Desperately Seeking Employment

c. August 2010


Reading the business section of the newspaper is enough to depress anyone these days. If you happen to be looking for a job, you may want to avoid it altogether to avoid the urge to go back to bed and hide. If you do look, you’ll see that nearly 15 million Americans are out of work, job growth is weak and no one knows when things will truly get better.
If you’re a Millennial, the news is even worse. Unemployment rates among 18 to 29-year-olds is near 20 percent, a high not seen for three decades. Our generation is graduating from college and entering the workforce with lots of debt, few prospects and loads of competition. An unjust reputation for being spoiled, coddled and lazy sure doesn’t help, either.
Some have searched for years for a steady job and now researchers are concerned about the implications, both financial and social, of prolonged unemployment for an entire generation. So what’s a job seeker to do?
First, align expectations with reality. A recent NYT article reported that 41 percent of recent college graduates have turned down a job offer. Reactions of shock and horror abound, but if you’re fortunate enough afford to be jobless then you can, and should, be choosy. I have been through two looooong periods of joblessness and have turned down jobs each time. Luckily, I was able to decline a sure-to-be soul-crushing gig.
However, you may need to bite the bullet and take a job that doesn’t thrill you. Whether that means waiting tables, folding sweaters or taking an entry-level job, you need to support yourself and gain some independence. No one wants to exhaust the good graces of others or get into a pile of debt they don’t have the means to repay. Plus, once you’re in that job you weren’t so thrilled about, you never know what opportunities may arise.
If you’re truly better than that entry-level position you can use it as a platform to shine and make your supervisors see you’re capable of handling a bigger position and you can always keep looking for a better fit on the QT.
Second, treat your job search like a job. Be methodical and devote adequate time to the search. It sounds corny, but make job search ‘office hours’ for yourself. It is easy to be distracted by Facebook, cleaning, trips to Target, laundry and repeats of the “Kardashians.” Putting a little structure around the process  makes all the difference.
Third, think outside the box. One great way is to look for job postings with companies you like. Love your local museum? It may have a job opening that’s just right for you. Enjoy kayaking and spending time outdoors? There may be a great eco-tour company that would snap you right up.
Fourth, and finally, sell yourself. Take time to craft a cover letter that’s specific to the job. If you have a personal connection to the organization, that always helps. It can be something as simple as enjoying a product made by the company or as substantial as having interned with the organization.
Once you secure an interview, make the most of the opportunity. Dress appropriately, have a firm handshake (seriously, the floppy wrist is a proven non-starter), be prepared to answer common interview questions and be friendly and enthusiastic. No one wants to hire a wet blanket. Also, be sure to send a paper ‘thank you’ note. People love that.
Now, as I embark on my third post-grad job hunt, let’s see if I can follow my own advice…
Have you been looking for a job? Have you had success in finding one?