Sharpen Your Job Hunting Skills

We knew it was coming … the latest job numbers show the unemployment rate is increasing. As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the economy is slowing down and a weakening labor market has to follow. It’s time to sharpen your job hunting skills.  Rob tells you how to do that.

• By some measurements, the job market is still strong, but the trend is definitely heading in the wrong direction. If you haven’t been job hunting lately, you’ll want to pay attention because some things have changed.
• Proverbs 27:12 warns, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” You definitely don’t want that.
• There was a time when you just updated your resume, sent it out, and then waited for a phone call or email from a hiring manager. That could still happen, but I wouldn’t count on it. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of landing a job.
• Let’s start with some of the rules that HAVEN’T changed.
• The first is networking. I know a lot of folks hate the idea of networking, but it’s really important. By some estimates, up to 85% of jobs are filled without being advertised, and networking has a lot to do with it. You need to make a plan to contact at least one person you know every day and let them know that you’re looking for work and what kind of work you’d like. Keep a list of people you’ve talked to and notes about the conversation.
• To take the anxiety out of networking, always ask the other person if they’re also looking. Offer to be on the lookout for opportunities for them, as well. If you make it as much about the other person, you won’t feel like you’re being a burden.
• You also need to improve your job skills, whether you’re seeking new employment or not. It’s easier than ever these days to find online classes for additional training. Concentrate on skills that transfer to other types of businesses or industries, things like customer service, HR, and bookkeeping. Then update your resume and LinkedIn profile to show those skills or certifications, and specify how they increased revenue or cut expenses in your current or previous jobs.
• We’ve talked before about how important it is to never badmouth a previous employer in an interview, or on social media, no matter how tempting or deserved. No good can come from it. We’ve also talked about not posting any kind of objectionable material on social media. The rule is, if you don’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it. A CareerBuilder survey revealed that more than half of employers found content on social media that caused them to eliminate an otherwise promising candidate.
• Here’s what’s changed.
• These days, you HAVE to use social media in a positive way. It’s not just about avoiding bad content. You want to use those platforms to highlight your favorable attributes. That same CareerBuilder survey found that 70% of employers use social media to check up on candidates and almost half said that an applicant’s social media content contributed to their decision to EXTEND a job offer. That’s how important social media has become.
• Since COVID, many jobs are now being done remotely. That can be a real blessing, but it also presents new challenges. You may not even go into the company office for an interview. That means you have to be ready to make a good first impression IN A VIDEO INTERVIEW. Employers now know that they can save a lot of time and trouble by doing interviews on Zoom or some other video platform.
• If you’ve never used them before, set up a practice session with a friend or family member so get comfortable with the process. Position your computer so there’s a professional looking background, or at least nothing that appears untidy. Adjust your camera so you’re eye-to-eye with the interviewer. You also want to dress much like you would for an “in person” interview. Don’t think that’s only from the waist up. If you suddenly have to stand up for some reason, you don’t want folks to see your “jammy” bottoms. Also, alert others in the house not to disturb you during the interview. Close the door to keep out noise from the rest of the house.
• Everything else is much like you’d prepare for an in-house interview. Have a copy of your resume and other related paperwork handy in case the interviewer refers to it. And finally, follow up the online interview with an email expressing thanks no later than the next day.
• So those are ways you can sharpen your job hunting skills and be ready for whatever the economy brings. We hope you’ll take advantage of them.

Next, Rob answers these questions at 800-525-7000 or via email at [email protected]:

• Should you tithe on a tax refund?
• Is there a company one could use to track problems that might pop up from identity theft?
• If you have a 401(k) at your employer you'd like to participate in but someone at your church said they don't like them, are there any things you should know about 401(k)s for which one should be concerned?
• If you work jobs that short-term in nature but they're automatically enrolled 401(k) is set to 5 year vesting, how should you handle this?
• If you're 63, have been  divorced for 9 years, you were married for 27 and you've heard that you can draw off your ex-husband's Social Security, is this so?  And if you do this before drawing on your own, does it affect that?

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