Job Search Time Projected to Increase, the Time to Act Is Now

After March's drop in unemployment, experts agree the economy will begin to slow. Although unemployment fell to just 4.4%, the average time a job seeker remained unemployed rose from 16.4 weeks in February to 17.3 weeks in March. The slowing trend is likely to continue through second quarter.

So the job search is getting longer and competition for jobs will tighten–time to get serious about your job search game plan. If you've been procrastinating on updating your resume and posting it around the web, the time to act is now. If the experts are right and the time it takes to find a job will get longer, it makes sense to start your search as soon as possible.

Simple Job Search Game Plan
1. Start searching the web to see who's hiring. Do some reasearch on the position you'd like to obtain and tailor your résumé to create a unique selling proposition for yourself that's designed to fit each advertised position you're aiming for.

2. Clean up your online profile by Googling yourself and removing any negative images or comments you can find on the web.

3. Start sending out your tailored résumés and cover letters.

4. While your waiting patiently for a call back, get reading. Read up on the latest news in your desired industry. Read newspapers, trade journals, professional association's websites, etc. If you do this, you can WOW them in an interview with your keen observations and intelligent insight on the industry.

5. Send thank you's. Whether it's for a job interview or just a networking/informational interview, the surest way to show gratitude and professionalism is to send a hand-written note to each person that took time out of their day to meet with you!

6. Keep at it. Don't expect to find your dream job within a week. Remember, that even in good times it takes the average job seeker 17.3 weeks to find a job. So, continue to network and ask around. You can never have enough job leads.

There's so many things that go into a successful job search, this little list just scratches the surface, but it's a good start. If you're a procrastinator, like myself, a start is exactly what you need, so get to it!

Cross posted from JobHelper.com

Comments

[E.B.]

Another task I would add to your excellent list, Brian, is to get great career coaching. Job seekers can find out their true passions and suitable jobs at CareerDNA (www.careerdna.net), based on the pioneering work of Dr. Brian Schwartz - and for hundreds or thousands less than traditional career coaching.

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