’s crucial for an effective job search.  You may want to try Herbert Benson’s ‘Relaxation Response‘ technique for some quick relief from stress.

1. Keep Motivated & Maintain a Positive Approach in Your Job Search

Being proactive in your job search requires a conscious effort in maintaining a positive attitude especially after you’ve just received several “personal” rejections.  

2. Focus on Your Goals yet Remain Flexible in Your Job Search

Establishing and developing strategies in reaching your individual career goals will help you achieve success in the job search process. 

3. Create Targeted Resume & Cover Letters

With the fierce competition in today’s job market, it is crucial to develop a resume and cover letter that stands out above the rest.

4. Increase Your Professional Network

Learning how to network early in your career can be beneficial no matter where you are in the career process.

5. Prospecting for Jobs

Checking out company websites, researching employers with potential jobs in your field, and networking are all excellent ways to uncover unadvertised jobs.

6. Become an Entrepreneur

Do you have advanced knowledge in a particular area (math, English, foreign languages) or possess a special skill (playing an instrument, art, martial arts computer programming) that you could use to tutor others? 

Best of luck in your job search!

A successful job search includes much more than browsing through the Classified Ads of your local newspaper each day and posting your resume on one or two job search sites online. Since 85% of jobs are never advertised, other strategies are required to get results. 

Networking with family, friends, previous employers, faculty and alumni from your college can often lead to amazing results.  Even if they don’t know of any open positions immediately – you can ask them to keep you in mind should they hear about something opening up.  Prospecting with employers of interest to see if they have any current job openings is another technique you might also want to try.

Today I am going to list some of my favorite job sites on the web.  Each day many people contact me saying that they’ve tried everything possible and still haven’t been able to land a new job.  In addition to networking and prospecting as we discussed above, here are some of my top resources for finding a new job.

• Indeed.com
• SimplyHired.com
• LinkUp.com
• Idealist.org
• Job-hunt.org 
• usajobs.gov

You may find that your old job was no longer meeting your individual goals and career expectations but you never considered leaving because it felt safe and provided a sense of security that you were afraid to give up.  Individuals needing assistance in finding a career that matches their own personal attributes, may want to take one or more career assessments to help them better understand themselves and the types of jobs that may be a better fit.

Before searching the classified ads and online job sites, job searchers may find it beneficial to take some time to explore career options.  Today there are many job search engines available to help people to explore careers. Career counseling can also be useful in assisting individuals in establishing goals and researching career options that may better meet their career expectations.

Job Fair Success Strategies

How job seekers actually approach a job fair can greatly affect its outcome.  Maintaining a positive attitude and creating a professional image can help job candidates develop an aura of confidence that sets them well apart from other potential candidates. Although attending job fairs is only a very small part of any job search strategy, there are few opportunities available where job seekers actually get to meet individual employers prior to obtaining an interview.  It is therefore essential that serious job candidates thoroughly prepare themselves prior to attending a job fair.  Listed below are 8 job fair strategies that will not only increase a candidate’s likelihood of success, but will also make them more comfortable with the entire job fair process.

8 Keys to Job Fair Success:

1. Do your research.

Take time to research participating companies prior to the job fair. After deciding which companies you most want to meet, take time to check each of their websites to learn more about the company and the jobs they have available.

2. Dress professionally and create a favorable first impression.

Since first impressions are critical when searching for a job, dressing professionally for a job fair makes perfect sense.  Conservative business attire is often preferred for both men and women but business casual may be appropriate for certain jobs or professions.  Also, attention to detail is important so be sure to wear comfortable, neat, well-polished shoes; carry a professional briefcase; go light on applying make-up and perfume; and ensure your hair is clean and well groomed and your nails are neatly manicured.  It is best to downplay tattoos and additional body piercings whenever possible. Dressing professionally relays the message to employers that you are a serious job candidate and you are fully engaged in the entire job search process.

3. Be prepared and develop a plan.

When arriving at a job fair it’s wise to first study the layout of the fair and check to see if any additional employers have been added to the list.  In addition to your resume, be sure to bring several pens, a notepad, and business cards to hand out.  You may also carry a cheat sheet that reminds you of important information on the companies you most want to meet. One job fair strategy you might want to employ is to plan on meeting your first choice employers first and then move on to your second and third choices.

4. Bring lots of resumes.

Be sure to bring extra resumes to the fair.  You may end up handing out more than one resume to participating employers, so it’s best to maximize your efforts by bringing an ample supply of resumes to avoid running out.  Make sure your resume is well prepared and looked over by at least one (preferably more) other person.  You may decide to bring along different versions of your resume. Targeting your resume to specific jobs and/or employers offers an opportunity to focus on specific skills and accomplishments that’s required for certain jobs or professions. Resumes should always be printed on professional white, gray, or ecru resume paper and free of photos or fancy fonts.

5. Meet and greet employers.

Since first impressions are critical in the interviewing process, be prepared to assertively introduce yourself with confidence and enthusiasm. Maintain direct eye contact, offer a firm handshake, sport a genuine smile, and show enthusiasm – since these are all attributes employers generally look for in their job candidates. Be prepared to give each employer a 30 – 60 second elevator speech that highlights your career objectives, strengths, interests, relevant skills and the type of job you are seeking. Be prepared to answer questions such as why you want to work for this particular company or why you feel that you would be an asset to the organization.

6. Practice and prepare questions for the interviewer.

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice, practice, practice. Be sure to write down any vital information on the back of the employer’s business card to make it easier when you go to follow up.   Be prepared to ask each employer questions including how you can best arrange for a second interview.

7. Be prepared to network.

Career Fairs are all about networking.  It has been estimated that between 50% and 75% of all jobs are found through networking. By networking with recruiters, other job fair participants, and professional associations and/or employment agencies participating in the fair, you can increase your personal connections and improve your chances of getting called back for a second interview.

8. Don’t forget to follow up.

Following up with recruiters is one of the most important things job fair participants can do immediately after the job fair. Sending a personalized thank you note to each recruiter you meet, identifies you as a thoughtful and serious job candidate that they will want to get to know better.  By restating your interests in the company and your qualifications, you will likely be added to a list of potential candidates as future positions open up.  You may decide to enclose another copy of your resume with your letter to ensure that the employer has your information available.  Following up a thank you letter with a phone call can also increase your chances of being called back for an interview.

Remember there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually get a job by attending a job fair; but even if you don’t get offered an interview or a  job, you are taking positive steps that will increase your chances of finding a future job through the contacts you make and the networking you do at the fair.

Helpful Tips for Finding Your Dream Job

Self-Assessment

First, it’s important to thoroughly assess your personal values, interests, strengths, and personality so that you can best match your individual characteristic to a career that offers opportunities to learn and grow in ways that are important to you.  For those having difficulty assessing their own personality, skills, and values, there are career assessments that can help with the process. 

Career Exploration

Doing sufficient research on career options will help you identify potential opportunities and assess those options that are best for you based on your personal values, strengths, and interests. Networking with professionals in the field, doing informational interviews, and perhaps participating in a job shadow or even an internship may help to further solidify your interest in a particular career field. 

Decision Making

You may find yourself with several interests and feel totally confused and undecided.  If so, you may want to do more research to develop a better understanding of your choices.  Once you decide, you will need to explore the qualifications and requirements for the job.  You may find that you are qualified already or you may find that you will need to further your education by taking a class or committing yourself to completing a professional degree or certification program. Once you research the training and qualifications required, you will have a better understanding of what’s required to make your decision a reality. 

Plan of Action

 Creating a plan of action makes your career decision real. Whether it be searching for a job or an educational program, you can begin to establish a plan that makes your dream possible. Creating specific targeted objectives to help you reach your goals is the best way to achieve success.

 The Journey

Although changing careers can often be scary, once you begin the process it can be exhilarating to find yourself in control of making your dreams a reality.  A career that meets your unique personal traits and characteristics will lead on a new journey that will help you grow personally in new and exciting ways.  As the Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

When we discuss goals, we want to look at both – personal and professional. We are looking to achieve life balance that will ultimately help us lead a happier, healthier, & more prosperous life. We may decide that we want to improve our nutrition and lose weight or we may look into taking a class that will stimulate us and give us an opportunity to gain additional skills and knowledge in a particular field of interest. 

With a new year and a new decade, establishing goals can help motivate us into achieving a more quality life for both ourselves and our families. Even though we continually hear horror stories about unemployment and the increase of the number of Americans currently out of work, each of us has the power to embrace a new attitude and create strategies that will bring us closer to a more fulfilling and rewarding life.                     

If you are seeking a job, what objectives can you come up with to get you closer to the new job or career that you are seeking? Developing a stellar cover letter and resume, practicing your interviewing skills, learning new job search skills, and doing some career exploration to uncover career options are some of the things you can do to help  achieve your goals. Why not make a commitment to discipline yourself so that you can look back on 2010 with pride and a sense of satisfaction?

If you haven’t done so already, you will want to check out LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals.  LinkedIn provides an opportunity for professionals to connect and communicate with individuals who are currently working in their particular field of interest. LinkedIn also offers a chance to connect with people who know people you know in your network.

In today’s economy it is extremely important to use a number of different strategies when conducting a job search. Networking, reviewing online sites and classified ads, and prospecting with companies you’d like to work for are all effective strategies to uncover both advertised and unadvertised jobs that exist in the current job market.

Job Fair Success Strategies

How job seekers approach a job fair can greatly affect the outcome.  Maintaining a positive attitude and creating a professional image can help job candidates develop an aura of confidence that’s not possessed by the majority of the competition. Although attending job fairs is only a very small part of any job search strategy, there are few opportunities available where job seekers get to meet individual employers prior to obtaining an actual job interview.  It is therefore essential that serious job candidates thoroughly prepare themselves prior to attending a job fair.  Listed below are 8 job fair strategies that will not only increase a candidate’s likelihood of success, but will also make them much more comfortable with the whole job fair process. 

8 Keys to Job Fair Success:

1.       Do your research.

2.       Dress professionally and create a favorable first impression.

3.       Be prepared and develop a plan.

4.       Bring lots of resumes.

5.        Meet and greet employers.

6.        Practice and prepare questions for the interviewer.

7.        Be prepared to network.

8.        Don’t forget to follow up.