Personally, I don’t believe the best goal is to get another J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) – jobs are for those who really don’t want to learn to deliver results and there aren’t going to be many that pay much of anything any more.

There are tons of opportunities to learn to deliver results for small businesses that will earn those sharp enough to learn them a good living and create a better world for all of us. Businesses need to reach us and we need to find the best small local and online businesses.

I found your blog through Dennis Edell and wouldn’t have followed you or found your site if this post didn’t happen to be the top Tweet at the time I visited. He sent me a heads up on chat that said, “if you haven’t already met @Tweetmatix – his bio seems right up your alley”.

He was right. We have a collaboration of bloggers supporting each others efforts and improving our best practices. Perhaps you would like to join us? Drop me an email and I’ll send details.

Great idea to blog about this!

I have been out of work for the past 8 1/2 mos. Thank you for this great advice on networking and resume appearance. If there is anything I could add to those of you who are out of work, it would be to stay positive. When interviewing, be yourself – you don’t want to come across as being desperate for work simply for the sake of needing a job. These are definitely tough times that we are in and remind yourself that you are not alone. The competition in job searching has become much more fierce given the rise in the unemployment rate. Take John’s advice on networking with your friends, former co-workers and contacts on Facebook, LinkedIn and other networking sites. You have a higher chance of being offered a position through someone you know or by a friend of a friend than you do by applying blindly.

I can’t begin to tell you how many positions I have applied for blindly through company website online application processes and never being offered an interview or anything other than an automated response at best. Do your homework, find the hiring manager and contact them directly. This is where Brian Beckner’s advice comes in which is right on the money when he says, “Tried and True Methods Don’t Work” in this economy. Brian, thank you for reminding me of this and for the great resume tips – I definitely plan on putting your advice into action.

The toughest part in my opinion is getting the interview. Once your foot is in the door, sell yourself. The last piece of advice I would give is to never be afraid to take 2 steps back in your career in order to take 5 steps forward. I have done it and it paid off in dividends.

Now it is time for me to get back to practicing what I am preaching.

Joe

First thing to consider in this new economy…”Tried and True Methods Don’t Work!”

This is one of the best things I’ve ever discovered as it relates to standing out from the crowd…”Take your resume and pack it inside a paper Starbucks coffee cup. Pack that inside a box not bigger than the cup and send it second day air. Sure it may be a little more expensive than clicking the email send button or licking a stamp but lets face it if those methods worked why aren’t more people getting hired and why haven’t you landed any interviews yet? 30 minutes after you’ve received delivery confirmation, call the hiring manager up and introduce yourself. If you’ve done your homework you’ll have this persons contact information and direct line…YES YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS STUFF IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO! This concept is known in the marketing world as “Lumpy Mail” and using a delivery service will undoubtedly get your resume on the top of the pile, on the desk of and grab the attention of the hiring manager. You’ll certainly stand out from the crowd.

To learn more about the developer of these stealth job hunting strategies check out this New York Post Article:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/outside_the_box_Z1dQwDhdft8fxLUJWkKjQL/0

Something else to consider in the face of a job loss…”sometimes things happen for a reason…losing a job is no doubt a difficult thing to face…perhaps your life is headed a totally different unexpected direction that will reveal itself to you as a reason to never give up on your hopes and dreams…life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it!

I think your comments are right on. Here are a couple of additional thoughts.

Specifically for your business John, perhaps a one-page resume works, but for many industries, two pages (no more) is acceptable. Don’t go back more than ten years in your resume experience. It dates you and as fast as things are moving now, much of what you did more than ten years ago is probably obsolete by now anyway.

If you have accomplishments that you MUST include that go back further, list them under “Other Relevant Experience”.

If you’ve been out of work for 18 months or more, really take a look at whether your former job category will EVER revive. If not, then it’s time to begin looking in another direction – perhaps consulting or starting a business.

And for your friend who doesn’t want to make less than $11/hour – it depends on the job. He MIGHT consider how many new people he has the opportunity to meet and talk to in particular positions that could include someone who has a really great opportunity for him that he might otherwise miss.

And yes, you MUST be on social media these days. And engaging people in what you are up to, not just hiding out.