| Searching for a Job? Use Your Time to Build | | | | with similar professional interests could make job |
| Professional Resources.by Elizabeth Kirwin | | | | hunting a little less stressful. The network group |
| With unemployment figures at 6.1% in August, | | | | will also help internet job seekers overcome a |
| there is great concern among the jobless about | | | | sense of isolationism. Mr. Hall notes that |
| their financial future. Though internet job posting | | | | participation in a focused group will be like "having |
| seems convenient and opens up new possibilities, | | | | more than your own two eyes looking for work |
| the competition is so fierce, it is not unusual for | | | | for you." Job seekers can learn how others |
| an employer to receive 300-600 resumes for one | | | | interviewed correctly or incorrectly. Sharing |
| posting. Since most companies do not have the | | | | professional resources is also key to success with |
| staffing or time to answer these inquiries, job | | | | this type of group. "Say a person in your |
| seekers tend to feel like they are casting their | | | | particular group received a call for a job they |
| resumes into a great void. Steve Hall, a 14 year | | | | were not interested in," observed Mr. Hall, |
| Certified Personal Consultant with Find Great | | | | "perhaps the location, hours, or pay were wrong |
| People in Greenville, South Carolina, has witnessed | | | | for that individual. It may be just right for |
| disappointment in internet job hunters. "When job | | | | someone else in the group." A simple exchange of |
| seekers spend a great deal of time applying for | | | | information could be a hot lead to a new position. |
| jobs and receiving no word, it tends to weaken | | | | "If you are at home alone, you're only interested |
| their self-worth," said Mr. Hall. | | | | in yourself," said Mr. Hall, "though it might be noble, |
| Spending five to eight hours per day on-line | | | | it's not always productive." |
| searching creates a sense of isolationism, too. | | | | Another effective strategy is partnering with a |
| "Most job seekers would be better served to | | | | mentor or coach. "This person should be candid |
| balance their time behind the computer with an | | | | with you about what doesn't work and what you |
| effort to meet with people and build a network of | | | | don't do well. A good mentor will also emphasize |
| professional resources," said Mr. Hall. He suggests | | | | what is likeable about you and where your talents |
| volunteer work geared toward the job seeker's | | | | exist," offered Mr. Hall. Mentoring and coaching are |
| profession with a charitable organization. "For | | | | a focused way to grow professionally. "Try to |
| example, an accountant could visit the Red Cross, | | | | find somebody who is in the trenches working in |
| a state boy's home, or a church and offer to do | | | | your profession," recommended Mr. Hall. "Work |
| bookkeeping," Mr. Hall suggested. "This would have | | | | with this person to help develop skills or |
| professional benefits. It will keep professional skills | | | | approaches you may be lacking," he added. Paying |
| sharp and enable the job seeker to build a soft | | | | for a coach is one route, but it may not be an |
| skill -- which is interacting with people. By | | | | option for those on a tight budget. Look for |
| volunteering skills and expertise, the person may | | | | coaches or mentors among an existing network |
| meet somebody that will lead to employment," | | | | of friends and associates, or through a friend of a |
| added Mr. Hall. | | | | friend. Aim to work with a professional who you |
| Another activity that could stimulate job leads is | | | | admire and respect. |
| participation in a weekly network group. "If you | | | | Combining all or some of the above techniques will |
| want to start a group in your area, rally a support | | | | help most jobless individuals gain a new |
| group through professional associations," | | | | perspective on their search for employment. |
| recommends Mr. Hall. It's important to find people | | | | Some of these methods will also expand their |
| of like minds, with similar passions, and in close | | | | network once they re-enter their chosen |
| proximity for weekly lunch or coffee meetings. | | | | profession. In an age when computers offer the |
| "This interaction with colleagues and peer groups | | | | jobless more access, it is still important to |
| will allow the job seeker to hear about positions | | | | remember the advantages of face-to-face |
| that may not be posted." said Mr. Hall. | | | | contact. |
| Belonging to a network group composed of those | | | | |