Advice for Job-Seekers: How I Escaped the Hurt Tank & Found a New Job

I started to write about all my bad fortunes in the past 3+ years, but it made me too depressed and since my mission is to make people laugh, I just erased everything and started over.

So I won't mention, except in passing, about my multiple rat infestations, the Summer of Flies, tearing my left MCL and coming close to losing my Dream House, amongst other things.  I was on unemployment for 5 months and under-employed the rest of the time.  You know, it's always something.  If it's not one thing, it's another.

Remember: DON'T PANIC!

Let me say that my situation was nowhere near as bad or desperate as a lot of people. For the past three plus years, I read every article, story, report and column about the economy, jobs, unemployment rates, foreclosures, etc.  I just think: There but for the grace of God, go I.

The good news is that finally, there are some jobs out there.

Here are some things that I did and that helped my ultimate success.

1. Update your resume and get some expert advice on how to improve it (A recruiter helped me update mine and make look modern)  Look at job listings and match your skills to the exact wording of the job requirements.  This will help with recruiter's job searches.
2. Join LinkedIn if you already haven't, ask for LinkedIn recommendations from co-workers and pay for the premium account which lets you add "Job Seeker" status. Once you are on LinkedIn, your resume gets fed out to other job boards.  That's one way LinkedIn makes $$.
3. Once you've updated your resume, add it to every single online job board you can find.  I was on Monster.com, creativegroup.com, SimplyHired.com, Dice.com, Indeed.com, Taleo Talent Exchange and LinkedIn.com.  Since January 2011, I started getting recruiters calling and emailing me with possible jobs.  Every day, I would get emails with my job search reports from all those sites.
4. Get a nice suit for interviewing.  Make sure it fits.  I get excellent service from in Castro Valley for alterations.
5. Make sure you know how to tie a tie!!  It was one hour before my big interview and I realized that it had been so long since I'd worn a tie, I could remember how to tie it!!! YIKES!  The last time I wore a tie, the Internet hadn't been invented, but luckily, there is an excellent website, tie-a-tie.net that shows you with videos.  It took me four viewings, but I got it right.
6. Learn interviewing skills.  I found a lot of great information on Monster.com & SFGate.com's Get To Work Blog.  Also, there is an excellent document from Robert Half Int'l called: How To Avoid Seven Common Interview Mistakes.
7. Research the company you are interviewing with. When you get the question: What do you know about XXX, Inc., you want to be able to answer it like you're a longtime employee.
8. Ask the interviewer questions.  This is very important!  Such as: How long have you worked at XXX, Inc. and why do you like working there?  
9. If they ask you about your weakness, have a good answer like: I need to learn more about something and definitely not: I work too hard.  Also, if the hiring manager asks you the weakness question, then it's fair to ask them what their weakness as a manager is and what they really need in the person they are hiring.
10. Write a sincere and pointed thank you email (so be sure to get the email address of the person you interview with) and use what you've learned in the interview to point out how you can help the manager and the company.   
11. Use your network of family, friends, co-workers and ex-co-workers to help.
12. Go to live hiring events.  There is one coming up in Walnut Creek on Tuesday, July 27.  Sign up with HireLive.com. 
13. Good Luck with your search!

Since my mission is to make people laugh, I've included a couple of humorous job interview YouTube videos.

After a lot of hard work, studying interviewing techniques and mastering the Windsor Knot, I was ultimately successful in landing an excellent job starting on 7/11/11 (11 is my lucky number).  

I didn't want to have to commute to San Francisco, Mountain View or Silicon Valley. There are lots of great companies out in the Tri-Valley area—San Ramon, Danville & Pleasanton.  Now, I drive out through the Canyons to work and avoid the crazy people on the freeways.

I worked with Annie Nelson from The Creative Group.  The Creative Group specializes in placing highly skilled creative, advertising, marketing, Web and public relations professionals with a variety of firms.  I would highly recommend Annie, so if you're looking for a job that TCG handles, be sure to contact her.  She did such a great job for me after years of frustration, I had to give her a plug.

It wouldn't be one of my blogs without something creative.  I was so happy, that I wrote a limerick.

The Light At the End

A recruiter named Annie did say.
My, you've got an excellent resume.
I'll help you find work.
An upgrade from a clerk.
You just fill out a form every day!