*Did you know that 50% of job seekers apply for jobs they know they are NOT qualified for?!
If you fall into that 50%, STOP! You are wasting valuable time!
In today’s job market, competition is extremely high. Even some of the most qualified candidates are not getting called in for interviews. So stop putting so much of your efforts into applications you know are out of your league and evaluate your skills and what you have to offer.
- *Make Sure Your Skills Are Current
If you are applying for jobs that require a certain skill you’d better know how to do it and be good at it! If you need a refresher course or would like to learn more take advantage of free resources online like tutorials, online skills assessment testing and how-to videos. There are even training classes for some software programs if you like the idea of an actual class setting better. Practice makes perfect!
- *Network
Get in touch with previous contacts and get your name out there to new ones. Email them, call them, ask them to catch up over a cup of coffee…reaching out will open new doors for opportunity. Former co-workers, supervisors, college professors, advisors and classmates may be able to help you find a new career by letting you know of any openings they’ve heard of or pass your name along to their employer.
If you’ve reached a dead end with all of your old acquaintances MAKE NEW ONES! Online sites such as LinkedIn are extremely helpful when looking for a career or think about joining a group in your profession that has monthly or weekly meetings.
- *Build An Online Profile
Find a way to showcase your work and the experience you have. Find and research companies you are interested in working for and try engaging with them online. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are good websites to help find their blogs and social schedules to try and keep updated with their interests and possibly meet them at a social gathering.
- *Freelance
Some people are only looking for Full time work but if you get a chance to freelance, TAKE THE JOB AND TAKE THE MONEY! Freelancing is a good way to keep your skills current, have recent experience on your resume and even gain another professional reference that can vouch for your work.
- *Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to show you care. It can also help you get hired if you can find something relevant to what you are looking for or what you have experience with in the past. Again, keeping any necessary skills current is the objective here. Also, even if you can’t find anything in your career field volunteering may open new doors creating new opportunities. At the end of the day at least you will know you are helping out for a good cause and these tasks will keep your mind off of being unemployed and worrying so much.
~To job seekers everywhere; keep your head up, stay positive and use your free resources!… And of course send WorkPlace Staffing Services your resume! 😉
*http://www.careerealism.com/things-should-doing-unemployed/#Obu09ZAq1Jh2Lqqi.99