Unemployed? Here’s How to Get Started on your Job Search

Get Started on your Job SearchLost your job a couple of days ago? Don’t know how to bounce back? Here’s how to get yourself on track and find a new job.

Being unemployed doesn’t mean you have to stay unemployed. Though it can be difficult to look for a job, be sure to go the extra mile to secure a job as soon as possible. Here are some tips to help:

Go back to basics. Reach out to your old friends and let them know that you need help. Let them know what type of job you are interested in, which companies you want to work for and communicate why you are great at what you do. Those friends who want to help you find a job may be able to connect you with work that will fit your personality and skills.

Make an effort to reach out. Create a list full of people you know that can help you. (Asking for help and advice by sending a blanket email won’t work.)Personalize each email, be direct and sincere, and see what happens.

Connect. You can get connected with more people by joining professional associations and networking groups for job seekers. You might consider volunteering for a little while in order to gain experience and build your network. You never know when you’ll meet someone that can help you become employed.

Build your online profile. Create a professional profile online to connect with people that can help. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and represents your real-life network. Stay in touch with your network — you can use it to mine valuable information and reach out to contacts over time.

Polish your resume. When was the last time you updated your resume? There have been a lot of changes over the past year regarding resumes. Do your research and talk to experts who can help. Adapt your resume for every job you apply for. If you’re not getting any calls, you may want to review your resume one more time. When your phone starts ringing non-stop, then you’ll know your resume is hitting the mark.

Take care of yourself. Make sure to eat healthy food, exercise and spend time doing the things you enjoy the most. You’re still living your life, even if you’re temporarily out of the workforce.

Have a backup plan. If your efforts aren’t bringing results, don’t wait until your severance runs out. Generate income by taking temp jobs or working in retail. Know the options to avoid being sidelined by a bleak outlook.

These tips should be able to help you get back on track after losing your job. It’s important to do your part. Don’t solely rely on others. Exert effort and work hard to generate the results you want.

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Alan Carniol

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 80,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.