Many of us have periods of time when we were not employed. These gaps in employment may result from various reasons. It is important to be able to handle these gaps in your resume and cover letter. It is also important to be ready to discuss them if they are brought up during a job interview.
Keep in mind that gaps in employment do not have to be harmful to your job search. Just because you were not working does not mean that you were not engaged in activities. Hopefully, those activities can be related to your job; however, even if they are not they usually are not significant negatives if handled properly.
You may have taken classes or received training related to your work, performed volunteer or mission work, cared for a sick relative, or been unable to find work due to an economic downturn either in the general economy or in your specific field. If the gap is less than a year, then make sure to enter dates of employment in years only, do not list the months on your resume. If the gap is of significant length, you should handle it in your cover letter. Do so briefly, state the facts, and do not write a lengthy explanation of a long illness or a frustrating job search. If the gap was a long time ago, do not mention it at all.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the job search you are in now will create a gap should you find yourself seeking a job in the future. Looking for employment is a full time job; however, find some time to engage in activities that will help fill in this gap. Volunteer, take a class, read books and articles about your field of work. Much information can be found online that you can use for self study. Be sure to document as much as possible all of these activities.
Mike Britner
Job Finding Master
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Make Notes After Every Meeting
After every meeting during your job search, you should immediately write down what occurred. Make sure you have a pen and pad with you to do this. Better yet, prepare a form ahead of time with the information that you want to capture. Do this as soon as possible after the meeting. In the parking lot before you drive away or at a convenient place to stop nearby is best.
The importance of doing this is threefold. First, it will help you develop more effective follow-up letters. Second, it will improve your meeting skills. Third, it will place you more in control of what happens next.
The items you should make note of include:
1. The name of the person you met with. Make sure you have the correct spelling and job title. Also describe any thoughts you have about that person.
2. The company name. Again, be sure you have the correct spelling, address, division, department, etc.
3. Note the date and time of the meeting and how long it lasted.
4. Record any observations you made about where the meeting was held and the conditions under which it progressed.
5. State what your objectives were and your perceived objectives of the person you met.
6. What are some of the important things that the person said? These might include criticism, advice, ideas, names, problems, needs, plans, job descriptions, “hot buttons”, areas of special interest, closing remarks, etc.
7. Make note of what you said. Include the reactions of the other person to your remarks. What information did you begin with? What additional information did you volunteer? What did you emphasize about your background and experience? How did you answer the questions that were asked? Did you sense any sensitive areas?
8. If the person you met provided referrals, you should have written them down during the meeting. If so, transcribe them onto this page to make following up easier.
Be as specific as possible when making these notes.
Michael Britner
Job Finding Master
The importance of doing this is threefold. First, it will help you develop more effective follow-up letters. Second, it will improve your meeting skills. Third, it will place you more in control of what happens next.
The items you should make note of include:
1. The name of the person you met with. Make sure you have the correct spelling and job title. Also describe any thoughts you have about that person.
2. The company name. Again, be sure you have the correct spelling, address, division, department, etc.
3. Note the date and time of the meeting and how long it lasted.
4. Record any observations you made about where the meeting was held and the conditions under which it progressed.
5. State what your objectives were and your perceived objectives of the person you met.
6. What are some of the important things that the person said? These might include criticism, advice, ideas, names, problems, needs, plans, job descriptions, “hot buttons”, areas of special interest, closing remarks, etc.
7. Make note of what you said. Include the reactions of the other person to your remarks. What information did you begin with? What additional information did you volunteer? What did you emphasize about your background and experience? How did you answer the questions that were asked? Did you sense any sensitive areas?
8. If the person you met provided referrals, you should have written them down during the meeting. If so, transcribe them onto this page to make following up easier.
Be as specific as possible when making these notes.
Michael Britner
Job Finding Master
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Create Your Own Job!
Job seekers can create jobs! We usually think that businesses create jobs, then job seekers look at the list of job openings and try to get one for themselves. What causes the businessperson to create a new job? Knowing the answer to that question will give you a tremendous advantage in your job search efforts.
Jobs are created when a business decision maker realizes that the solution to a specific problem is to create a new job. Business managers and executives are constantly making and implementing plans in order to achieve the goals set before them. Achieving those goals means solving problems that stand in the way of that success.
Sometimes it is obvious that a new position is required to move the business toward its objective. However, often the decision to create a new job is not the obvious answer to a problem. In those cases the idea that a new job is needed does not occur until some specific event triggers it. The idea to create a job is often triggered when a business decision maker encounters a person with the talents, abilities, skills, and knowledge to help the business overcome a problem and move forward in achieving its goals.
A caller to a talk radio program I recently heard was the owner of a small business who described exactly that same experience. A woman came to him and asked if he had any openings. His immediate response was no I do not have any job openings. However, as their conversation continued and she talked about her background and experience, he began to see that she might be able to help his business. He created a new job for her. I have seen this happen many times.
A primary part of your job search should be a plan of action that brings you together with business managers and executives who need your skills in their companies. Those meetings often result in the businessperson realizing that creating a new job for you can help solve a problem the business has.
Of course, you must approach the businessperson in the proper way. You should consider the way you like to be approached when planning how best to arrange such meetings. Your approach should be gradual and non-threatening. Then use letters, email, and phone calls to set up those meetings. Keep in mind that it may take several attempts to secure a meeting.
You should also plan and practice how you will conduct yourself during the meetings. Refer to the other posts on this blog for advice. Generally, conduct yourself in a cooperative, non-aggressive manner.
Creating your own job may seem strange and different from what you've tried in the past. It is exactly the "outside-the-box" type of thinking that will give you an advantage over others. Studies by a Harvard researcher and the U.S. Department of Labor show that most jobs are found using such non-traditional, informal methods.
Take the advice above and try it. What have you got to lose? If you need help in putting these ideas to work for you, Job Finding Formula shows how to do that.
Michael Britner
Job Finding Master
Jobs are created when a business decision maker realizes that the solution to a specific problem is to create a new job. Business managers and executives are constantly making and implementing plans in order to achieve the goals set before them. Achieving those goals means solving problems that stand in the way of that success.
Sometimes it is obvious that a new position is required to move the business toward its objective. However, often the decision to create a new job is not the obvious answer to a problem. In those cases the idea that a new job is needed does not occur until some specific event triggers it. The idea to create a job is often triggered when a business decision maker encounters a person with the talents, abilities, skills, and knowledge to help the business overcome a problem and move forward in achieving its goals.
A caller to a talk radio program I recently heard was the owner of a small business who described exactly that same experience. A woman came to him and asked if he had any openings. His immediate response was no I do not have any job openings. However, as their conversation continued and she talked about her background and experience, he began to see that she might be able to help his business. He created a new job for her. I have seen this happen many times.
A primary part of your job search should be a plan of action that brings you together with business managers and executives who need your skills in their companies. Those meetings often result in the businessperson realizing that creating a new job for you can help solve a problem the business has.
Of course, you must approach the businessperson in the proper way. You should consider the way you like to be approached when planning how best to arrange such meetings. Your approach should be gradual and non-threatening. Then use letters, email, and phone calls to set up those meetings. Keep in mind that it may take several attempts to secure a meeting.
You should also plan and practice how you will conduct yourself during the meetings. Refer to the other posts on this blog for advice. Generally, conduct yourself in a cooperative, non-aggressive manner.
Creating your own job may seem strange and different from what you've tried in the past. It is exactly the "outside-the-box" type of thinking that will give you an advantage over others. Studies by a Harvard researcher and the U.S. Department of Labor show that most jobs are found using such non-traditional, informal methods.
Take the advice above and try it. What have you got to lose? If you need help in putting these ideas to work for you, Job Finding Formula shows how to do that.
Michael Britner
Job Finding Master
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