Recycle Your Job Search

If you have been out of work for quite a while, you have
undoubtedly pursued a standard job search campaign: the
unemployment office, newspaper classifieds, job fairs,
online resources, agencies, networking, and cold calling.

Just because something didn't work the first time, don't
totally give up. A good salesman knows that even the best
product is seldom purchased on the first pitch. Studies have
shown that an offer needs to be presented an average of 5 to
8 times before the sale is closed.

Go back through your notes, see what you've done and who
you've contacted, then take a deep breath and start over
with a fresh eye.

1. The unemployment office.

When was the last time you checked out all the listings?
Chances are that you are receiving your check by mail and
have been too busy going in other directions. Despite
continued layoffs and geographic pockets of job blight,
there are more openings emerging now than at any time within
the past 3 years. Walk in with a "fresh new year" attitude
and check out every possibility you see. Keep your eyes open
for new job titles and descriptions that offer a chance to
change your line of work or move into a different industry
that is starting to expand.

2. Newspaper classifieds.

You may have been checking these every Sunday. In that case,
you are probably feeling frustrated by the continuing ads
for positions that you applied for long ago and never heard
anything. Re-apply as people and circumstances may have
changed. You may also have fallen into the rut of just
checking certain sections which seem to contain the jobs for
which you feel qualified. Take the time once in a while to
go through ALL the listings. Sometimes employers and
classified ad takers place positions under categories you
may never have considered. Areas such as customer service,
training, general, and management often contain a wide array
of positions that might be suitable but which you may have
missed by skipping over those sections.

3. Job fairs.

These tend to be more readily available in metropolitan
areas so if you live in a rural location your choices may be
limited. If there are any such fairs planned within your
commute distance, try to attend as they are usually free to
applicants. Even if the theme of the fair is not really
directly related to your experience (medical, sales,
finance, engineering, etc.) talking with employer
representatives often reveals the availability of other
positions within their company for which you might
fruitfully apply. Be friendly, personable, and businesslike,
and the Rep may allow you to use their name on an
application - a move that may vault your paperwork to the
top of the stack. A brief remark at an interview that "I had
a long talk with Jim Jones of your company at last week's
job fair and he suggested I contact you," goes a long way in
creating that receptive atmosphere you seek.

4. Online resources.

You may have registered at Monster.com or other similar job
seekers' sites. Try a different approach by typing your
industry or occupation directly into a search engine. You
will then be able to access many, perhaps hundreds, of
corporate web sites. The majority of such sites have a
section on employment opportunities. Check them out and
apply online or submit your resume and cover letter by e-
mail. Even if the positions listed are only a marginal fit
for you, the company may have other openings that have not
yet been listed and you will be the first in line, always an
enviable position.

5. Agencies.

Typically, when you register with an agency, they
immediately try to find you a position as that is how they
make an income. After a period of time without successful
placement, you drop down their priority list as new
applicants appear who look more promising. If you haven't
heard from your agency rep for some time, call and remind
them that you are still available and still actively seeking
work. If you only registered with 2 or 3 agencies, seek out
others where YOU will be the new applicant loaded with
potential.

6. Networking.

You may have given up on your contacts who have failed to
identify suitable openings. If it has been a period of time
since you called them, make an effort to touch base now and
remind them that you're still looking. They have probably
forgotten all about you and their mild guilt may push them
into looking more intensively.

If you've maintained regular contact with your network, keep
doing it. However, you can't increase the frequency of calls
to the point of being a pest and if any of the people on
your list are not returning your telephone messages, it's a
signal that you've pushed too hard and need to back off a
little, especially if the person is someone with whom you
want to enjoy a continuing relationship.

Be sure to call back to companies or people who indicated
that "something might be coming up" when you last called. If
you have any friends at the last place you worked, call them
and see what is going on. They may be able to fill you in on
coworkers who have left to go to work elsewhere and their
new companies may well be worth checking out.

7. Cold calling.

While often a frustrating and ego-shredding exercise,
walking cold into employer's offices can sometimes net a
great result -- an unadvertised open position. At the very
least, it gets you out of the house, forces you into
business attire and a work mentality, and creates a sense of
being able to take active steps to improve your situation.
Any action is more productive than crawling into your little
hole, bemoaning your fate, and mentally beating up on
yourself.

 Links For Unemployment/Job Search Sites