Rabu, 10 November 2010

Job Searching Tips During War Time

1. BE AWARE, NOT OBSESSED
With so many 24-hour news television channels providing non-stop war coverage, it is easy to lose yourself in current events. No matter what the political climates may be, keeping a strong focus on your job search is the best way to find a job. Here are a couple of items to consider if you are suffering from a lack of focus: 

  • •  SET LIMITS. Although you could probably devote your entire life to watching the news, it
        does not mean that you should. Allow yourself a specific amount of time to read
        articles or watch news coverage relating to the war. If you have boundaries set, you will
        know exactly when you have stopped focusing on your job search and can correct
        the problem immediately.
  • •  SET GOALS. One of the best ways to get work done and keep track of your progress is to
        write down goals for yourself. Crossing off tasks as you get them done boosts
        your spirits and seeing a list of the tasks you have not completed will keep you focused.
        Whether the goals are for the month, the week, or the day, having a list helps.
2. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
Businesses often move more slowly during times of war. They often reduce spending and postpone hiring decisions. This means your job search may be unexpectedly extended. Maintaining a positive attitude and staying productive become even more important. You are the expert on how to keep yourself motivated, but if you still have trouble, consider these thoughts:

  • •   BE REAL. You know the difficulties of finding a job. You know the complications that
        come with war. Don't expect a miracle to happen. The quickest way to lose
        your motivation is to fall short of your own expectations. Give yourself a fighting chance
        by making your expectations realistic given the current situation.
  • •   STAY CONSTRUCTIVE. Job offerings can be especially sparse during wartime. Even if
        you cannot spend all your time actually applying for jobs, that doesn't
        mean you cannot use your time wisely. Edit your resume, improve your cover letter,
        do more networking- just stay busy.
  • •   TAKE BREAKS. An important part of keeping yourself motivated is keeping yourself
        sane. If you don't take the time to let your mind focus on other (less stressful)
        tasks, you risk becoming slow and inefficient.
3. CHARGE AHEAD
Since companies are more standoffish during times of war, the job hunter must take control of the wheel. Now more than ever, you need to be aggressive. This may be difficult to do given what is going on in the world, but is the only hope you have for finding work during troubled times. To maintain an aggressive attitude and a fighting spirit, remember:

  • •   PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE. Recruiters may be less focused on
        hiring, so you need to remind them that you are in the market. Letters or
        emails are the perfect choice. As long as they are not too frequent (about once every
        2 weeks), letters will serve as a reminder, without being an annoyance.
  • •   TACKLE INTERVIEWS. Other people looking for jobs will also have trouble focusing on
        a job search. If you have maintained your motivation, interviews are the
        perfect opportunity to outshine your competition.
  • •   LEARN THE COMPANY. It is especially important to read up on company backgrounds
        to impress recruiters. If you can show recruiters that you are still taking
        the time out to learn the business, you will be a step ahead of the other job seekers.
4. WATCH YOUR MOUTH
Even if the war does not come up directly during an interview, it is still a prevalent issue and is on everyone's minds. That means that during small talk before or after the interview, the topic may come up. Despite what anyone might tell you, the interview starts as soon as you walk in the door. It does not end until you walk out the door. So, if the war comes up during small talk:

  • •   STAY NEUTRAL. Don't let politics become a part of the interview. This does not mean
        that you need to lie; it just means you should be diplomatic. Unlike the rest of
        your job search, this is not a situation where you should be aggressive.
  • •   MOVE ON. Don't dwell on the topic for too long. As long as you are discussing the war,
  •     there is a chance you may slip up, say something harsh, and get yourself into trouble.
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