Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Rick Zapata

Regional Extension Agent

Consumer Sciences & Personal Financial Management

December 2, 2008

Help for Those Looking for a Job

It appears that the job market is shrinking during this current economic downturn. Even though some companies are laying off or reducing their workforce, other companies are looking for good employees. Most of these jobs are not advertised. Of the jobs that are advertised, competition may be stiff for those positions. So, what are the ways to find a new job?

Start by looking at the jobs wanted section of the newspaper. Some of the jobs listed there may be in your local area, but several of them will require a commute. Also, each employment office in Alabama has a computer database for available jobs. This service is free to Alabama citizens. Here you will find some of the same job listings that are in newspapers.

 What about those jobs that are not listed in the paper or at the unemployment office?

To find jobs that are not advertised you will have to be creative. First and foremost, let everyone know that you are looking for work. Tell the people you go to church with and everyone in your family that you are looking for work. The more people that you tell, the more people you will have helping you find a job. Also, some people you talk to may be looking for an employee. You may find a job quickly using this approach. Most employers would rather hire someone that they know. This approach to a job search is called networking.  The larger the network, the more likely you will find work quickly. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help; everyone has had to look for a job before.

Next, knock on doors. Go to area businesses and look for openings. Start close to you at first and then expand your search to neighboring towns. Keep in mind the cost of commuting a long distance. It may be better to take a job locally for less money than to travel a long distance for a larger salary. It may require you to work a full-time and part-time job to make ends meet. Working a long distance from home will almost prevent you from working a part-time job. Please remember that a lot of part-time jobs turn into full-time jobs at a later date. Some businesses hire part-time employees to see if they will work out before giving them a full-time position with benefits.

Try and use the Internet in your search. Most large companies or organizations post job openings on their Web sites. Most chain stores do the same.  Specific job Web sites are also available. Be careful when on these sites.  Don’t provide your confidential information to a fake site that can steal your identity.

Go ahead and update your resume. The most important information will usually go first. Before submitting a resume with a job application, write a cover letter. This cover letter should tell the employer how you can help him or her make money. If your cover letter does not get an employer’s attention, he or she may not even read the rest of the resume and you will likely not get an interview. The letter should be addressed to the person in charge of hiring. If you do not know this information, talk to the bosses’ receptionist.  Receptionists usually know a lot of information about the company and they can give you valuable information.

If you are successful and receive an interview, prepare for the interview by reviewing your resume.  Know the information well. Never put anything on the resume that you cannot prove. Above all, be honest with the person conducting the interview.  Try not to appear nervous or scared.   When the interview begins, thank the person for the interview. After the interview, thank them again. When you get home, send the person doing the hiring a thank you card.

If you are given an interview, dress appropriately.   What you say and how you say it makes an impression on employers. Avoid using “and” or “ugh” when answering questions. Be direct with your answers, and, if you do not know the answer to a question, tell the interviewer that you will get them the information. Do not guess the answer. If you are asked about a skill that you do not have, tell them that you are a quick learner and will master any skill that you do not now possess. Most employers don’t mind a little training if they are getting a good person to train. There is no substitute for being honest with a potential employer.

Get your pastor or friends to write letters of reference for you. This always looks good to an employer.

Try to get letters from people tied to the new job if possible. For instance, get a letter of reference from someone who already works for the company. This can give you an immediate edge in being hired. Word of mouth will get a lot of people jobs when the right person hears about them.

Source: Rick Zapata, Regional Extension Agent, Consumer Sciences and Personal Financial Management (251) 937-7176.

Email address: rrz0001@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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