Passing Unemployment Milestones and Focusing on the Future

Many who were laid off earlier this year or before are still on the market for a job. There’s no denying that job hunting in today’s environment is more challenging than when the economy was booming. You can’t change historical facts, but you can change your future reality.

If you are passing an unemployment milestone, say six months or more, maybe it is time to take stock of your accomplishments to date.

Have you:

• Sought advice from friends and experts?
• Lined up your references?
• Had your resume professionally critiqued?
• Regularly updated your online profile?
• Networked at every opportunity?
• Followed up on leads given to you by friends and former colleagues?
• Shared job leads with fellow jobseekers?
• Developed or participated in a support network?
• Contacted recruiters?
• Attended workshops and seminars to keep your skills up?
• Enrolled with temporary agencies?
• Kept in touch with your contacts?
• Volunteered anywhere?
• Joined Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn groups?
• Conducted informational interviews?
• Updated your portfolio?
• Started a blog or your own website?

While these are great steps to take, especially if you have done them all, you might respond, “Yeah, but,” because so far they haven’t landed you a permanent job. However, at this juncture in your quest for re-employment, it’s okay to congratulate yourself for what you have accomplished…for a moment…and then move forward.

Rather than sagging into the dumps, now is the time to try new angles and ramp up your efforts. Instead of losing steam because of the time passed, energize yourself and get going.

Why Should I Help You? Part 3

Networking is not just about you
by Linda Franklin, guest blogger

Not everyone can reply to every message all the time, but a little courtesy goes a long way toward helping maintain a bridge or build a connection that can lead to something down the line. But for those who see themselves in the scenarios described in Why Should I Help You?—Part 2; Lessons from real life, remember:

Networking is not about building your count on LinkedIn. Networking isn’t just about you; it’s about building and strengthening your relationships with others and keeping that two-way communication going. You never know with whom you will work or who may be a referral or reference for you, or—ultimately—your hiring manager.

So, the next time someone agrees to provide you with a referral, offers to meet for coffee or look over your resume, take a few minutes and make sure you thank them. Better still, ask them how you can help them. After all, your high priority (to get a job) may not be their priority; they’re taking some valuable time to help you, so in the grand scheme of things, you’re incurring a debt you need to recognize. Those who do follow up stand out—and, you never know, one day the person you thank may be in a position to recommend you for a job.
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Thank you, Linda Franklin, for your good advice this week. And, to all my U.S. readers, have a great Labor Day weekend, and to everyone else, I wish you beautiful days. One Tomato at a Time will be back in action next Tuesday.

Why Should I Help You? Part 2

Lessons from real life
by Linda Franklin, guest blogger

I am more than happy to provide a connection or referral when appropriate. We all want that jump start to our next career move. Imagine my surprise, then, when I have experiences like these:

A former colleague contacted me to see about having coffee, but never confirmed. Then, a month later I received an email asking me to be a reference. It turned out I was to be a reference for an interview THAT SAME DAY for a potential job I knew nothing about. I foolishly agreed, and looking back, I can’t say I’d do it again. I have no idea what happened, since I never heard any follow up or even received so much as a thank-you.

Another former colleague is actively looking in a specific career niche. When I saw a relevant function coming up, I forwarded the notice immediately. No response.

If you are reaching out to someone for a referral, always be considerate of other’s time. And even if a lead doesn’t fit, always send a quick thanks to someone for thinking of you. A little courtesy can go a long way.
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See Linda Franklin's previous post for a brief bio and contact info.