Blog Post: Labor Day - A time for Job Seekers too!

So - with our unemployment rate at an all time high in South Florida today, you are thinking how can I celebrate Labor Day, I don't even have a job?

OK - how about looking at today from this angle? You have been working very hard on your job search! Most places are closed today and you can take today to ask yourself the following and to do something with your answers today:

• What has been working for you in your job search?
  • Do more of it starting tomorrow.
• What has not been working?
  • Stop doing it, reassess and refocus on new tactics. "People connection tactics".
• Who has been able to help you?
  • Call them tomorrow, preferably in the afternoon so they will have had a chance to catch up after the holiday weekend.
  • Ask them about the progress of what they have been doing for you.
• What new contacts do you need to follow up with THIS coming week?
  • Make a list and start with the first person and call 3 people each day.
• What are the 5 top priorities for you to accomplish this coming week that will bring you closer to your next job?
  • Follow up on any outstanding job applications.
    • Get an interview status update.
    • When will they begin interviewing?
    • Try to find out if you are in the running to be set up to come in for an interview?
  • Call companies where you had an interview over 10 days ago for a status update.
  • Call the contacts you came up with that may know someone at a company or organization you are interested in working for now.
  • Take a thorough look at your resume to see what you can update and tweak after reviewing some of the latest resume articles and blogs that are currently available for FREE online.
  • Update your cover letter template to include:
    • A standard introductory, opening paragraph explaining how you found about the position.
    • A second paragraph which is customized to show how your skills and talents match the specific job requirements
    • A standard thirds "call to action" closing paragraph. (i.e.: I will be calling you next Wednesday to follow up on the status of my application, resume etc.)
• Is there a low cost/high benefit networking event that you can go to in person this coming week? There are FREE and very low cost ($10) events in our community right now. Research them online.
  • Register for one.
  • Go to one.
  • Collect business cards from everyone you meet.
  • Bring your own business cards to hand out.
    • (www.vistaprint.com - FREE business cards!)
  • Ask about places that are hiring and how you can get a chance to talk to someone (anyone) who works there.
  • Follow up with every person who has even a remote idea of a contact for you.

Today is Labor Day: Celebrate the hard labor of all of your job search efforts by simply being with family and/or friends. It's so important to stay connected to those who really care about you.

Tomorrow: pick up the phone, make your follow up calls, set up appointments with people who can "open doors" for you and commit to going to a FREE or low cost job networking event over the next 2 weeks where you will meet people who are connected to a job in your field of interest or to a new field you can move into easily and fast.