In less than a decade, anyone using a typewriter probably moved to a word-processor and then a computer. We have become a technological society in many other ways. The majority of new jobs created today have a relation to technology in some fashion. Earlier in the 1970's and 1980's the highest paid workers at any specific company were the ones in upper middle management positions. They had worked their way up the ladder, paying their dues, so to speak, with the company. Now the highest paid are usually the most recently hired in the management information section, programming or designing. Older workers who do not have these new skills are being retired, down sized or simply let go. Even during periods of relatively high employment, older workers have not faired well. Those who are over forty, in particular, are looking over their shoulders, if they are still employed; they hear footsteps. Those who are not employed are having trouble defining themselves to prove their worthiness to a new employer.
All of this thought has produced a lot of justified anxiety among the workers who fear that if and when they are cut or if they leave a job, what will they do to get another one? Lacking technological skills is only part of the problem; the other part is marketing oneself to fit the needs of an employer in today's market. It is entirely within the scope of this essay to offer advice on how to find a job, perform the research that helps accomplish that and how to get the positive results you need.
OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF FINDING A JOB
You should prepare for the operational aspects of your search, to determine how you will manage the process. The three most important aspects can be viewed as focus, structure, and control:
FOCUS is the combination of knowing who you are, what you want to do, and where you want to go. It in many respects is like a personal mission statement. At the outset of a job-search, you may not know exactly what your focus is or will be, but you should develop it before launching your campaign. It is something that you should be able to communicate and exhibit at every opportunity. Employers like to see people who are focused. Now is the time to begin thinking about how your focus will evolve.
STRUCTURE is the means of organizing your time and efforts throughout the search. By developing a structure in your campaign, you can become more efficient in the use of your resources. It means having a well-defined plan or how you are going to allocate your time, to what activities, with what priorities. Having structure will also keep you focused on the critical tasks and create a sense of purpose in all that you do.
CONTROL is the realization that you and you alone are in charge. You are making the decisions and calling the shots. You are the one who determines the direction, the priorities, the actions. The more control you can exercise over the events in your campaign, the more positive effect you can have on the outcomes. As well-meaning as others may be, they cannot have the impact that you can have where your own career is concerned.
GOALS ARE NECESSARY
For you to pace your job search activities in a realistic and productive manner, and to organize what is going to become your guerrilla' campaign for a new job, you must have goals. Your goals must be specific to assist you in focusing on the type of business or industry in which you are most likely to find a job and the characteristics of the type of company you prefer. For example, the size and location of the company, the type of business activity, and other related issues must be decided by you early so that you do not waste your time.
FOCUS ON ONE JOB OBJECTIVE
Focusing on one job objective at a time will help you to avoid feeling scattered or confused. It will save you time, money and heartburn. Focus first on the job objective that you believe has the highest probability of paying off in a job offer.
FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC INDUSTRY OR TYPE OF BUSINESS
If you are convinced you have the ability to work in more than one industry, make a list of the industries or types of businesses that might hire someone with your education and experience.
In summary, preparation for a job search is vital and must begin before you step out into the market seeking new employment. Over forty workers should seek out local organizations that help prepare the applicant for their job search; such organizations can also assist in helping these workers enter federally funded learning programs, specifically, covering such topics as computers and working with computer software.
Losing a job is difficult. Finding a new job is not easy, even for a young, well-educated person. It is a competition. You must, therefore, put your best effort forward to prepare for the task of arranging for finding the right job openings and approaching that employer in a professional manner. |
