Ahhh...the thrill of job hunting. What?! You don't think scouring the internet for hours a day, on the off-chance that you just might find something, is exhilarating? Ya...me neither, but when I do finally come across a posting that meets all my criteria, I do a little happy dance inside.
I look at job hunting like the lottery. You have to play to win, and these days, the odds aren't in your favor. This is what I have been doing to maximize my chances:
1. Always, always, always, customize. I edit my resume and cover letter to meet the desired skills the employer is looking for.
2. Friendly help. I recently reached out to a few former college classmates. One even put me in touch with the hiring manager at his firm. I even contacted a former supervisor to see if there were any openings, and to my surprise, one had just popped up.
3. Volunteer. I volunteer at the local metroparks. The skills I have learned there can be easily adapted to other situations. For example, my interactions with the public can readily translate to a customer service position. Also, it definitely a positive to show involvement in the community.
4. Limit the amount of time spent looking for a job. I think this is the most important thing you can do. I realize that not having a job is placing an undue burden on my family and with that comes a variety of emotions, from frustration to depression. I spend a couple hours a day looking for and applying to jobs. This also includes the time it takes me to adjust my resume/cover letter accordingly. Trust me, your mental health will thank you later.
The fruits of my labor are already paying off. I have two interviews next week. To those of you that are in the same position, good luck and happy hunting.
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