PIC Current

By: AJ McCreary, PICurrent Assistant Producer

Job hunting can be an exasperating experience. It’s stressful because it’s a necessity and the hunt can drag on and on! Though it’s a daunting task there are lots of things you can do to help the process.

For starters look at all your options.

• Keep a positive attitude.
• Network: talk to everyone about anything. You never know when a new opportunity will open.
• Volunteer: use your spare time to strengthen skills you have, and gain new ones.
• Always be in a presentable manner, you never know when you will meet a potential employer.
• Update your resume.
• For every job you apply to, write a new cover letter.
• After evry interview you go on, write a thank you note.
• Don’t be afraid to call after submitting a resume or application, the worst can do is say no.

A career counselor at a local college told me “For every ten jobs you apply to expect one call back. Not an interview but one of those jobs will contact you back, either for an interview or for additional information.”

With that said, its probably not you its the market. Don’t be discouraged.

At a seminar featuring a talk from  Dr. Marty Nemko, author of “Cool jobs for Dummies”  I really learned the power of an individual’s drive. If you cannot find a job, make one. Instead  of focusing on the negative, put your energy into what you can do, maybe even create your own job.  Learn to market yourself.

Do you have a skill you can freelance?

Here are a few examples:

• Photography
• Being a DJ
• Event coordinator
• Domestic helper: nanny, house cleaner, or home organizer
• Become a consultant: stylist, dating, or anything else you can think of
• Personal Assistants

For more information on freelancing check out this site.

When deciding to work for yourself there are a few things you need to know:

1. Becareful of the pyramid sales gimmicks, while those are instant employment, it does not mean instant paychecks. Being a party consultant selling products in peoples home sounds ideal,  and can work out for many, but those careers take alot of time, networking, and overall effort. If you are thinking about this route, talk with a variety of reps about their individual experiences and journey to success.
2. Make a plan and stick to it.
3. Make sure you are doing somthing with low overhead, so you can make money and not go into debt.
4. Market yourself, pass out buissness cards, flyers, put ads on free sites like Craigslist.
5. Keep good records for tax purposes.

Another option is returning to school. If you do not have the job experience or education to back the ability you know you have,  looking into various education options may be helpful:

1. Get you GED
2. Trade school: medical assistant, beauty school, paralegal (usually takes 9months to a year to be certified)
3. Two year degree programs
4. Four year college degree

Returning to school may sound scary and expensive but it could be your best option, and open many doors for  you in the future. Talking to an admissions counslor at a local trade school, I gained alot of insight about continuing education. “While four year degrees are great, they don’t gaurentee a job and most majors do not offer specific training that is marketable.

For many people still deciding what they want to do a trade school, which is minimal commitment, and quicke certification does offer a better marketability than your traditional schooling.” Even better yet,  government finacial aid is available at most trade schools, as well as evening and online classes.

What is this?