Job Hunting Tips

Here’s some advice I wrote a while back, some of this may seem familiar to you:

Double your efforts (for example if you’re only doing at least 2 applications a day, aim for doing at least 4 a day). You may have to go around town and go in different businesses and fill out applications, even if they aren’t hiring. Start by visiting several temp agencies.

Once you get a call from someone, have multiple plans in place. That way if one plan fails you have backup plans (at the least 2 other backup plans). It’s always good to have a “worst-case scenario” plan as well.

Don’t wait around (1-2 weeks) for a company to call you, keep calling them back for about a week (show them you mean business) and if they have nothing for you, move on to the next couple of companies on your list. Do this for about 3 companies at a time.

If transportation is an issue, ride the bus. Another alternative is commutesmart.org, and ride in a carpool/vanpool to the area of town you’ll be going to. Your last resort may be craigslist; they have a ride section too. If you can’t do either of these, explain the situation and ask if you can do an interview over the phone and tell them you can fax a copy of your id and SSN card (you may have to do this in the library if you have no access to a fax machine). Re-scheduling interviews cut your chances of landing a job (you are competing against several other people for that position and they have an interview too).

Make a flyer (marker and paper is fine, printed flyer is preferred) offing your services as [something you’re skilled at] at a cheap rate with your contact info. Place it somewhere where there is a lot of volume (a lot of people walk by).  You can also come up with creative legitimate ideas to make quick money. Once you do get money, only spend it on what you need and create a budget.

Do not rely heavily on other people (I have made this mistake a lot), because they may not always be there for you when you need them. There is nothing wrong with asking/accepting help from others but only you can fix your problems. Times will get harder and you will get frustrated but keep calm and be patient or else everything will go from bad to worse (trust me I know, and paid the price).

Don’t let anybody that isn’t helping you look/talk down to you; show/tell them you mean business and your current progress. Your effort is currently a full-time job.

Keep your faith and don’t give up, only weaklings concede to defeat.

I wrote this based on my experience during my darkest days of 2011. This is also the same advice I give other people. During my unemployment I was eventually without transportation, phone, and internet and yet I was still able to find work. Follow these steps, and you’ll be guaranteed a job within the next two to three weeks.