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Finance -
Personal Finance
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Are you job hunting? If you are…you are certainly not alone. In February more than half a million people alone became unemployed. Many companies – some large and supposedly stable companies – are looking at layoffs, cutbacks or even shutting their doors. Many people who never thought they’d have to job hunt are out in the job market again. Here are some tips to manage your job hunt successfully.
Networking is still one of the very best ways to find a job. While you may feel a little embarrassed to have lost your job – there is much less stigma about it today – there are lots of people unemployed. Now is the ideal time to reconnect with old friends, coworkers and everyone you know. Don’t make the assumption that because someone doesn’t work or doesn’t hold a fancy job title that they can’t help you. You never know who knows someone that can help you.
Look to social networking tools to help keep you active on the job hunt. No – this is not the ideal time to post revealing photos of yourself on your Facebook page. But having updated Facebook and LinkeIn pages can help you get connected with people who may help you find your next job. LinkedIn is especially important as this is social networking for the career minded. You’ll find that people are just as eager to connect with you as you are with them.
One of the true tips for success is to look for ways to help others during this time. Look for a way to be active in your community and to help others that need something. Try taking a volunteer position or do some work at your church or religious organization. Not only does this good work make you feel wonderful – it connects you with some new people in a friendly, low-key way. You never know who you are going to meet and this can be the ideal time to meet someone that can help you find a new job.
Look critically at your skills to see what you can update. If you can’t afford to take classes, look for your state unemployment office as they offer many skills and training for free. Even taking books out of the library on topics can help you learn new skills and stay updated. Reading blogs in your field of interest helps you stay current with the trends and what everyone is talking about.
Remember also that you aren’t the only one out there looking for a job. Look for ways that you can help someone else connect with the job they are looking for. There are probably people in your life that are looking for work. Your going out of your way to help them will make others more likely to go out of their way for you in many ways. People are likely not to forget a kindness – even if it takes awhile for something to come back to you.
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