Diagnosing your job search, part 7

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.


What are you doing to close the gap in your work history while you seek employment? Research has shown that the longer one is out of work, the longer it can take to find a job. Research has shown that it is easier to find a job when you have a job. If you are not currently working consider employing one of the following strategies: 

1. Volunteering. There are many benefits to volunteering, including learning new skills, developing network contacts, and developing references. Many employers will consider it some type of work experience. 
2. Take a job that may be below what you are used to. Retail and food service are often hiring. It may be easier in an interview to discuss why you took a minimum wage job to pay bills, than why you did nothing at all. Also many times, these jobs are part-time; allowing you spend sufficient time on searching for the job you really want.

Do you have specific job goals, when you contact employers/apply for jobs? You may be willing to do anything, but is that what you are telling employers?

• When seeking employment, you may be willing to do anything. If so that is great, but it does not sell well. Different jobs may require different search strategies. At the very least, they require different resumes, cover letters, and different interview preparation. When you contact an employer, you should be specific about a type of job you want. By being specific, you are letting them know you interested in what you could do for them, not the other way around.

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 hundreds of Social Security Disability hearings since 2009.

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.

diagnosing your job search part 5

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. 

     If time is money, then it is worth your time and money to regularly spend some time in your job search to assess how it is going.

    Here are some more things to think about to help keep your job search on the right track when you feel like you are not getting the results you want.

Do your cover letters ask for interviews?

• It may sound obvious, but a cover letter should entice the reader to read your resume. Combined they should demonstrate why you are the best candidate for a job and help garner interviews. However, it is not enough to show that you are a good candidate. You have to ask for the interview.

Are you following up adequately after sending cover letters, resumes and interviews?

• It is not enough to simply send a cover letter and resume to an employer. After you send a cover letter and resume out, you have to spend some time following by phone and or emailing employers to secure the interview. You are not the only person applying for any given job. You have to separate yourself from the competition by showing you want it more. However, be careful. There is a fine line between persistent and annoying.

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.

Diagnosing your job search, part 4

    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. 

     If time is money, then it is worth your time and money to regularly spend some time in your job search to assess how it is going.
    Here are some more things to think about to help keep your job search on the right track when you feel like you are not getting the results you want.


Are you aware of all your transferable skills, and are you showcasing them appropriately?

• This is especially important if your disability/medical condition has necessitated a career-change. It would seem that employers might be increasingly reluctant to hire a career changer. You need to be able to demonstrate that you in fact have the skills to do the job, even when you do not have the experience. A good place to start would be Occupational Information Network, O*Net: www.onetonline.org. This is a excellent resource to help you figure out what you bring to an employer's table.

Do you have adequate support in your search? Does your support not only encourage you, but hold you accountable?

• Having support is important in a job search. You need people who can help lift you up when you are feeling down, and who can help you get your mind off your stress from time to time. Equally important is having people who challenge you to not give up when you feel like it. It is also important to have people to keep you honest, and help ensure you are doing everything possible to find employment.

Are you managing stress properly? How are you presenting to other people?

• Lots of people think they are better at hiding their emotions than they really are. Job searching is stressful. The longer it has gone on, the more stressful it can be. It is important to do things to relieve stress regularly. As you might people, if you stress is obvious to others (but not you), it may turn them off without you even realizing it.

Do your cover letters ask for interviews?

• It may seem obvious, but often people express they are interested in a job when they write a cover letter, and even show how they are the best fit; but fail to ask for an interview. This is one of the main purposes of a cover letter. Show an employer you understand that you are able to communicate directly what you want. Being a good communicator will ultimately benefit them as well.

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.

Diagnosing you job search, part 3

    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. 

     If time is money, then it is worth your time and money to regularly spend some time in your job search to assess how it is going.

1. Are you using all four ways to get/find job leads?

• Remember there several ways to uncover job openings. There is the obvious way of looking in job boards and newspapers. 
• There are staffing agencies and recruiters. 
• You should also contact employers directly, even when there is not a job opening.
• Networking is also a way of uncovering job openings.

Make sure you are using all four techniques for finding job openings.

1. Do you have a pitch written down and rehearsed?

• So what is it exactly that you offer an employer? Remember, the question an employer has when they want to hire you is, "what do I get for the money?" The money being your salary. You should always be ready to tell a potential employer/contact/reference what is that make you bring to the table, and makes you a more attractive employee. An interview can happen anywhere and anytime. It can even be happening without you realizing it. You need to be ready.

1. Do your resumes properly position you for the jobs you are pursuing?

• Does your resume showcase accomplishments relative to what a potential is looking for? Does your resume present you as someone who understands what an employer is looking for in a candidate, relative to the job? Is your resume written for you, or for potential employers?

1. Are you considering/looking for all types of jobs that you may be qualified for?

• Perhaps you have acquired multiple skills/skill-sets that are transferable to a variety of jobs and industries. Are you looking at all the different jobs and industries where you might be a good fit? 
• Sometimes you may have to take a job that you might normally seem "below" you. Having any income come in can ease the stress of not working. Perhaps it may renew / reinvigorate your job search; knowing the sooner you find a new job, the sooner you can quit the job you took (just to have a paycheck).

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.

Diagnosing your job search. part 2

     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. 

     If time is money, then it is worth your time and money to spend some time in your job search to assess how it is going. In my last post, I gave a long list of questions to ask yourself about your job search. This is going to be the first of many posts that explore that list in greater detail. 

Are you spending enough time each day, and each week on your job search?

• When you are not working, your job is to find a job. This may sound cliche, but it is true. The more time you spend you on your search, the better the results will be. 
• If your diagnosis, or illness is one that results in not being able to work full time, then you should be spending as much time as you would be working on your job search. Additionally, know yourself. If your diagnosis or illness involves pain or fatigue; don't search for work when your pain or fatigue are at their worst.
• Not sure, where you can find extra time to job search. I suggest the following: Keep a daily log each day, break down your day into 10 minute intervals, and write down what you did during those 10 minute intervals. Do this for 1 week. Then review your results. The results of how you spend your time may surprise you.

Are you engaged in a sufficient variety of activities to find employment?

• Is your job search limited to either just looking at online job boards, or looking in newspapers? If so, maybe you need to do other things to find work. 
• If you only look in the paper, try looking online. If you only look at specific job boards, try looking at others (there are thousands of job boards). Try using the internet for other research purposes.
• try going out and visiting employers in person.

Are you documenting your job search efforts? Is your documentation well organized?

• Hopefully you keep records of your job search. I would make some recommendations.
• You should keep a daily log of your job contacts. You should document: the name of the employer contacted, how you contacted them (phone, email, fax, etc), who if anyone specifically you contacted, what position you contacted them about, results of contact, and your plan to follow-up (including date of follow-up). 

Are you getting out enough and meeting actual people?

• The internet does not hire people. People hire people. That may sound like common sense, but the point is, if you whole job search is job boards and applying online, you might never get the interview needed to get hired. You are going to have to get out of the house more. Visit a staffing agency. Attend a job fair. Attend some other networking/social activity. 

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.

diagnosing your job search, to keep it moving along.

     Many experts are advising that people have remained unemployed longer during the current recession than they during previous ones. It may also seem as though people will disabilities are remaining out of work longer. There may simply be increased competition for fewer jobs. The longer you seek employment, without actually finding it, the more likely it may be to become discouraged and stop seeking employment. It is very important to constantly assess your job search efforts, and their effectiveness. I would like to offer the following set of questions to ask yourself (or jobseeker you may be working with) as a tool diagnose problems you (someone you may be working with) may be having in their job search. I will address these more specifically in future posts:

1. Are you spending enough time each day, and each week on your job search?
2. Are you engaged in a sufficient variety of activities to find employment?
3. Are you documenting your job search efforts? Is your documentation well organized?
4. Are you getting out enough and meeting actual people?
5. Are you using all four ways to get/find job leads?
6. Do you have a pitch written down and rehearsed?
7. Do your resumes properly position you for the jobs you are pursuing?
8. Are you considering/looking for all types of jobs that you may be qualified for?
9. Are you aware of all your transferable skills, and are you showcasing them appropriately
10. Do you have adequate support in your search? Do es your support not only encourage you, but hold you accountable?
11. Are you managing stress properly? How are you presenting to other people?
12. Do your cover letters ask for interviews?
13. Are you following up adequately after sending cover letters, resumes and interviews?
14. Have you crossed over the threshold from persistent to annoying when contacting employers, or networking contacts?
15. How is your appearance when you attend networking events, job fairs, and visiting employers?
16. Have you checked your online presence recently?
17. What are you doing to close the gap in your work history while you seek employment?
18. Do you have specific job goals, when you contact employers/apply for jobs? You may be willing to do anything, but is that what you are telling employers?
19. Are you reading job postings, and making sure you present yourself in a way that qualifies you for the job?
20. Are you applying for jobs that you are qualified for?
21. Are you practicing your response to interview questions?
22. Are you ready for telephone interviews should you get one?
23. Are you following only one job lead at a time?
24. Are you making for excuses as to why your search is not bringing you the results you want, or are you trying to diagnose/assess the situation.

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.