WINNING THE JOB HUNTING BATTLE: Hunting For A Job Today is Like Looking For Water in A Desert- Part 1

Before we go into the article proper, let us consider some relevant facts you may or may not know and questions you may have asked or about to ask concerning unemployment and the sure ways to get a dream job:

FACT 1:

The world is home to millions of unemployed. This staggering statistics means that at this very moment millions of men and women alike are being subjected to unemployment related poverty and all its ramifications.

QUESTION 1:

Isn't it amazing that in the face of the above mentioned statistic governments at all levels, especially in Nigeria, continue to be lukewarm about unemployment problems and only pay lip service in public fora where job creation strategies are discussed?

FACT 2:

My father taught me when I was young that I had nothing to be afraid of as long as he's around, I know he's right.

QUESTION 2:

Can a government play the role of daddy to men and women with regards to unemployment problems?

QUESTION 3:

Don't you think you may reach your retirement age before you get a job of your dream today, if you fold your hands and wait for the government(s) to get you a job by playing daddy?

TODAY'S REALITY:

The reality today is that your education and training career decisions, professionally crafted resume and excellent performance in the job interview are the sure things that will guarantee you get your dream job. This is why I have decided to focus on helping you through this article to excel in your job interview.

THE PERFECT JOB: Defining thePerfect Job

Before you can begin to seek the perfect job, you have to beable to define what it means to you. There is no generic meaning,and you will not have the same definition as someone else, evensomeone such as your spouse or significant other. Everyone looksfor something different and thus the meaning of the perfect jobwill differ even among family members. It may have a differentmeaning for you now than it will ten years from now. In short,the perfect job is the one that offers what you want and gives youthe satisfaction of feeling you accomplished something when yougo home at the end of your shift.The first thing you want to do is make a list of what youexpect from a new position, whether it's with your currentemployer or a new company that you plan to work for. Unlessyou are able to identify what you seek, it will be very difficult tofind the perfect job. You would be going into it blindly, muchlike looking for a house without having any idea where you want to live or what amenities you want in the house. You always wantto have a plan, some idea of where to begin. The more details youlist, the easier it will be for you to find what you want from thebeginning instead of continually changing jobs while you lookfor the perfect one.Don't expect to find one generic definition for the perfect jobbecause you are not going to find it. You will view it differentlythan anyone else you know. For some people the perfect job maybe something that allows them to work a set work schedule everyday, while others may be looking for the convenience totelecommute one or more days a week. You want to identify whata perfect job means for you regardless of what it may mean toanyone else.Make a list of all of the things that are important to you in ajob or career and then work from your list to find that perfect job.Take the time to look for what you really want rather than takingthe first thing that comes along—it doesn't look good on yourrésumé if you continue to job hop instead of being at the positionyou want from the start.

CHOOSING THE PERFECT JOB

Once you have defined what the perfect job is, it's time to beginlooking for positions that reflect your definition. The way you dothat is by putting all of your attributes (such as communicationskills, self confidence, leadership, professionalism, andflexibility) together and connecting them with available positions.You want to be realistic when you take this step and not try tofind the job that includes every attribute on your list. Findsomething that closely matches what you perceive to be theperfect job rather than trying to find something that haseverything you want.One of the problems many people run into when looking forthe perfect job is expecting too much. For example, you may feelyou are worth $30,000 as an experienced administrative assistant,but there may not be available positions to support that. Bewilling to accept less than what you want in order to get yourdream job. That does not mean you have to settle for somethingyou do not really want, but that you do want to leave someleeway for compromise.In order to make the right decision look at your list ofattributes you seek in a job. If you have not already done so,identify them by importance. There will always be some thingsthat you absolutely must have and others that are negotiable.When you are in the process of identifying the perfect job foryou, never identify only those factors that are absolutelynecessary; always leave room for negotiation. If you're lookingfor something that will allow you to telecommute half of thetime, be willing to settle for a position that allows you to do soone or two days a week; do not push such a position asidebecause it doesn't offer as many days as you would like. Thereare many different ways to negotiate for a job, even though notall of your expectations are negotiable.With the job market currently being at such a low point, it isludicrous to think you are going to get everything you want. Youmay have an idea about how to get the perfect job, but when theeconomy shows there are more people looking for job than thereare available jobs, you will find you have to make moresacrifices. Instead of risking not obtaining the job that mayindeed turn out to be your perfect job, be willing to reduce thenumber of mandatory options on your list.

CONDUCTING YOUR JOB SEARCH

There is no one method of conducting a job search that willprovide better results than another. However, it is important tokeep in mind that the job market today is different than it waseven ten years ago, and many employers refuse to see applicantsuntil they have seen a résumé first. At the same time, very fewemployers will accept résumés unless they have a job opening available. The other problem is that employers are also no longeraccepting résumés without knowing specifically what a jobapplicant is seeking. This makes it easier for the employer butmore difficult for the job applicant who is seeking to work his orher way into the perfect job.Where is the best place to start? Since many employers todayutilize online ;job postingsresources, this may be your best bet.With so many job-posting sites, it's a good idea to look at severaljob-posting boards rather than just one or two. Although some ofthose boards may be more popular than others, they are not theonly ones employers utilize. You want to exercise all of youroptions, and you can only do that if you take the time to look atall of the job boards available online. Never assume that allemployers use what you perceive to be the most popular site.That is the same as thinking that all employment agencies willhave the same job listings—a serious mistake in judgment.Since only 20 percent of available jobs are posted in the localnewspapers, does that mean you should not use that as a source?Of course you should not eliminate using your local newspaperjob advertisements, but you should not limit yourself to that onesource. If you are a serious job seeker, you will use any and allresources that are available. The more potential resources youutilize, the better your chances are of finding the job that isperfect for you. In addition, the more sources of jobadvertisements you search, the quicker you will be able to find ajob. When you limit yourself to only a few resources, you willnot have access to everything that is available, which will limityour search. The more resources you have available, the moreoptions you open you avail yourself to and the quicker you willbe able to find the job that most appeals to you.