Q & A: How to Start the New Year Right
Q:
I had hoped to land a good job before the end of the year, but it
doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. I had been out of work for
about seven months – totally exhausting my Unemployment Benefits –
before I took a position as a waiter at a chain restaurant. I don’t
want the new year to be as bad as this year. How can I start the year
off right?
A: I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
Bad
news first: today is the last business day of the year, so if you don’t
have an offer on the table, you probably won’t have one before the ball
falls.
Here’s the good news: next year starts in just a couple days.
To start the new year off right, try a few of these tips:
Relax.
An aunt once told me that things have a way of working out. I was
unemployed at the time and thought her words trite. But as the years
passed, her verbal nugget has proven to be chock-full of wisdom.
Things do
have a way of working out as long as the necessary effort is applied.
My aunt, through her wisdom, gave me a wonderful security blanket.
Network. Only 20% - 30% of all jobs are obtained online. Using that ratio, it makes sense to only spend 20% - 30% of your job search time scouring job banks and 70% - 80% of your time networking. Check out these articles and these posts for some great information on networking. And, to keep your job bank scouring to a minimum, consider a site that searches multiple job sites. I’ve checked a lot of these services out and one stands above all – that’s why this blog is, in part, Sponsored by Indeed Jobs.
Review.
It’s been said that everybody’s a "Monday Morning Quarterback." That is
to say, hindsight is always 20/20. Use that to your advantage.
Determine what worked and what didn’t. A basic rule of thumb is this:
if you didn’t get a lot of interviews, it’s probably your resume’s
fault; if you’re getting interviews but no offers, it’s how you’re
interviewing. It may also be how you’re digging up leads – are they
solid or tenuous? Your review can provide valuable insight into how to
alter your search. After all - a wise person once said “Those who
don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.”
IN THE CARAVAN: To start the new year off right, relax, review and network.
NEXT FRIDAY: Five Job Search Kick Starts
Looking for more Q & A? Check out these posts and The Lion’s Pride!
Sponsored by Indeed Jobs
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