that the virtue of a little patience is critical during a job search. A typical job search will take between 3 to 4 months. Any local job market has it's own value for professional services and availability for employment.
He said to research the medium salary in your current job market, for example Dallas. That salary maybe $40,000. per year. For every 10k above that medium that you seek, will add an additional month to your job search. So if I am seeking money in the $90k range, 4 months plus 5 months for the additional 50k I desire, or what I believe the market will yield for a software engineer, prepair for a 9 month search at minimum.
Stay positive, and seek support from faith, family and friends. Oh ya, NETWORK with your support alliances'.
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My advice, which I do not often heed, is to get out of the mindset of pushing yourself through interviews, phone calls and emails, and exercise and volunteer. Find some way to help out with all your acquired skills. Meet new people along the way and clear your head. Sometimes you get what you want in the strangest places.
...especially for the 'breathe deeply' part. the daily grind of searching job boards for 'kinda close' positions, applying and NEVER hearing back [other than automated 'we'll call you if we want to talk to you' emails], only to face another day of the same routine: well, it's getting kind of old.
I'll try a little more patience, and breathing.
I'll try a little more patience, and breathing.
I agree not to put all your faith in them. They do play an important part though.
On the other hand, I have never found a job through a recruiter. I think of them more as a gauge to what is out there. If I get lots of calls/e-mails from recruiters, I know the market is starting to open up. When the calls/e-mails don't happen, the market is drying up.
I have been laid off due to economy a few times in my career. In most cases it was just before the company was about to go under (used to think I was the kiss of death). I believe that if you keep your eyes and ears open, you will find something. Longest time unemployed was 3 months.
On the other hand, I have never found a job through a recruiter. I think of them more as a gauge to what is out there. If I get lots of calls/e-mails from recruiters, I know the market is starting to open up. When the calls/e-mails don't happen, the market is drying up.
I have been laid off due to economy a few times in my career. In most cases it was just before the company was about to go under (used to think I was the kiss of death). I believe that if you keep your eyes and ears open, you will find something. Longest time unemployed was 3 months.
Disagree (a little) not getting help (even if it is costly). When I was last laid off I spent a LOT of time on my resume with no decent results. I put down some cash to have it professionally done and the phone started ringing. Your resume is a marketing document and most of us are not good at marketing.
Unless you were a marketing genius in a prior lifetime, get some help with the resume. Someone else will say things about you that you never would.
It isn't a bad idea to try mock interviewing either. Get a friend or colleague to play the interviewer and do it right- dress as if you were going to a real interviewer and if you can, video tape the session.
In this market, it is good to have an edge. Look for networking opportunities in your area and attend them. Go to a local job club. Join an online community for professionals like you and use it.
When engineers are lining up for what are considered summer jobs at $7.50/hr, you absolutely HAVE to differentiate yourself. Take the time to learn HOW.
It isn't a bad idea to try mock interviewing either. Get a friend or colleague to play the interviewer and do it right- dress as if you were going to a real interviewer and if you can, video tape the session.
In this market, it is good to have an edge. Look for networking opportunities in your area and attend them. Go to a local job club. Join an online community for professionals like you and use it.
When engineers are lining up for what are considered summer jobs at $7.50/hr, you absolutely HAVE to differentiate yourself. Take the time to learn HOW.
Is pretty much what you make of it.
I know in my search, I found NOTHING in my area looking on job boards and newspapers.
So I took it easy for a while. I didn't start to apply for jobs until it got to the point that I was having a hard time dragging my ass out of bed in the morning.
I know in my search, I found NOTHING in my area looking on job boards and newspapers.
So I took it easy for a while. I didn't start to apply for jobs until it got to the point that I was having a hard time dragging my ass out of bed in the morning.
I especially like the Jason Bourne not Jason Alexander example. I've always gone in with a quiet confidence. It has to be a match BOTH WAYS - if they don't select me I may not have been happy anyway.
Recently a local (independent) contract company head who decided not to hire me requested a "LinkedIn" so maybe that will be my NEXT job if need be.
Another co took 3 months to make a decision, so I accepted a position elsewhere. They called a few weeks ago to see if I was happy with the job I accepted. I consider that another very real possibility for the future.
My 8 years back at home scared them - and now that I've proven I can successfully go back to work I am much more marketable.
Recently a local (independent) contract company head who decided not to hire me requested a "LinkedIn" so maybe that will be my NEXT job if need be.
Another co took 3 months to make a decision, so I accepted a position elsewhere. They called a few weeks ago to see if I was happy with the job I accepted. I consider that another very real possibility for the future.
My 8 years back at home scared them - and now that I've proven I can successfully go back to work I am much more marketable.
I would add: get started on something new and expand your skill set. If you can afford to get a certification, do it. If you can afford a training class, do so. Otherwise, take advantage of free webinars, etc., and seek to learn something in demand. If you know ASP.NET, seek to learn Sharepoint. If you know MS SQL Server T-SQL, learn Analysis Services and Reporting Services. Make yourself a more attractive candidate in the process.
Maybe my own memories of the late 70's and early 80's might be relevant. It was usually possible to find work, even with an officially double digit unemployment rate. You needed to be flexible, patient and have skills in demand. A demonstrably strong work ethic in addition could usually get you the job over other people. It took a longer time to find work, but usually it happened. And when you found it, you would keep it if you not only met the job description but went beyond and added additional value.
Maybe my own memories of the late 70's and early 80's might be relevant. It was usually possible to find work, even with an officially double digit unemployment rate. You needed to be flexible, patient and have skills in demand. A demonstrably strong work ethic in addition could usually get you the job over other people. It took a longer time to find work, but usually it happened. And when you found it, you would keep it if you not only met the job description but went beyond and added additional value.
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