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发帖数: 8232 | 1 http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/03/21/10-things
If you’re unemployed and worried that employers will turn you down for
taking on unimpressive work during the recession or for the large employment
gaps on your résumé—you needn’t panic. A new survey just released by
the careers website CareerBuilder.com reveals that the vast majority of
employers are sympathetic to such circumstances.
The nationwide survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive, on behalf
of CareerBuilder, among 3,023 hiring managers and human resource
professionals between November 9 and December 5, 2011. Not only does it
offer unemployed job seekers some hope, but it also provides tips to help
them land a new position.
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“More than 40% of unemployed job seekers have been out of work for six
months or longer,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources
for CareerBuilder. “There’s a sense that such a long gap on a résumé
negatively affects a candidate’s chances, but the survey shows that is not
true. That’s very positive news for this group of job seekers. If you fill
the gaps with activities and experience that illustrate how you are still
developing your skill sets, the overwhelming majority of employers will look
past your unemployment and focus on what you can bring to their team.”
Eighty-five percent of those surveyed employed reported that they are more
understanding of employment gaps post-recession. Ninety-four percent said
they wouldn’t have a lower opinion of a candidate who took on a position
during the recession that was at a lower level than the one he or she had
held previously.
But this doesn’t mean you can sit around and wait for a sympathetic
employer to offer you work. “The worry is that employers may think job
seekers are losing some of their skills because they haven’t been utilizing
them. By volunteering, taking temporary work, or signing up for a class
that develops your professional tool kit, you show employers that you’ve
made the most of your time and will be ready on day one,” Haefner says.
Employers and CareerBuilder experts recommended a variety of activities you
should engage in to build, expand, and strengthen your skills during period
of unemployment, in order to increase your marketability.
Take a temporary or contract assignment.
Seventy-nine percent would recommend doing this. Why? “The key is to get
people to see your work and to see what you’re capable of doing,” says
Andy Teach, the author of From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical
Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time. “If you do a
great job, even if it’s for a temporary job, whoever hired you is more
likely to recommend you for a permanent position.”
Take a class.
Sixty-one percent of the hiring managers surveyed recommended taking a class
during a period of unemployment. “You never stop learning in your career,
so the more technical competence you have, the better,” Teach says. “When
you take a class in your field, you are also showing that you are serious
about your work and that you take initiative.” Another advantage to taking
a class: It’s a great networking opportunity.
Volunteer.
Sixty percent of the hiring managers said volunteer work makes you more
marketable. “When you volunteer for something, you are telling potential
employers something about you as a person,” Teach says. It shows that you
are passionate about something and care about helping others—and it
demonstrates that money isn’t the most important thing to you, he adds. “
When companies are hiring, they are looking not only for people who can get
the job done but also for people with character and integrity.”
Start your own business.
Twenty-eight percent suggested doing this—but starting a business can be
pricy and time consuming. If you have the means to do it, it’s a great ré
sumé booster and a wonderful marketing tool.
“The beauty of having your own business is that you can work part-time or
full-time depending on whether or not you are able to land a job working for
someone else,” Teach says. “You are also going to learn skills that are
transferrable if you do end up working for someone else again.”
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Start a professional blog
Eleven percent of the surveyed employers said a professional blog can be a
good way to market yourself to employers. Why? You get people to see you as
an expert in your field. “You are also conveying your passion, gaining
knowledge, and separating yourself from others,” Teach says. “Potential
employers will see you as having taken the initiative during your job search
to blog about something you truly care about: your career.”
Follow stories on hot industries and job functions.
CareerBuilder experts say information technology, engineering, health care,
sales, and customer service are among the top areas for hiring nationwide,
according to CareerBuilder’s job listings. Follow the news and job openings
in these fields.
Use the time to come up with ideas.
Whether it’s an idea for a marketing campaign, new revenue stream, cost
savings, etc., the candidates who show up at an interview with ideas
demonstrate that they are passionate, knowledgeable, and excited about the
opportunity. These job seekers always stand out from the crowd,
CareerBuilder experts say.
Make connections.
A résumé handed to the hiring manager directly from someone within the
company is more likely to get noticed, CareerBuilder experts say. Build and
expand your network of contacts through social media and professional
organizations. Let friends, family and professional contacts know that you’
re looking for a job, and ask for their help in finding connections to the
organizations you’re interested in.
Follow up.
According to CareerBuilder, two thirds of workers reported that they don’t
follow up with the employer after submitting their résumé for
consideration. It’s important to take that extra step to let the employer
know you’re interested, and make sure you always send a thank you after an
interview. Handwritten notes will set you apart from the pool of candidates,
but e-mails are acceptable, too.
Use key words.
As long as you’re actively pursuing a job, you’ll likely be spending a
significant amount of time editing and sending out your résumé. Remember
to use key words. Why? CareerBuilder experts said most employers use
electronic scanning devices to screen and rank candidates. You’ll want to
tailor your résumé for each position you apply for, and include specific
words from the job posting. Do this and your résumé will come up higher in
employer searches.
“These types of activities tell the employer that the job seeker is serious
about their career development and made the most of their time off,”
Haefner says. “The key for the job seeker is to make the connection between
how their volunteer work, blog, class, or temporary position prepares them
for the next job. If they can successfully do that, their employment gaps
won’t be an issue.” | s*****G
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