7 Reasons You Won't Get a Job in 2009

Puhleeease!

All those are fine ways to connect with an employer. People that should have jobs and don't because they don't necessarily know how to interview well. Not only that, they don't know what to say in order to engage their interviewer.

Here's a good article I came across. I've never read advice like this b4 about what to say when the interviewer asks you, do you have a question 4 me?

Check it out - http://www.nextstepscareer.com/ask-your-interviewer-smart-questions.php

Ryan P.

Ryan "Bro" P. of SC @ Sep 07, 2009 22:37:22 PM

Answering the Greatest Weakness Question

I like the tips for bullet #4, answering the greatest weakness question. Here's my take on how to answer that question:

In this short post, I discuss the secret to answering the weakness question.

http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/01/how-to-answer-what-is-your-biggest.html

In this longer post, I analyze Barack Obama's response to a variant of the common greatest weakness interview question, drawing inspiration from an interview between Katie Couric and Obama.

http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/01/ace-your-job-interview-questions-like.html

- Lewis, SeattleInterviewCoach.com

Seattle Interview Coach of WA @ Mar 15, 2009 14:15:50 PM

Networking

I've discovered networking to be more critical than ever before. Like chatting up relatives, with good networking I've discovered a couple of positions I would not have known of otherwise, and I've found connections to some I did know about. I recently discovered w2wlink.com, the site Amanda mentioned. The site has Network Circles, and I joined the one on Networking. I'm actually able to connect with new people through the site. It's great! I can do it in my sweats or jammies. I think it's complementary to my other networking.

Catherine of IL @ Feb 01, 2009 20:11:41 PM

In this economy, expect that for most admnistrative assistant positions, you are 1 of 300 people applying. As such, it is very important to have a well written resume when applying.

In the past agencies have said to focus on the companies you really want to work for. In this economy, that might not work as most of the larger companies are laying off or at only hiring a couple of key positions. Its important to look at your skill sets and look for any place that is hiring where you think you could make a contribution.

If looking for a job and money is tight, consider both part-time and full-time positions. If you get a part-time position, try to arrange for either morning or afternoon hours. That will allow you to interview for a job and still bring home a pay check. In some states, they will still pay partial unemployment benefits if your last position paid higher and you are working part time. This is not always the case, but something to look at to also augment your income.

Be willing to work odd shift jobs (week-ends, evenings, etc.). This might now be your ideal working hours, but it will help in the interim. When hiring picks up again, you can look for a job with hours you prefer. Or you might find out this odd shift job actually works out great and won't even need to look as you are happy.

In other words, look outside your normal comfort zone - both industry wise; hour wise; and shift wise (part or full). It can help with weathering the unemployment storm in 2009.

Samantha of CA @ Jan 29, 2009 18:26:09 PM

Marketing yourself and awareness of online presence

Liz - Good points. Especially appreciated the suggestions to talk about your job search at the grocery store or with relatives. We are all so connected in our communities - more than we realize. Barbara's point about online presence is something I realize I need to work on. Muser mentions marketing yourself, which I am exploring on a women business site, w2wlink.com. They have recently added professional tracks to their site, and Personal Branding was especially relevant to this topic.

Amanda of CA @ Jan 27, 2009 11:00:36 AM

Stick to your hobbies and interests

If you stick to your hobbies and interests and be true to who you are then employers will see that in you and want to hire you, but if you go into the interview all fake sounding and superficial it just want work this day in age. The only way to truly make it through these tough economic times is to be an entrepreneur and make your own work whether or not it is highly profitable or not. I.E. take the time to self improve and sharpen your skill set.

Jones of GA @ Jan 26, 2009 09:06:07 AM

More things to be aware of

Liz,

I think it is also important for candidates to understand how they are usually match to jobs in this electronic age.

Resumes are usually automatically populated into mass databases, HR or internal staffing departments run key word searches against the database to match to their open requisitions.

Unfortunately resumes are poor representations of oneself. Would they HR rep choose to search using words that you used to describe your experience? Beware of shortening your resume bexcause if it isn't their HR assumes it didn't happen. Not all Financial Analysts are conducting financial analysis. I know, it seems odd.

If you are writing your resume, sudy other resumes similar to what you do and try to include all similar language. Ask your former co-workers/peers how to describe the work that they do. Make sure to include the language in your text.

Beware not to bore the reader! Be short and concise while including all verbage.

Celine of CA @ Jan 12, 2009 16:31:20 PM

crisis for job

I feel that people should look for self employed and keep aside racial discrimination

munawwar

munawar juma of MN @ Jan 05, 2009 08:25:44 AM