questioner asked:


I have been reading alot recently about the large number of people who have been unemployed for years, even though they have put on an active job search. I wonder what is going on here. Some would say that these are good people with strong skills but who are just having a hard time in a very difficult economy. Others would say that these people likely have poor skills, lack of interpersonal abilites and a poorly developed resume and inadaquate ability to market themselves.

Why have most long term unemployed been jobless for so months or years?

Joseph

Chaz asked:


Spend $100 to professionally inspect/revise your resume?

Use that $100 to pay for premium placement on job seeking sites?

Pay $100 to go to a motivational seminar about interviewing?

Save the $100 because you’re unemployed?

Cameron

PAUL BOWLEY asked:


Get ready for an amazing alternative job hunting secret! If you’ve been in the job market recently, you already know it’s tough. Not because there aren’t excellent job opportunities out there. But because employers’ expectations are so much more demanding.

Employers want you to come in prepared to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework. They expect you’ve taken the time to learn about their organization and its goals. They also require that you show very specifically how you can make a contribution to the company’s bottom line.

The purpose of an alternative job hunting secret is to come at the job market from a totally different perspective. For example, you learn to see job search from and the employer’s point of view. When you do, then you’ll also appreciate discovering the huge advantage you have when you do your homework and you come to a face-to-face meeting or interview armed with critical insider information.

You are ready to implement one of the most powerful and exciting alternative job hunting secrets around. It’s called “job creation!”

That’s right! You can actually create a job for yourself on the spot. Here’s what to do (after you’ve done your homework):

1. List in writing the specific areas within the company where you bring something unique to the table. This is not a review of your work history. Indicate the specific department, products, services, etc. within the organization where your proposal would apply.

2. Send an email or letter to the decision-maker who would have an active interest in the kind of proposal you wish to present. Do NOT ask for a job. Rather, briefly outline the specifics you bring to the table for solving a certain problem, or contributing to growth, or opening up new doors for the company, etc. Then ask to meet for a discussion of your ideas or proposal. Indicate you’d like to call shortly to set up such a meeting.

3. Prepare a “Bio-Action” resume specifically designed to back up your alternative job hunting proposal.

4. Do NOT go in for an interview, but rather to discuss your proposal to see if there’s any interest. What’s exciting about this alternative job hunting secret approach is that neither you nor the employer is under any pressure to make a job decision. An opportunity can emerge if you are good at showing the value you bring to the table. Once again this takes preparation–doing your homework.

When you approach a carefully targeted organization and the specific decision-maker who could have a genuine interest in you, you’ve dramatically moved the odds in favor of a discovering a hidden opportunity for yourself. And you’ve eliminated all the competition!



Jason

SweetChildofMine asked:


What is the best day of the week to look for a job? What time of day? …any other advice on getting my first job in the middle of summer? (i have a full resume)

Melanie