As a professional resume writer, I’m on the front lines, interviewing job seekers every day. Here’s what I’ve found to be her biggest challenge: getting interviews, plain and simple. There is also the handling of the disappointment of not receiving an answer. Eventually, they think it’s my resume, since it’s been 4 months since my last interview. Very few people know how to market themselves effectively and it also seems that building and using your network is something that most are too busy or timid to do.
I think the computer age and the popularity of television have made most people less connected to other people than in recent history. In my opinion, a lot of people have to know that people still hire people. Not computers, not websites, and you probably need to expand your network of connections if you don’t already have an internal connection to a job.
BNI International, known as BNI on the internet, is a large networking group that has local meetups where each member talks for a minute about who they want to help or where they need help. After all the introductory speeches, you mingle and meet warm connections who already know you from your introduction. This facilitates better connections for everyone. Which leads to more people getting the help they need. It sure is better than wasting more time reading job ads that are being bombarded with 1000 resumes each or fake.
I recently contacted David Arnold, who works for the Department of Labor and Training in the Boise, Idaho area as a workforce consultant. He said, “The two big things for me were having that consultant review my resume and practice interviewing with me and then networking to find the job and get an interview.” David is a great believer in the power of developing connections and using his connections. He now teaches this skill to job seekers in his area.
It’s 2009; we have to learn to be proactive, not reactive. Have your career documents, such as letters of recommendation, resumes, and cover letters, ready in advance.
Establish and maintain your network early. Make sure you keep in touch with your professional references and your contact information is up to date. Make sure your interview clothes fit well. Make sure all of this is done ahead of time, so you can get to work. As long as you’re gainfully employed, try to help others in your network whenever you can.
Some media professionals I know are watching their beloved employer and industry go down the drain at a time when Rhode Island has over 11% unemployment. But they’re LinkedIn members and powerful networkers, so they’re doing something about it. They’ve just scheduled a gathering of sports fans to enjoy a “network reunion game” at the Pawtucket Red Sox game. During this fun night, they will solidify their network connections, add connections, and pursue any opportunity that comes their way. In fact, there is nothing better than helping a friend in need or making new friends. I predict that each of these guys will have an interview from this meeting in a few days. If Rhode Islanders can do it, so can you.
One of the bright spots of this recession is; it’s definitely bringing more people together again.