Aggressive Job Search Strategies For a Difficult Market

For those of you who are out of work, andand regaining your self-respect and self-worth. If
conducting frustrating and fruitless job searches, youyour vision is strong enough, it will become a reality.
must use every method possible to get re-employed.Research and utilize social media outlets and other
In IT and Software, as well as in most fields, "thereforms of networking. Contact companies directly -
are jobs out there." We might be in a deepeven if that means knocking on companies' doors
recession, with no chance of it ending in the nearand asking to speak with the appropriate hiring
future. But that notion is a self fulfilling prophecy.person. I know this may sound extreme, but these
Proactive people are getting new jobs everyday.are extreme times that call for bold and innovative
Again, you need to do whatever it takes to get youraction. Contact alumni from your alma mater; contact
career back on track, today!everyone you have worked with in the past who has
You must make yourself the most employableeven a remote chance of helping you. Follow up on
candidate as possible to get that new job. If you lackevery lead. Call, email and text message to the point
strong interviewing skills, then get them now. If yourof being a pest. And most importantly, do it now!
resume doesn't convey a compelling case why youIf you aren't being ultra-assertive, then get a career
should be hired, then find someone to assist you. Ifcoach to help you discover, and develop that vital
you don't project a positive and proactive image andcompetency. Bottom line: you have to take yourself
attitude, then change it. All the tools that you needoff auto pilot and break through the barriers that are
are available. You just need to use them.between you and the job you want. You might be
I see too many people who seriously impair theirangry, depressed, scared, panicky, or feeling sorry
own job search. They don't know what they want,for yourself, but honestly, companies could care less.
or they do know what they want, but they aren'tThey need people with the right mindset to give
qualified, unless they get more training. They arethem 150% effort from the get-go, and those are
unwilling to even consider a position at a lower level.the people who are "acing" the interviews and landing
Remember, the longer you are out of work, thethe jobs.
more difficult it will be to find a position comparableI hope my call to arms motivates you to develop a
to your last one. Still, for some of you, a careerwinning strategy and a winning attitude that to an
change may be your only hope for employment. Ifemployer makes "you" the best choice for the job.
so, get good unbiased advice, get training, and thenStop listening to the naysayers and cynics who sap
from a more marketable position, start looking.your energy and poison your pride. Forget about the
Certainly you can contact all the headhunters youmedia and its endless barrage of negativity. I know
want, or you can post your resume on every jobyou can do it, and deep down, you know you can do
board that interests you. But if you have beenit too. So, be prepared, be skilled, be positive and get
walking these passive paths towards a new job forout there and do it! Soon you will be moving up in
three to six months with no success, then it's time tosuccess, rather than sinking down in failure.
start running! It's time to envision yourself working