Jun 18, 2008

BUSINESS MATTERS: Doing the work for a new career

By Mildred Culp / Daily News Columnist

Q: Dear Ms. Culp,

I really enjoyed reading the article in your other column about jobs in facility management. I'd really like to have more information and contact numbers to apply for some positions. I have experience in manufacturing, construction and health.

Needing a career change



A: Dear Needing,

A career change might be in order, but you have to do it yourself. It's up to you to follow up on any leads you get. If you see a person or organization in a newspaper article that intrigues you, write down the name and do some research. Use a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, to find information about the person, the organization or both. When you get to a home page, look for "Contact," which usually appears at the top or bottom of the home page. You should find a telephone number there.

Don't call blind. Read as much as you can so that when you do speak with someone, you're informed. If you're simply looking for more information rather than an interview, have a list of five or 10 questions to ask a person. Be grateful for any leads. Understand that even asking for a telephone number is a lot. People are busy, and unless you're paying them, you can't expect them to do legwork for you.


BLUES

Q: Dear Dr. Culp,

I'm a college graduate with a double major in English language and literature, and sociology. My small town has been hit hard by rising unemployment. I've utilized temporary staffing agencies, unemployment centers, jobs sites and in-person interviews. I still am not able to find a fulfilling, full-time job with benefits. I've attached my resume to get your opinion on what I am doing wrong and what career fields I may be best suited for. Thank you for your advice and your time.

Trying to find my place


A: Dear Trying,

You've worked hard to find the jobs on your resume, but multiplying them won't get you to the starting gate. You've been out of college for four years. Sharpen your objective by getting help at your university's career counseling office. Then, take your job hunting skills to the outskirts of the metro area close to you. Think more about finding work you want to do and less about related activities, such as moving. Those details will be manageable once you've conquered the big problem.

You've done your homework and your town can't pass the employment test right now. One day you might return with high-level skills and virtual work. Start building toward that day.


TRYING HARD NOT TO GET IT

Fishnet stockings, transparent blouse, minimalist pencil skirt, stiletto heels. "Last Comic Standing" or "A Chorus Line"?

Caught behind a funeral procession (cell phone, anyone?), detained by the dog's hiding your one pair of shoes, driving forever without directions (left behind at your girlfriend's). Lateness excuses equal double-trouble.

Unloading an oversized suitcase on the interviewer's desk? Out spill writing tools and pads, loose-leaf binders and rulers. A drafting job? Elementary school teaching? Shoplifting at Office Max?

Actions like these convey that you're pulling out all the stops to extend your job search as long as possible. Rachel Ingegneri, in "Ten Minutes to the Job Interview: Your Last-Minute Guide and Checklist for Securing a Position, a Promotion, a Paycheck" (Tallfellow, $12.95), implies that if you're going to work hard to survive an interview, you might as well act as you would on the job. She mentions the woman who went out with a bang when she asked about a casting couch. What was she thinking?

Think of it this way. Employers have better things to do than waste time on a non-prospect. Think about what you're telling them and turn over a new leaf. Can the roadblocks and open up a two-way street.



E-mail your job-hunting questions to Dr. Mildred Culp at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2008 Passage Media.