Labour Market Information

Did you know that Labour Market Information (LMI) is useful for your job search? Although some people feel that researching this information can seem time consuming and redundant, it actually lets you see trends, forecasts, job descriptions/requirements, salary ranges and even related occupations to the occupation you are seeking (perfect for the person looking to make a career change using their transferrable skills).

In Canada we have incredible websites to use as a resource for LMI research.  We have compiled a list of our favorite websites below.

Labour Market Services: www.labourmarketservices.gov.bc.ca

Working in Canada: www.workingincanada.bc.ca

NOC – Working in Canada Tool: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx

Work Futures:  http://www.workfutures.bc.ca/

BC Labour Market Report: http://www.labourmarketsolutions.ca/

To get the most out LMI – try using the list below to guide you in your information discovery process.

Occupation: _________________________________________

1.     Industries that employee this occupation

2.     Trends & Forecasts (by province and city)

3.     Educational Requirements

4.     Skills/Abilities required for occupation

5.     Responsibilities/Job Duties of occupation

6.     Related Occupations

7.     Salary Range

8.     Industry Outlook  

Taking the time to research occupations and labour market information may seem overwhelming, but it will pay off in the long run and you will see the light at the end of the job search tunnel! 

~Sunny & Sassy

Getting reacquainted with your Values

Sometimes when job searching , we tend to forget our values and just accept the first job that is thrown your way regardless of whether or not the company and/or the position are a good fit to us.  This can result in more stress because we are then in a position of unhappiness with our workplace.  It’s best that you take the time to interview the employer and research the company before accepting any job offers. 

Use the checklist below to get reacquainted with your values and know yourself better!  Select the items that are highly important to you.

 

□      Family

□      Friendship

□      Reliability

□      Trust

□      Harmony

□      Competitiveness

□      Self-Expression

□      Creativity

□      Loyalty

□      Freedom to do

□      Material gain

□      Open-mindedness

□      Hard work

□      Independence

□      Success

□      Perseverance

□      Commitment

□      Personal growth

□      Faith/spirituality

□      Helping others

□      Making an impact on society

□      Practicality

□      Adventure

□      Respect

□      Solitude

□      Continuous learning

□      Being challenged

□      Low-stress

Make a list of your top 5 values and keep these in mind while you are interviewing potential employers and researching companies. 

Remember: your job takes up a huge part of your day – make sure you are happy with what your doing and who you are working for!  Don’t surrender your values just because you need employment right away.

Goal Setting

Everyone has goals in some form or another but reaching your goals can at times be difficult.  This may be due to a number of factors such as not thinking of the steps to reach your goal, distractions that interfere with reaching your goal, having too many goals at once or not a clear enough goal.  You can sometimes feel overwhelmed and your goals fall out of sight.  Developing a plan can help you stay on track and reach your goals!  A useful tool when making a plan to meet your goals is the SMART system that is demonstrated below.

S        M        A        R        T

Specific – when you set specific goals you are more likely to reach them; don’t be vague, set what your aim is.  For example: “my goal is to find a job” vs. “my goal is to find an office administrator job”

Measurable – set up a system to show the progress of reaching your goal.   This will allow you to visually see the steps and the work that you have put into obtaining your goal.  For Example:  develop a tracking system to record your job search activities ie: networking events, jobs you have applied for through email, etc.

Achievable – when setting your goals, remember to think about whether or not your goal is achievable.  Record the barriers that may stop you from achieving your goal and determine whether or not you have the tools/support necessary to overcome those barriers

Realistic – ensure that your goal is realistic.  For example: If you set a goal to become a doctor, do you have the educational background to become a doctor?  If you do, do you have the funds and time to attend university to become a doctor? 

Timeframe – determine a specific timeframe that you want to achieve your goal by.  This will help you to stay on track and the steps it takes to reach your goals.

Setting goals is important in order for us to move forward in our lives.

 

It’s important to remember that if you do not achieve your goal in the timeframe that you have allotted yourself, this is not a failure.  You can be proud of the steps that you have taken to work towards your goals and extend your timeframe if you are on track.

Goals will change as people are constantly growing and changing throughout their lives.  It is ok to adjust your goals to fit you current situation and changes that may have impacted your life. 

When developing your goals, make sure that they are just that…your goals.  Sometimes influences from partners, parents, children, co-workers can affect what you see as your goals.  Spend sometime with self-reflection and really think about what You want and develop your goal list from that. 

A helpful chart to use:

I want to [insert goal] by [insert timeframe] and I will reach this goal by

Step 1______________________________

Step 2______________________________

Step 3______________________________

And so on.

Keeping your goal and your plan with you is also a good idea; this allows you to keep your plan in action at all times.  Set up alerts in your phone or calendar that remind you when you must perform a step for reaching your goal.  Create a vision board that shows you reaching your goal and post it on your refrigerator.  Do whatever helps you keep that goal fresh in your mind.

Persevere and keep on track with your job search goals by using the S.M.A.R.T. system and before you know it, you will see the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                                    -Sunny & Sassy

Comment from Jenna in Seattle

“What do you suggest if someone is lost as far as which career direction to go in? I don't have a problem with the confidence part - I've succeeded in every field I've tried, so I know I have a valuable skill set. However, it's been very difficult to know which direction to send resumes out, or how to tailor them if I'm not certain what career I want” – Jenna in Seattle

Hello Jenna in Seattle:

Thank you for your comment on our blog.  It sounds like you have explored some options for your career and that you have not found your passion yet.  The career exploration process can take time; we think you are right on track with trying out different fields.  Since you have a varied skill set that can also work in your favor as you will most likely be able to work in various fields and already have transferrable skills and experience.  Its best to start by looking at your values, talents and what makes you the happiest and then work from there.  We would like to direct you to read our blog post “Exploring your career options” (the links are provided below).  There are links to various career exploration websites online (free) that can help you determine your interests and explore options.

http://jobsos.blogspot.com/2011/04/exploring-your-career-options-part-1.html

http://jobsos.blogspot.com/2011/04/exploring-your-career-options-part-2.html

This website also has some career tests/assessment links: http://www.helpguide.org/life/finding_career.htm 

Once you have determined the occupation/industry that you want, it should be easier to determine what companies to send your resumes too and how to tailor your resume to fit those companies/positions.  If you need any assistance in doing this, please feel free to contact us via email jobsearchsos@gmail.com

Good luck during your exploration; it is an amazing thing once you determine what really makes you tick and try to do it for a living!!

~Sunny & Sassy

Effective Communication Tips

Increase your Self Esteem with these 5 simple things

Spend some time with yourself – by yourself!  Take the time to spend a few minutes alone each day and reflect on the positive things about yourself and your life that you love the most. 

Experiment with your style!  This doesn’t mean going out and buying a new wardrobe.  Go through your closet and try to match different things to make a new outfit – or style your hair in a new way than you typically do.  Have a beard?  Try shaving it off and seeing what you look like!  

Make a list of your greatest Accomplishments!  Grab a notebook, a cup of tea and a cozy seat and brainstorm a list of your greatest accomplishments that are important to You.  Try to only focus on what you feel is important – leave out the things that you thought would make your spouse, children, family and friends happy and just focus on what you did that truly made You happy.

Take Stock of the People in your life!  Reflect on those who make you feel the happiest, who make you smile and laugh and give you guidance.  Remember those people when you are feeling out of esteem; call them up for a laugh.

Read an old time favorite!  Reading can relax and recharge your self-esteem by allowing your mind to be creative and take a journey into the world in the book.

Preparing to Break back into the Workforce after Raising your Children

Job Searching is difficult….job searching with limited skills/experience or outdated skills/experience is even more difficult!  Rest assured that there are a few things that you can do to prepare yourself for your job search and make yourself more employable after returning to the workforce from raising your children. 

It’s important to remember to acknowledge your feelings about returning to work and acknowledge the stress this situation may put on your and your children.   Ensuing that you are including your children in the childcare decisions and talking to your children about the upcoming separation will help both you and them cope with this change.


You will need to consider things such as whether or not you will work part-time or full-time, the type of childcare you will require and whether or not you want to work in the same industry as you previously did. 


In order to keep your skill set fresh, it’s a good idea to find a volunteer position relating to the industry that you are looking for work in.  This will allow you to expand your network and learn about new skills in your industry.  Volunteering is also a good way to ease your children into the daily routine of not having you around all the time.


Ensure you are keeping contact with your social network!  Update your status on LinkedIn to say that you are seeking employment/volunteer opportunities and connect with groups/companies using Twitter or LinkedIn to keep in tune with the employment world.


Make sure that you explain your absence from the work world in your cover letter when applying for positions; that way the employer will not jump to conclusions if they see a gap in work experience on your resume.


During the job interview; ensure the employer knows that you have childcare arrangements and back-up arrangements.  Even though it's not right, some employers will judge a working parent and may think they will have to take a lot of time off work – its best to prove to them that you have it covered!

~Sunny & Sassy

Struggling with Self Confidence

A lack of self confidence can ultimately sabotage your job search.  It’s not uncommon to lose self confidence and feel rejected while job searching, especially if you are not moving forward as quickly as you would like; however, its important to keep an eye on your struggling self confidence in order to remain productive. 

When struggling with low self confidence, people will often create barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.  Remember your strengths and successes – jot down what makes you shine in your career, what you have been complimented on in the past and what makes you a success in your industry.  Its easy to lose sight of the things that we do the best, especially when we are feeling low on ourselves and our accomplishments.

Keep active and participate in the extra curricular activities that you enjoy doing in order to keep yourself in a positive light.  The more down on ourselves that we get, the worse our confidence will suffer.  Staying connected to friends and family and the things that we enjoy in our lives will help prevent job search burn-out and feelings of doubt. 

It's important try and avoid being too hard on yourself.  It's ok if you make a mistake; life is about making mistakes so that we learn from them.  During your job search, you may not be chosen for every opportunity that you apply for but if you take the time to reflect on the interview that went wrong or the resume that was not tailored well enough, then you will learn for the next experience. 

~Sunny & Sassy

Tips on How to Discover Motivation When Confronted with a Sense of Failure

For some jobseekers, failure may begin to feel common place. Feelings of despair and depression may begin to set in. 

If you are experiencing a sense of failure, you are not alone! It is not uncommon to feel this way, especially if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time. However, it is important to acknowledge and deal with your feelings.

The first step in dealing with a feeling of failure is to realize that failure is inevitable. We all fail in various ways and for various reasons. And it's how we deal with failure that will make the difference when it comes to our motivation and the impact that failure has on our well-being.
It is also important to recognize that failure can, in fact, be a motivator, pushing us to do better. And dealing with failure teaches us how to survive.

 Some tips on how to discover motivation when confronted with a sense of failure are:

• Learn from your mistakes - ie)  if you feel that you didn't perform well in a job interview, take a few minutes after the interview and ask yourself what you would do differently. You may benefit from jotting down a few notes so that you don't forget. Once you've determined what you can improve on, utilize your new awareness in your next interview.
• Find the positive in a negative situation. This may be difficult to do however, search for the positive - ie) Possibly the job was not the best fit for you and it is best that you were not offered the position. Remind yourself that you can use your experience to do better next time.
• Recognize that failing at a task does not mean that you are a 'failure'. To error is human. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from it and move on.
• Talk to someone who is supportive. It's okay to release your feelings of failure, but in doing so, it is important to find someone who is positive and supportive to speak to. Choosing to disclose to someone who you think may focus on the negative will not be productive and will bring you down.
•  Express your emotions in a creative way ie) journal, write, draw, play music, dance, etc. If you feel you are not able to do this, release your feelings through sports, exercise etc. Set a goal for yourself and reach it.

Be persistent and determined and turn your feelings of failure into a sense of motivation! And before you know it, you will find the light at the end of the job search tunnel.

                                                                                                                                         -Sunny + Sassy

Adding a special touch to your resume

Todays job market is highly competitive; your strong networking skills, cover letter and resume is what will let you succeed in landing the perfect position!

We recently read an article about creativity and your resume and we strongly agree that in order for your resume to get noticed - it needs to stand-out in the pile!!

So many resumes are basic these days, making the employer bored and uninterested while sifting through thousands of the same resumes in the pile.  

Ensuring your resume has the proper information and is tailored to the specific job you are applying for is only going to take you so far; get creative -

add a border, add a dynamic "personal profile" or add graphics, etc if that is related to the occupation you are seeking.

You can also do a Google search for various resume formats and use them as guides when creating your own resume.

~Sunny & Sassy

Helpful Tips for Internet Job Searching

When job searching on the internet, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of job boards and resources out there!  While some websites may not have what you are looking for, there will be a few key websites to keep checking back with. 

• Create a master list of the websites that have the type of job you are looking for and good career/job search advice that you find helpful; this will allow you to check back on them throughout the week

• Most job board websites have an option for you to sign up to receive emails about new jobs being posted - utilize this tool!

• When completing online applications, you are given an option to upload your resume – ensure you tailor your resume to the job posting even though you will be entering additional information into the automated application; this shows your initiative and interest in the job that you are applying for

• When searching for job search websites in “google” – use more defined key words, for example, instead of just typing “job search websites” add your city of residence to get a list of website more related to what you are looking for

• Be cautious of websites that want you to purchase something - typically you can get what you are looking for online for free!  From resume templates to job postings, these can all be found without spending money

• Don't let the 1000's of job search websites overwhelm you, have a look at the ones that you have searched for and if they have what you are looking for - add them to your master list - if they don't, then move past that website - but do sign up for notifications in case something that you're looking for is posted.

Remeber - the internet is a great tool and if used correctly, can allow you access to a great opportunity!

~Sunny & Sassy

Tip of the Week

It’s about that time again, where the trees will start to change color, the air will become crisper, college students are heading back to school and some full-time workers will decrease their hours to part-time to meet the needs of their families. 

The changing season means there may be more jobs available in customer service, trades, and hospitality industry.  

Ensure your resume, cover letter and references are up to date and are tailored to specific opportunities to maximize your job search!

Maximizing Your Internet Job Search

There are hundreds of websites where you can access job postings and even post your resume for viewing; however, is your resume really being viewed, and how many other hundreds of people are applying for the same job?

Internet job searching may seem like a bit of a black hole – you’re never guaranteed that your resume is being read by an HR team.  Many online candidates receive an automated response, which can be irritating and a bit of a downer.  So how do you ensure you are being productive when using the internet to job search?

Run a proper “Google” search – when running a Google search to find job search websites, make sure you are detailed.  Just typing in “job search” will generate millions of websites and that can be overwhelming.  Try being specific with the industry that you are looking for and/or adding your location to your search to narrow down your search.

Look for websites that are a one-stop shop - these websites pull job postings from a variety of different job search websites all in one place, making your browsing easier and less time consuming. 

Don’t forget Business Websites – Even though some employers will post their job postings on job boards, for the most part, employers will post on their own company websites.  You will also benefit from accessing the job posting through the company website as the posting tends to be more detailed.  While you,re on their website, you can read more about the company and ensure it’s a company that you want to work for!

Look Local - access your local newspaper online and local business websites.  Also try accessing local conversation boards online; you never know who you will meet and they may have your next job lead!

Remember – the internet can definitely benefit your job search, but don’t depend on  the internet as the only method you use while job searching; incorporate networking – both in-person and through social media, to increase your job search success!

~Sunny & Sassy

Under Qualified?

Is the feedback from your interviews suggesting that you are under qualified?  If so, it’s a good time to increase/improve your skills! 

Take a course – through community colleges and private companies you can access stand-alone (ie: MS Word/Excel, Occupational First Aid, Cashier training) courses that will increase your skill sets.  A short-term course may be what you need to move forward in your job search and land the job that you really want.  There are also a number of online courses that you may be able to access; some of which are free to attend.  Try doing a google search to find out further information.  If you have been browsing job postings and see a pattern of the training the employers want to see, then taking a course may be a wise idea!

Volunteer - enhance your skills and knowledge of an industry by volunteering!  This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet valuable contacts that may lead you  to your next job!  Contact your local community resource centre to find out about opportunities.

Be Willing to Learn - let the employer know that you are willing and ready to learn new skills; if you have the right attitude and are a good fit for the position, you may be hired on the agreement that you will get the training you require for the position within the first few months.  Also, most employers are willing to train employees on certain things if the employee is otherwise a perfect fit for the position!

If you are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment because you are under qualified, now is the time to upgrade, develop and/or polish your skills. Do your research and acquire the information you need to move you closer to the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                   -Sunny + Sassy

NOT GETTING JOB INTERVIEWS?

Then, it's time to step back and re-assess your job strategies.Ask yourself the following questions:

1.    Are my employment goals realistic?
2.    Am I tailoring my resume to reflect the employer's requirements?
3.    Am I applying to jobs that I am qualified for?
4.    Is my job search too narrow? Too broad?
5.    Do I need to brush up on my skills? If so what can I do to improve my skills?
6.    Am I limiting my job search? ie. online only
7.    Do I have an exceptional cover letter?
8.    Am I isolated in my job search?  Do I need to expand my job search network?
9.    Am I utilizing all my job search skills? Does my job search include a variety of strategies?
10.  Am I making time to take care of myself physically and emotionally?

Spend time reflecting on your answers to these questions and work on improving your job search plan.
Stepping back and re-assessing your plan will help you to see the light at the end of the job search tunnel!  

                                                                                                                                    -Sunny + Sassy

The Importance of Networking

Networking is an important component in an effective job search. Without it, jobseekers risk isolating themselves and may be more prone to falling into a state of despair, panic or depression.
Networking not only provides support and improved confidence for the job seeker but also opens up more opportunities for job leads.

Some ideas for expanding job search networks include:
-Support groups ie) job clubs, recreation, interest groups
-Social media ie) LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter including online groups
-Volunteer work
-Social gatherings and events
-Job/Career Fairs

As a job seeker, it is important to maximize your networks. Spend time daily and weekly working on expanding your network and have business cards handy at all times to assist you in your networking.

Remember, the more connections you make the more opportunities you have to discover new job leads and to eventually land a great job!

Awareness and determination with networking will lead you to the light at the end of the job
search tunnel!
                                                                                                                                     -Sunny + Sassy

Job Searching in a Competitive Market

With the economy the way it is, job searching has become increasingly more difficult.  The competition for the limited jobs available is overwhelming and you need to stand out in the crowd if you plan on getting an interview!  If you have not been getting responses to your resume and applications, then you need to try something different!

One way is to revamp your current resume; we’ve discussed this several times in our blog posts and there is a reason we keep coming back to it – it’s so important to have a winning resume in order to land an interview!   Have another set of eyes review your resume to receive other options  and ideas on what can be done differently.  Try different formats and fonts to spice it up a little bit.  And always make sure you are only putting information that is necessary and eye-catching on your resume.   Remember to tailor each resume to each job that you are applying for – sell your skills/experience in your resume!

Expanding your network, both in-person and online is important to stand-out.  Learn as much as you can about online networking and sign up for social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. And keep active using these tools.

Keep fresh about what is going on in your industry.  Volunteer or start a blog – showing the employer that you are active in your industry will show your dedication!

Keep at it and before you know it, you will see the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                       -Sunny + Sassy

JOB SEARCH DESPERATION

Feeling a sense of desperation + panic when you think about your job search? If so, you are not alone. As each day passes by that you are unemployed, the more distant you may become from the routine of work. Over an extended period of time the idea of working may become unfamiliar to you. Imagining working becomes difficult and foreign to you. This unfamiliarity may add to your feelings of panic and anxiousness. Eventually, a sense of desperation sets in.

To an employer in an interview, you may come across as desperate. And desperation is not going to land you a job.
Some tips to help you prevent or minimize the feeling of desperation many jobseekers experience are as follows:

1. Set a job search schedule very similar to a work schedule so that you maintain a sense of regularity
and familiarity

2. Keep on top of your industry. For instance, make a point of reading the business paper; the career section of the weekend newspaper; subscribe to online newsletters; open a Twitter acct and follow your industry; utilize LinkedIn groups

3. Network. Avoid becoming isolated. Maintain your social contacts. Consider volunteering. Being unemployed doesn't mean that you have a curse! Do not be afraid to let your circle of friends and family know that you are looking for work.

4. Recognize and understand that the job may not be immediate. Be diligent and patient.

5. Respond to job leads immediately and develop a follow-up routine for job applications as well as  thank you notes or emails for interviews that you have attended.

6. Practice positive self-talk regularly.

7. Make time to relax as well as to exercise; do things periodically to take your mind off of your job search

8. Before attending an interview, breathe deeply and be aware of how you are coming across to the interviewer. Remember, desperation will not land you the job. Try and relax as much as possible.

9. And last but not least, maintain hope and belief in yourself. And remember that persistence, determination and patience will lead you to the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                        -Sunny + Sassy

Thank You for Your Support!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been following our blog. We truly hope that what we have to say is helping you through your job search and providing you with the tools you need to find the light at the end of the job search tunnel. 

If you have any questions, need any advice on a situation, or have suggestions for our site, we are more than happy to hear from you!

Email us at jobsearchsos@gmail.com 


Thank you again!


Sunny + Sassy

Surviving on a Limited Budget while Unemployed

For some people, budgeting money is difficult to do.  However, when you are unemployed –budgeting is mandatory!  We have compiled a few tips on how to save money and survive on a limited budget!

First things first – you don’t have to give up everything that you love just because you are living more budget conscious.  Pick one or two “must haves” to incorporate in your budget; this will make you happier in the long run.  Depriving yourself of everything that you love will only make you feel worse.

Access your community resources – so many communities have activities and services for lower income individuals and families.  Contact your local Community Resources centre to learn about these services in your area.  Examples of these services may include: lower recreation pass costs, food banks, clothing, furniture, etc.  These services shouldn’t be looked at with a stereotypical eye; they are here to assist people in their time of need.  

Clip coupons – this seems timely, but with the internet it can be a snap.  Try doing a google search to find relevant coupons for your city, province/state or country.  

Be a smart shopper – many stores have different deals on different things.  Try going to various superstores and markets for the best deals. Farmers Markets typically have the most affordable and best produce.

Be Thrifty!  Shopping for clothing in thrift stores and consignment stores can save you tons of money on gently used, quality and typically brand-name clothing! Consider consigning some of your clothing.

Don’t forget the small stuff – when creating your budget include everything that you spend money on, straight down to that cup of coffee in the morning.  Once you have created this list, you can then start trimming it down by coming up with ideas of how to access free or lower cost-effective spending.  For example – try purchasing a travel mug and make your cup of coffee at home before you leave the house! 

Assess your communication and entertainment costs.  Possibly you will be able to reduce some of these costs until you are back on your feet.

Consider bartering or trading for necessary items. For example,  a neighbor is a hair stylist; you are a gardener. Possibly a haircut in return for some gardening/cutting grass etc.

Cut down on your banking expenses as much as possible. The fees included with debit withdrawals add up! Be extremely cautious about using credit cards - the interest rates are high and add up! Avoid credit if at all possible!

If you own a vehicle, re-examine your insurance costs to ensure that your insurance reflects your living situation. Paying insurance to drive your car to work may be substantially more than pleasure only. You may want to consider taking transit, walking more and/or cycling.

Because being unemployed is a stressful time financially, it is important to continue to be diligent with your job seach while at the same time keeping your expenses as minimal as possible. It is also important to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Try to spend some of your time enjoying free events in your community/ neighborhood, walking, cycling and socializing.  Reading, writing, hobbies and crafts are other examples of healthy entertainment.

Keep reminding yourself that this is a temporary situation and that eventually you will see the light at the end of the tunnel!

                                                                                                                                    -Sunny + Sassy

Summer Job Search

For some jobseekers, job searching in the summer months may seem futile - employers take longer than usual to respond; job seekers may think that most employers are not hiring in the summer and if they do, they are only hiring students.

But, actually, for most employers this is not the case. Regardless of the time of year, employees continue to exit jobs, new contracts are secured, businesses expand, and opportunities for job seekers open up. Many employers continue to hire over the summer and may be more apt to begin interviewing sooner than later due to the slowing down of daily business allowing interviewers more time to cull through resumes and organize interviews.

Therefore, it is in the interest of the jobseeker to not lose momentum over the summer.  It is important to continue to act on job leads quickly and efficiently including follow up.

And because so many jobseekers fall into the trap of slowing down their searches over the summer, this opens up more opportunities for those who continue to search. So, keep at it!  Don't let the summer slow you and your search down. And before you know it, you will see the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                             -Sunny + Sassy

                                                                                  

Goal Setting

When setting your job search goals, consider using the S.M.A.R.T formula to keep you on track:

S - SPECIFIC
Specific goals have a much greater chance of success verses general goals. ie) Target companies which you would like to work for; research the companies and organize informational interviews

M - MEASURABLE
Your job search goals must be measurable; ie) organize a job log to track and monitor your progress and to ensure that you are following up with phone calls, emails and thank you cards/notes

A - ATTAINABLE
Goals are attainable if you follow your job search plan; are determined and patient.

R - REALISTIC
Your job search goals are realistic if you truly believe you can accomplish them. ie) it is not realistic to apply for positions which you are not qualified for.

T - TIMELY
Set your goals within a time frame ie) apply for 5 jobs per day; 2 informational interviews per week

The Job Search Girls - Sunny & Sassy

*This post has been re-posted 

Take Inventory of How you are Feeling

It’s important to know what your feelings and emotions are towards job searching in order to assure you are giving your best to your job search.  Checking in on your emotions is a great way to explore your happiness in any of life’s projects.  


Be sure to do a weekly check-in with yourself to make sure that you are on track.




Ask yourself the following questions and rate how you feel between 1 and 5

1.     Are my work skills adequate to find the type of employment I am looking for? 

2.     Do I have the right job search skills in order to job search effectively?

3.     Is my cover letter and resume getting me interviews?

4.     Have I sent out as many job applications as I could have this week?

5.     Do I have the right attitude to get out of the house and do some networking?

6.     Is my image generating results?

7.     Is my grooming presentable?

8.     How is my attitude about job searching and being employed?

9.     What was my self-confidence like this week?

Take note of how you’re feeling each week and reflect on what may be happening in your life on the weeks where you are not feeling that great.  Remember to journal about your job search in order to notice things that de-motivate you or lower your self-esteem.  Once you are more self-aware of how you are feeling and what makes you feel that way, you can make the proper adjustments (or work towards making those adjustments) and find the light at the end of the job search tunnel!!

~Sunny & Sassy