Thursday, March 28, 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Unemployed? My job is FINDING a job . . .


"When you are unemployed your job is finding a job."  How often have we heard this maxim? I lost my job recently and decided to do just that. This is what I do.
  • I get up every morning and get dressed up. I'm going to work, so I dress for the job I want - not the job I have. My boss (me) gives me casual Friday and I can I can wear blue jeans
  • Get your tools: laptop, tablet, cellphone. I have a case I call my technology case with all othe these items. It also has a wireless mouse and keyboard (for real writing, not just emails.) I also have another with pads, pens, stapler, etc. I don't use this much because so much is digital. I use Evernote a lot. Google Apps and Chrome have been staples for years.
  • Get out of the house and go to work. I drop off my daughters at school and then I find a place with wireless access and start work. The library, restaurants, and other places have free wireless. Get out of your house and away from distractions.
  • Schedule yourself. In the morning, I search for jobs. Then I take a lunch break - 30 to 60 minutes. Then in the afternoon, I write. It might be customizing resumes or cover letters. It might be emails, blogs or Tweets.
  • Get educated. In South Carolina, SC Works has several workshops and seminars. I have attend: Resume Writing, Personal Branding, a resume panel, one on Workforce Investment Act, and Job Searching in the 21st Century.
  • Volunteer. It is a great way to network. You meet people who are not only like minded but are working towards the same goal. You boss will give you time off. It makes his company look good.
  • Write a job description of what you are doing on your job. It helps you keep focused.
  • Document what you are doing. Nothing like checking off items on your to do list to give you a sense of satisfaction.

Stay positive. No one will hire someone negative. And you don't want to work with them.