Job Search Is No Joking Matter

        
   

As a member of a community of resume writers and career coaches called the Career Collective, this post is one of many responses to “How to avoid being tricked by common job search blunders?” (in honor of April Fool's Day!)

I encourage you to visit other members' responses, linked below. Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

  I want to thank Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, MRW, CPRW, CEIP (www.careertrend.net) and Miriam Salpeter (www.keppiecareers.com) for bringing this team of experts together. 

Whether you are currently unemployed or plan on changing jobs, right now is the time to get your ducks in a row!  It has been said that today's job search is not like it used to be (in the good old days).

These are some things you can cross off your list and avoid:

• Searching Sunday's Help Wanted ads in the newspapers
• Waiting for a response from the company that they received your resume
• Waiting for a response from the company that they would like to interview you, again
  
• Typing your resume and going to the "copy shop" to have 100's of copies made
• Using the same generic cover letter and mass mailing this stuff everywhere
• Logging onto the "best" job search boards to find your next job
• Waiting until your unemployment is almost over to "really" start looking for a job

Phew, no need to worry about those time commitments.  Now you can focus on the really important things!

• Identify several different job titles to pursue
• Develop a list of companies that hire those titles
• Craft your LinkedIn profile
• Draft resumes for each of job titles you are pursuing (you will have to customize each resume whenever you submit it)
• Take steps to find people who work in those target companies (ie. network)
• Nurture relationships before, during and after the search! (Ooops, but it is never too late)
• Gather information, don't ask for jobs
• Be patient. Be giving. Be kind.

If you've been in job search for awhile, this is too basic, I know.  For the advanced job seeker (which no-one wants to admit to):

1. Focus your communication. Don't send mixed messages
2. Evaluate what is working and what isn't getting you results
3. Take care of yourself
4. Ensure your reputation and brand are on the web...LinkedIn, Facebook, Virtual CV, Google Profile, etc.
5. Commit time to volunteer in something that will feel rewarding
6. Do something every day that pushes you out of your comfort zone
7. Ask for help- financial, emotional, job search
8. Do not hide behind your computer

Don't stop reading yet...Visit the expert advice for “How to avoid being tricked by common job search blunders?”

The April, 2010, Career Collective Links

10 Ways to Tell if Your Job Search is a Joke, @careerealism

April Fool’s Day – Who’s Fooling Who?, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes

If It’s Not You and It’s Not True, You’re Fooling Yourself, @GayleHoward

Don’t Kid Yourself! (The Person You See in the Mirror is a Good Hire), @chandlee

Avoiding the Most Common Blunder, @jobhuntorg

Are you fooling yourself? Bored at work? Is it your own fault?, @keppie_careers

Hey, Job Seeker — Don’t Be a Fool!, @resumeservice

Is Your #Career in Recovery or Retreat? (All Joking Aside), @KCCareerCoach

9 Ways You Might Be Fooling Yourself About Your Job Search, @heatherhuhman

Don’t get tricked by these 3 job search blunders, @LaurieBerenson

Trying to hard to be nobody’s fool?,  @WorkWithIllness

It’s not all about you, @DawnBugni

Mirror ‘their’ needs, not ‘your’ wants in #jobsearch, @ValueIntoWords

Stop Fooling Yourself about your Job Hunt: Things you may be doing to sabotage yourself – @erinkennedycprw

Same as it ever was – @walterakana

Don’t be fooled. Avoid these – @kat_hansen

Job Seekers: You Are Fooling Yourself If...@barbarasafani

Follow us on Twitter with our hashtag #careercollective

Comments

[Susan P. Joyce]

Wonderful post! Sadly, it's so true that people wait for those responses that never come - we received your resume, etc. And, also so true that lack of focus sends a mixed message to potential employers, but people feel that "being flexible" and considering every possibility is important.

Great points! Thank you!

[Career Sherpa]

Chandlee:
I would be flattered if you used it! Thanks for offering and asking. I run a career club in my town...it seems to really fill a need. Are you finding the same with your MeetUp group?

I have heard of the Check List Manifesto, but haven't read it, perhaps that's will be next. I just finished "Linchpin" and I'm onto "Trust Agents".

So much to read, so little time. Thanks again and it has been such a pleasure getting to know you and your work better!

[Chandlee Bryan]

Hannah,

This is a terrific post. With your permission, I'd like to share this with members of my Job Seekers Meetup (www.meetup.com/nycjobseekers).

Let me know if that works for you and again, thanks for the straight-forward advice. Have you seen the "Checklist Manifesto?"--makes a strong case for exactly what you've done!

All the Best,
Chandlee

[Career Sherpa]

Miriam,
I appreciate the opportunity to be part of Career Collective- incredible talent! Many thanks for your comments and keeping us all moving forward as professionals!

[careersherpa]

Dawn: Thanks! I really appreciate your positive feedback! Glad to provide the "push", it is what I love doing! FYI, I'm following you on Twitter, thanks for adding your handle!