Shout from the Rooftops

Now that I have a resume, what’s next? 

Network!  Do not let foolish pride keep you from getting tips on potential jobs.  Tell everyone you know that you are now unemployed and are looking for a job.  If they seem interested enough, tell them a short (30-second) sound bite about what you are looking for, and why you would be good at doing it. 

Don’t be shy. It’s time to (truthfully) toot your own horn.  Look at the summary of your brand new resume, and adapt it for conversation.  Both the summary and your sound bite should sell your qualifications without sounding like you are reading it from the page.  If they still seem interested, ask they may ask for your resume.  If they do not ask, just ask them nicely to let you know if they hear of anything in your “wish list”. Do not send them an unsolicited resume, as it will only grace the bottom of their recycle bin. 

When you meet prospective bosses, the first 30 seconds can make or break you.  Start out with the sound bite.  As with your resume, you should adapt your sound bite for the position and the company where you are applying.  Tell they prospective employer why you are better than the other 30 people he might have interviewed before you. 

Joining groups like LinkedIn is helpful to your search as it is an excellent way to network from your home, but nothing beats face-to-face encounters if you can make those happen by whatever (legal) means possible.  Don’t forget religious and fraternal groups as they are a surprising boost to the numbers of protective chance meetings. 

There are also several sites that you can create a search for the job and location you want, and save the search.  The site will email you every day with the results of that days search for your job.  It doesn’t hurt to continue your own job searching on the internet, but it’s a good place to start.

 Think outside the box.  There are more jobs beyond the wrapper.

The last bit of advice I have learned so far, is to start each workday as if you had a job.  Get up by 7.  Get dressed and have breakfast and go to your designated place to look for your dream job.

Then take the weekend to get a breather and get back to your family and friends. That’s your reward for “working” so hard for the week.