HFG DIGITAL NEWSLETTER

WWW.HEPBURNFG.COM

1. Understand that today’s careerist does things differently than the previous generation. The previous generation stayed in the same industry their entire career, and worked for two or three different companies at the most. The new generation often has several completely different careers over their lifetime. So if you find yourself out of work, think outside the box. Maybe you’ll find a completely different line of work that is even more fulfilling.
   
2. Brainstorm your own assets. You probably have more talents than you realize. Are you an amazing seamstress? Do you make cupcakes people would die for? Are you a whiz with numbers? The list goes on. Searching for a new job may allow you to follow your passion and live something you only dreamed of before.
   
3. Think about what others need in this market, and understand that not every industry/product/skill is needed forever. For instance, buggy whips are pretty much obsolete now that we all drive cars. What does this changing economy do to the needs of others? How are the demographics in your community changing? One trend is the pro-environmental movement. Another trend is aging consumers. Still another trend is budget consciousness. There are numerous possibilities out there; tap into one of them.
   
4. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Network like crazy, because word of mouth has worked extremely well to grow many businesses. It can do the same for your job search.
   
5. Seek professional help if necessary. If the last time you updated your resume was with a typewriter, it’s time to polish it up. There are numerous resume templates available free of charge for download. Just Google “resume templates” and look for one that suits you. Do your interviewing skills need improving? There are coaches available who can instruct you on the best way to conduct yourself during an interview and highlight your assets. Check out the book “Knock ‘em Dead Cover Letters,” by Martin Yate, to learn the most up-to-date techniques on constructing a cover letter that will get your foot in the door for that interview.
   
6. Instead of using your unemployment period as the vacation your stingy boss never gave you, use it to further your education. Go and get that master’s degree you always wanted or finish college. Actually you don’t even have to go that far; you can take classes at your local free university and improve specific skills such as computer or first aid or public speaking to start with.
   
7. Don’t forget to dress the part! Unless you decide to don an evening gown or tuxedo, it’s probably hard to overdress for an interview.
   
8. Be willing to take on interim jobs if necessary. Not only could they lead to the job of your dreams eventually, at the very least they could provide positive references for you. Mow lawns, paint houses or drive an ice cream truck in the summer. In the colder months you could shovel snow or clean houses for example.
   
9. During the interview be sure to actively listen to the interviewer. Sometimes we get so caught up in the goal of landing a job, we forget to practice proper social skills. Did you realize that the most important word in the world is a person’s name? Pay special attention to the interviewer’s name and use it as you’re talking.
   
10. Try networking online by creating a profile (and interacting with other users) on www.linkedin.com, www.facebook.com, and www.twitter.com, Be sure to follow proper protocol for each community, and listen as well as interact with others. Simply posting that you need a job probably won’t cut it. You need to communicate with the others, which is why it’s called “networking.”