Emotional stress from lay-offs may be common since the economy took its recent nosedive, and many people are looking for work. Job searching is always a lot of effort to attain an interview no matter what the circumstances are. Some people haven’t had much exposure to job searching, and others might not be taking advantage of all the avenues that are available to them. Here are some ways to search for employment, many of which you may have tried, and possibly some that haven’t been thought of. All of them are crucial for effective job searching.

Outplacement Services

Utilize outplacement services offered by your former employer at the time of your lay-off if they are available. These can be helpful by providing some business contacts, advice on interviewing and the preliminaries for finding a new job, and possibly retraining for different work. This can make networking unnecessary.

Resumes

Send resumes to companies with positions that you’re qualified for. Many companies have their websites with whole sections devoted to careers. Any open positions will be listed here. You can usually apply using their own electronic application, or they might ask for you to email your resume. A follow-up letter and resume sent through the postal services might set you apart from the crowd.

Networking

The majority of open positions in the employment market are filled through personal contacts using some form of networking. Networking is just making efforts to let all your friends and acquaintances know that you’re looking for a job. This can also be best at any type of gathering, be it social, or professional. Referrals can get your foot in the door for many jobs that are not being advertised. Often, a polite, well-written letter mentioning who referred you, and what your career goals are is the first step to a new job.

Classified Advertising

Classified advertising on the web, and in newspapers offers convenience, and there are many actual openings to be found there. Search engines on the Internet can show you positions to be filled locally, and worldwide. The information given in the details of the ad can be sketchy, or quite comprehensive, possibly nonexistent (be wary of those). You can post your resume or cover letter if you have one, or fill out an online application. Email alerts are offered by some that are delivered to an online email address. Interviews can be gotten this way, but you must remember that there are probably many other applicants. Most employment search experts don’t advise spending the majority of your search time on the

Internet.

Newspaper classified ads are a similar situation to those on the online search engines, but the printed advertisements are limited to a viewing audience that is within the range of its circulation. The number of applicants is many, and also, a small number of the actual openings within an area are advertised there. Many newspapers also have their own websites that may offer a larger number of jobs, and other services, such as, resume posting, and electronic searches.

Search engines, and newspapers both have some advertisers who are just using their ads as a source for filling databases, or as a barometer for seeing what’s on the job market at the time. The position being advertised may not exist at all.

Place Your Own Advertisements

You can also place your own ads for a position. It’s a commendable effort. Good luck.

Job Fairs

Job fairs are usually a good experience, especially if your search efforts haven’t been producing any interviews. Lines are usually long. They are most often held at hotels, or large conference rooms where various employers have areas set up with representatives offering a face-to-face meeting. These people take resumes, and answer questions, as well as, listen to any brief sales pitch that you might have prepared. It’s actually like a mini-interview without having to schedule an appointment. You should prepare yourself accordingly.

A job fair is also a good place to look around, and maybe find some networking possibilities, or pick up some company literature. It’s hard to walk away from a job fair with nothing, even if it’s just polishing up some of your interviewing skills.

Trade Journals

Trade journals are publications, magazines, or periodicals that are directed at a certain audience, or niche who work in that specific occupation, or industry. Advertising in these publications is very narrowly focused, and relevant to these people. There are usually no general advertisements, which means that any employment notices are very job-specific. These are a good place to look as part of a job search if you happen to belong to such a group.

Retraining

Retraining for an occupation that is rising in demand while the demand for your occupation is waning could be quite a reasonable option. You would have to have some means of support while you are doing this. Statistics and information for most occupations can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, and on the Department of Labor website. Community colleges, and job training centers have many programs, or curricula relevant to job training. Some state or federal programs might even fund this if their qualifications are met. Books and software can be found on the Products & Services page of the Velcodisk website.

CareerOneStop

Every state has CareerOneStop for unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers. Velcodisk has them listed on it’s Information page.They offer career counseling, skill assessment, job search assistance, training, and other services. The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides $ 3,514,500,000 in funds that can be accessed through these centers, which means that the services at these centers are free.

We haven’t seen a slump in the American economy like the one we’re experiencing now since the 1950’s; hopefully, this isn’t a portent reminiscent of the 1930’s. There weren’t many programs on the city, state, and federal levels to act as some kind of a marginal safety net back then. Obviously, that doesn’t guarantee a stress free situation for everyone. There are jobs out there; it’s just a matter of finding a way of getting yourself into one.

Bruce Tintelnot