Not So Funemployed

My experiences with job hunting have been fraught with ups and downs and of course, constant suggestions for how to do things differently. Advice from my parents tends to fall on deaf ears since it’s been about, oh, 45 years since they were last in the market for a new career and technology has careened past they’re level of knowledge ten-fold, but it’s cute to think they can help/and or care. Being faced with the daunting task of knowing you’re just one of thousands in the exact same position is tough, but I’ve picked up some tips to stand out from the crowd and help keep my spirits up (spirits in the form of alcohol often go hand in hand with this). 

1. There’s nothing like face-to-face contact in a world where everything is digital. I’ve found that simply hand delivering my resume let’s employers (who am I kidding, they’re secretaries and PA’s) get a feel for your personality and not just your accomplishments on paper. For me, this is a big bonus as I’d like to think of myself as relatively approachable and definitely more dimensional then my paper version.  

2. Make your resume stand out from the pile. Maybe that’s printing it on hot pink paper (or green if you’re into the whole environmental thing), or adding some creativity that’s related to the jobs your applying for. For example I’ve revamped the ol’ CV by adding an objective box in the form of a tweet at the top of my resume. It shows people I’m down with social media and know how to use it, as well as a bit playful, albeit maybe a bit too social and not as professional but I’m OK with that.

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3. For every interview I manage to snag, I think it’s important to take a second (or an evening out with friends and Jack Daniels) to congratulate myself for at least being individual enough to get past the first round of resume ditches. Maybe I won’t get the job, but knowing something I’ve done caught their attention enough to call me in and meet in person means I must be doing something right, either that or I was the only one who applied. (Stay tuned for posts in a month when all I’ve had is interviews and this little tidbit becomes entirely irrelevant). 

Needless to say job hunting sucks, especially when it seems everyone is gunning for the same positions. Nevertheless a positive attitude and little switches in approaching the next job posting may just mean you’re ahead of the pack which could mean the difference between a resume being cast aside or a call-in for an interview. 

Keep in mind, I’m still funemployed and my experiences with the world of job hunting may not be everyone’s experiences. All I know is it takes a lot more time then you think to even find what your looking for, let alone impress employers enough to hire you.

Until the next…