Diagnosing Your Job Search, part 6

Unsuccessful job searches not only take longer, but they cost more money on things like: gas/transportation (going back and forth to interviews), dry cleaning, computer ink (printing out resumes and cover letters). It also takes its toll on your overall well-being. Job searching can be stressful, discouraging, and sometimes, downright depressing. Fortunately, it is possible to take a hard look at all the elements of a job search, and see where it may be going wrong.




Have you crossed over the threshold from persistent to annoying when contacting employers, or networking contacts?

• Following with employers after interviews is an important of the job search process. However, if you are calling too often after an interview, or are leaving too many messages; it may end up alienating an employer. Remember, depending on the job, it may take an employer a while to ultimately decide on a specific candidate. Just because an employer does not call you back right does not mean they are not interested in you. If you feel the need to keep calling the same employer, that may be a sign it is time for you to cultivate other job opportunities elsewhere.

How is your appearance when you attend networking events, job fairs, and visiting employers?

• Job interviews are no the only time your appearance matters. Job fairs and networking events are opportunities to meet future employers. An interview may even be developed on the spot. Always dress for these events, as if you were going on an interview. This also means bring plenty of copies of your resume. Even if you are not going to one of those types of events. You should always be well groomed (hair, facial hair if applicable and fingernails). Your clothes should always be neat and clean. You never know when you might be out, and you see a help wanted sign in a store window. Job hunting can happen any time.

Have you checked your online presence recently?

• Many people have an online presence today. Perhaps you have a Facebook page. Maybe you even have a twitter account. Employers are look more closely at the online presence of job hunters than ever before. If you have a Facebook page, it is time to review it. Check your photos. Delete any photos of you that are questionable (think pictures at bars, pictures that have drugs in them, pictures on the beach or any place where clothes are optional, or pictures with anyone whose appearance is questionable. Remove posts that are at all questionable (posts about politics or religion, or posts that  have cursing). If you are not sure about whether a post or a picture is questionable, have someone who is employed look at it. If they wouldn't want their boss to see it, it should probably be removed.
• Even if you don't have a Facebook page, or Twitter account, but you do have an email address; then you have an online presence. Your email address should be something simple such as yourname@emailaddressprovider. Having an email address like reddevil69@yahoo.com, might not get your emails opened by an employer.

Don't give up! It may take time to find work, but if you stick with it, you will find a job.

Darren Flomberg is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Certified Case Manager. He is a vocational rehabilitation counselor who has been serving the Long Island and NY-NJ Metro area for the past 11 years. Additionally, he is a vocational expert witness who has participated in Social Security Disability hearings since 2009.