The 9 to 5 Job Search

If you're reading this blog, you probably have one thing in common, you're UNEMPLOYED and an 'older' worker.  While we can all lament about HR people and their youth mindset, that won't  help you find a new job.  So what does it take? Getting a new job when you're over 50, especially in this economy takes three things: hard WORK, tenacity, and creativity, and a little bit of luck.   

Work, you ask? But no one's paying me.  Work is activity that results in a reward of some kind.  All work isn't done for an employer.  Right now you're working for YOURSELF.  You are a one man band (or one woman, as the case may be).  When you held your former job you went to work 8 hours a day, sometimes more.  You should be putting the same amount of time into your search for a new job. 

Organize your work day into four parts.  Job search, networking, follow-up, and keeping up in your field or exploring a new one.   

Most business owners will tell you the hardest job you'll ever have is the one where you're the boss.  The buck stops with you.  So stop wasting time and start your job search. 

This is where tenacity comes in.  You can't give up.  It may take a year to find a job, possibly more.  It's not going to be easy to stick to your 9 - 5 schedule of job hunting.  It does get discouraging.  I'm not going to lie to you.  I've been unemployed twice in the last ten years.  I know what it takes to land that next job. 

Downsizing is no respecter of skills or need.  Being tenacious in your search for your next job is critical.  If you can't reach someone, keep calling back.  Find someone you know who knows how to reach them.  I'm a great believer in using your contacts to find a new job.  Use social networking like Linked In to aid you in your search.  But it will take TIME and TENACITY to land it. 

The one other thing it will take to land your next job?  Creativity.  Use the skills you honed in your former job to help you search for the next one.  If you're a salesman, SELL yourself!  Find a way to bring yourself to the attention of the person doing the hiring. 

A QR Code is a 2-dimensional  "quick response" bar code that contains a set of data (text, numbers, or a hyperlink). The data can be decoded by QR Readers, widely available as Smartphone apps. App options are available for iPhones, Droids and Blackberrys. 

When someone takes a photo of the QR Code with the phone's camera the information embedded appears.  Simple!  Use them on resumes and business cards.  Or like the man who made the news here (who got a job as a result) put a QR code on a sign in your car window, you're a driving advertisement for your job search.  For great suggestions on how to use QR codes check out this site.

Oh and what's the fourth thing it takes to land a new job? Luck, pure and simple.  But you can't control Lady Luck, so don't depend on her, depend on yourself.  And use work, tenacity and creativity in your search for your new job. 

Job Transition Workshop

Why Find A Job Transition Support Group?

If you're looking for a job finding a support group or job transition group may be key. If you're over 50, a support group is even more important.

Will a job transition support group guarantee to find you a job?  Maybe not.  But it will give you some good ideas about where to look and help your 'job hunting mental health.'  Best of all it might help you hone your interviewing skills. 

Where can you find a support group?

Job transition upport groups can be found anywhere from your local community college to local churches or bookstores.  If anyone has a support group for a job transition workshop listing, please let me know, and I'll post it here. 

Other places that can help you find work are listed below.  Many are part of your state unemployment services.  Take advantage of them, they're free and your job now is finding a new job.  Treat it like one. 

Listings of job transition support groups or workshops:

Anyone in South Jersey can head over to Haddonfield NJ to the Haddonfield United Methodist Church.  The church offers those who are unemployed an opportunity to network, learn and seek support from others who are also unemployed during it's Job Seekers Support Group at 8:15 a.m. every Thursday.  If you have any questions, call the church office. Other local churches in southern New Jersey are also holding workshops.

Another option with listings of job groups throughout the United States is Job-Hunt.Org.  Check your state and the surrounding states to find the best group for you.  Your unemployment office in your state may be another good resource. Careerlink PA is great for Pennsylvania residents.