Practical Advice for Job Seeker

September 13, 2005 9:49 AM

What steps do I take to find a new job? Seriously.

I'm quickly approaching 40 and have never actively looked for a job. Most have happily landed in my lap. For the last ten years I have worked for a college friend who started his own company.

Beyond writing a resumé, what practical steps should I take to seek new employment? How agressive should I be when contacting people? Any personal experiences and/or advice is much appreciated.

(I work in the communications field but I'm really looking for general information/advice that is not necessarily job specific.)

posted by captainscared to work & money (11 comments total)

Start with networking. Call all of your friends who are gainfully employed, and see if they know of anything, anywhere, that's available. If you can get a foot in the door through networking, you're almost assured a position. Oh, and don't go to the interview naked, wearing only a top hat and a monocle. I've tried that, it doesn't work.
posted by thanotopsis at 10:03 AM on September 13, 2005

How agressive should I be when contacting people?
Agressive, no. Persistent, yes. When you contact a potential employer, it's good to check back periodically (weekly) to find out if there's any movement. This looks to them like interest. Don't call every day; that looks like desperation. BTW, they all say they'll call you. Unless they've decided to make you an offer, they won't call. Any of them. Ever. Your weekly call is how you find out they've hired someone else/eliminated the position/gone bankrupt/whatever.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:57 AM on September 13, 2005

Agressive, no. Persistent, yes.

The term is "polite pest."

My best answer to the question is: Let people know that you're looking. And I'd also recommend this book.
posted by cribcage at 11:05 AM on September 13, 2005

Listen to what everyone else has said: networking. I hate networking, but that is what's gotten me my last three jobs. You're almost my age, so I assume you have a lot of contacts and friends. In one case I found out that someone I once sort of knew from church was president of a company. He had no openings, but he contracted work to another company where another sort-of acquaintance was a hiring manager. In another instance I asked a grad-school classmate if he knew of any jobs and he just happened to need someone just like me.

There's a lot of luck involved, but putting your name out there improves your odds. You will also need to go on a lot of interviews. Most of these will go nowhere, but you must interview anyway for a number of reasons. Not the least of these is that it shows your spouse you're working toward finding a job.
posted by booth at 11:37 AM on September 13, 2005

Never hurts to post your resume online.
posted by delmoi at 12:07 PM on September 13, 2005

Don't call every day; that looks like desperation.
And don't call the boss' home number. Don't call and say you're returning someone's call when you aren't. Don't call and be rude to the person answering phones, because she will tell everyone in the office, and they will all make fun of you behind your back (this was all one person looking for a job at my office, btw).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:30 PM on September 13, 2005 [1 favorite]

Thanks for all the advice on returning calls. I'm also looking for other practical advice. If you were starting a job search today, what steps would you take?
posted by captainscared at 1:04 PM on September 13, 2005

Make sure you have decent interviewing clothes. Generally, you need to dress more formally for an interview than for everyday office wear. If you aren't sure your clothes are good enough, get thee to a good shop and buy some new clothes. (I'm an engineer and everyone wears jeans and Tshirts at work, but even we pull out the suits for an interview.)

Grooming is key (but go easy on the aftershave/cologne, if you decide to use any at all).

Find out something about the company before you interview there.

And write a thank you note after each interview (assuming you'd want to work for the company).

Good luck!
posted by luneray at 2:19 PM on September 13, 2005

Take the time to focus on what you want to do. Writing a good resume helps you learn how to market your skills. Assess your past work and find examples of work that you're proud of/happy with.

When you network, keep in mind that you are the prize; companies need great employees, and in the right job, you'll be a great asset to them. So you're using your network of friends and family to make a good match.

If you went to college, your school should have some resources to help. Good luck.
posted by theora55 at 2:51 PM on September 13, 2005

I would recommend talking to either recruiters or a career management firm. I worked for Lee Hecht Harrison for a few years, and we often worked with people who hadn't looked for a job in a long time (if ever). Companies like that (DBM is another big one) can help you learn skills you'll need, but it can be a little pricey. We ran two-day seminars on all the basic job-hunting skills, had consultants to meet with for an hour at a time, and had mini-seminars on specific aspects like networking, interviewing, and career building.

I like theora55's suggestion of checking with your ex-school. Most major universities have career offices.

Start looking for job openings online, just to get an idea of what's open and what interests you. Apply if you think something looks good, at least to get practice on it.

I'm sure there are great books out there that will give you examples of cover letters and resumes and such, but I can't think of any offhand.

Good luck!
posted by bibbit at 3:23 PM on September 13, 2005

Never hurts to post your resume online.
Unless you're not fond of getting spam and inquiries from headhunters with jobs you don't want . . .
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:52 PM on September 13, 2005