For job-seekers and employers alike, 2009 was a rough year. As the year came to a close, here's some advice from career experts for those continuing their job searches:
Helen Scully, Scully Career Associates Inc., Roseville, Calif.:
Focus on your assets, not your liabilities. Identify your personal and professional (strengths): a home, good references and your health. These will help you conduct an effective job search or make the right decisions about your current position.
Develop a strategic plan (for job hunting). Write it down and stick to it. If you do not know how to develop a plan, seek professional help so you don't become underemployed or veer off-track.
Many workers are stuck in unfulfilling jobs. Take a comprehensive assessment test to align your job with your strengths and interests.
Keep your network strong, or build one. Whether you are in a job or unemployed, your contacts improve your ability to leverage your career in a positive direction.
Richard N. Bolles, What Color Is Your Parachute? author:
Someone once told me, "I've never done anything I've ever enjoyed. How can I find out what my passion is?" Resolve to pay greater attention when you're enjoying yourself (in work settings), and remember what skills you were using at the time. A lot of shifts can happen in your job skills when you notice what you're best at. We tend to be a nation of complainers but don't tend to notice when we're enjoying ourselves.
Jess Bushey, Ultimate Staffing, Sacramento:
Take another look at the companies and positions where you last applied, the companies that interested you or where you may have been a runner-up.
The candidate who landed the job might not have been a good fit, or budgetary concerns could have prevented the company from hiring the person. Instead of repeating a
lengthy recruiting process, the company might tap its pool of finalists. It could be a good time to reintroduce yourself.
Look at your resume with a fresh and critical set of eyes. What skills, talents and achievements did you leave out? What have you learned? Give your resume a face-lift.
Keep a positive outlook. Employers and job-seekers alike are looking to turn the page on 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment