If you’ve been conducting your job search for quite a while now and have still had no luck, perhaps it’s time to rethink your product launch. Have you tried every strategy you can think of and still haven’t found a job? If this sounds like you, I can understand your frustration that you are undoubtedly feeling. At this point in time, your best bet is to analyze your marketing scheme, and then do some tweaking to help revive your job search.
It’s important to remember that when you are marketing yourself to employers, it is much the same as any other marketing campaign. So, if the market is not favourably reacting to your product, it’s time to change your marketing campaign. Below are some ways to do just that:
1. Establish your target market: Although you may feel that it is better to sell yourself as someone who can do it all, this approach can actually end up getting you fewer opportunities. That is because your resume and job search will both lack focus. You need to clearly define your target market – the area where you have both experience and skills. You are best equipped for a certain area, so find out what that is by determining your interests and your type of experience, and how the two fit together. It will bring focus to your job search, will make you seem more employable to employers and will give you direction.
2. Market Yourself: It is important that you get in touch with your inner “used car salesman”. The point of your job search is to effectively sell yourself to potential employers. To help you, why not pick up some sales books that will tell you how to create a successful sales pitch and handle objections. You need to be able to clearly state what you want, what you can do for a company, and how a company can benefit from hiring you.
3. Make the Most of Your Time: Objectively analyze how you are spending your job search time. You need to make sure that you are spending that time the best way possible. Many people spend lots of time on their job search, but on less productive or important activities. The fact that they are busy will make them think that they are doing a lot for their job search, but the fact that they are getting nowhere will quickly frustrate them.
Remember that most people will spend the majority of their time looking for and responding to job ads, both electronically and in the paper. This is only one way to find jobs, and it is the most crowded with competition. It is vital to your job search that you utilize the vast and hidden job market as well. Although this can be more intimidating and more difficult, the payoff should be more than worth it. Most jobs are filled without advertising, so you need to tap into that potential.
4. Seek Assistance: If you’ve been job hunting for months and nothing is working, you may simply need some help from an objective third-party. Consider seeing a psychologist, counsellor, or clergyperson for some advice and outside opinions on your job search. It can be helpful to speak to someone outside of your situation. They can give you clarity and a fresh perspective. Also, it can be extremely helpful to seek job-specific help in the form of an employment office, staffing agency, or a job/interview coach. These resources can give you more tips on how to structure your job search, improve your interview techniques, and sell yourself effectively. They can also help you to find employment opportunities.
Candace Davies is the owner of A+ Resumes for Teachers and is a Certified Resume Writer and Interview Coach Strategist who is dedicated to assisting teachers, administrators and other professionals within the education sector. She has helped countless teaching professionals land their dream teaching jobs. Let her help you land your dream teaching job by visiting: http://resumes-for-teachers.com. Also, you won’t want to miss out on getting a free preview of her best-selling e-book, Teachers’ Interview Edge, when you sign-up for Candace’s FREE A+ Career Curriculum e-newsletter: http://resumes-for-teachers.com/signup-details.php