Whether you first reentered the job market of your own volition or your reentry came as a surprise to you, there is a good chance that you have come to a point where it feels as though your job search has been going on for much too long. Have you started to feel as if no one is going to hire you? Have you realized that you keep running into the same walls that you can't seem to get through? If you are discovering that your job search has grown stagnant, it's time for you to stop and reassess. As you have already learned in the past, if something isn't working, you need to stop and try something new, so make sure that you stop and consider the following information.
Another thing that you need to do when you are in a job search that has gone on too long is take a look at the materials that you have been sending out. What are you looking at when it comes to resume and portfolio work? Take the time to ask someone to look over your information. When you are looking at your materials, having fresh eyes to look at them with is vital. There may be something very basic that is holding you back, but it might take someone new to the situation to help you see it. Remember that the person doesn't necessarily need to be an expert, just someone who is invested in helping you succeed.
Remember that posting your resume online can make a great deal of difference, and make sure that you don't underestimate the power of private job boards like www.EmploymentCrossing.com. Think about the fact that the economy has slowed down drastically, and that sites like these can hold jobs that are not listed anywhere else. When you are trying to get ahead, you'll find that having just a bit of an extra edge on the competition can make all the difference. Make sure that you are not letting brilliant opportunities go by just because you are afraid to invest in yourself'; that is essentially what you are doing when you go forward without resources like this under your belt.
You should also find ways to get the attention of prospective employers that you might not be able to reach in any other way (such as doing a targeted mailing). When you are looking to strut your stuff, remember that you need to make sure that you have the right stage to do it on. When you are only using public services, you'll find that it is far too easy to get lost in all of the spam. You'll also find that if you want to stand out, there's no better way to do it than by being delivered right to the inboxes of the people that you are trying to attract.
Make sure that you also keep your online profiles updated. Do what you need to do to make sure that they stay current, and routinely go back and check to see what activity has occurred. Remember that when you are considering a job opportunity you should always do your research. The more that you know about a company before you walk in, the better off you will be when it comes to making sure that you can stay! If you can talk about where the company is going and what you hope to have to do with its future, you can bet that your future employers will be impressed.
At the end of the day, it is all about confidence. When you are looking to make an impression, you'll find that there are plenty of reasons to feel nervous or frightened, but you simply cannot afford to let that show. When you are looking for a way to move ahead, you need to distinguish yourself from other applicants, and the best way to do that is to walk in looking like you are confident that you can do the company a lot of good. Don't second guess yourself. You'll find that as a job search wears on you'll be feeling less self-confident, but keep in mind that confidence can be faked. Don't give in!
For many people, getting a new job is something that can be quite stressful and time consuming, so make sure that you are up to it. Use the resources above, especially the private job boards and the targeted mailing services, to make sure that the job you get is one that you will want to stay at. Remember that your future is worth investing in, and take the time to make sure that you do so.
