The Stressed-Out Job Search

As happy as I am that the healthcare reform bill passed, we're still a long way from living lives without stress and with the other reactions we'd prefer to take its place.


Until then, here's some other good news (as reported in the Maplewood Patch) - the members of the Professionals in Transition group that meets in the main branch of the Maplewood, NJ Public Library are closer to releasing their stress - insurance or not.


We covered how searching for jobs, particularly those searches that extend far beyond initial expectations, have many unfamiliar and unexpected aspects - like explaining a job you do well in the space and format of a resume, cover letter, and interview. After all, these people have been learning how to do their jobs well for decades, not how to write about or discuss them.


Are you dealing with a lot of new situations?

What should you do with your life?

Tired of wondering what you should do with your life?
Start with the question, "What do I want to be good at?" (grammar be damned)

See where your thoughts flow from there.
What directions come up? What possibilities? What stories? What experiences? What friends? What heroes?

Pick one or two things. It doesn't have to be irrefutably "right" and lead to a perfect life. It just has to be worth the next step - a book, lecture, class, internship, job, trip, whatever.

Chances are you'll enjoy that journey and people you meet along the way more than if you had done nothing (again).

More "Advice from the Experts"

I recently contributed to an response on Career Builder's CBCampus.com blog (a service to college students and alumni to assist in the job search process) to this post by a student seeking more options than what she found at the career services office.

5 essentials for an effective resume

The key to an outstanding resume is getting into the head of the person reading it. How? Follow these tips!

1. The job posting is the key - Each posting lists a short description of the company, the job responsibilities and the qualifications you're expected to bring. Use a highlighter to mark the most important skills and talents they're looking for and make sure they're in your resume.


2. The resume is a sales letter - The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. So write it with that purpose. Include enough information to make it clear that they should talk with you and not more.


3. The resume is not a biography - Too many people include every detail of their life "just in case." You wouldn't put your mom's name on your resume, so don't include every detail of what you've done in school or past jobs, just the ones that would be of most interest to the person reading it. If it's not stated or heavily implied in the job posting leave it out.


4. Make the most of what you include - Employers are busy people so choose phrasing that will be the most specific and require the least thinking from them. You're the one who needs to explicitly state that as head of your science project team you delegated assignments for its 5 members and finished 2 weeks ahead of schedule.


5. Spellcheck is not enough - Read your resume aloud - twice! Then ask at least two other people to do the same in front of you too. That way you'll catch it when you write that you have 'prefect' attendance.
   

Finding the perfect job - one week at a time

Most people search for jobs online, or through a few people they know.

Sean Aiken is trying out a new job each week to find out what works for him.
Examples:
Week 2 - Talk Show Intern
Week 8 - Dairy Farmer
Week 19 - Brewmaster
Week 24 - Veterinary Assistant
Week 33 - Stock Trader

It's ambitious, he's pulling it off, and I'm fairly certain he'll end up in a place he didn't expect to be. (Perhaps being the focus of more documentaries?)

For some great videos (and ideas on what jobs are out there) visit Sean's blog - oneweekjob.com. And for help with your own career search or switch, contact me.