Well, thanks to forced adulthood (because let's face it- who volunteers to be an adult?) we are living at a time in the United States when higher education is as unimportant as the type of paper your resume is on and the phrase "we're looking for someone with more experience" means you should have been working since you were forced out of your mother's womb.
Unemployment rates are ridiculously high. Fact.
As I recently posted on Facebook, it can be so daunting to search for work just to pay bills and ultimately takes all of your time away from working towards your dreams and career goals.
And I'm not only talking about the actors, dancers and artists who come into my life daily...
No, I'm talking about the business majors who can't find anything more than an unpaid internship that may lead to a possible job.
I'm talking about those who can't even consider affording education at a university level and are practically shoved out of the waiting room because they are considered illiterate and incapable of performing the basic of tasks.
This is our reality. Granted, I'm making the choice to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world so I can only blame myself.
As I write this, I am still searching for a job while auditioning. I can't say the few pieces of advice I am about to offer will lead to the end result of getting a job but I can only hope they will improve your chances.
Some say it's survival of the fittest; I say if we don't start helping each other out now, there won't be a world to bother surviving in...
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1. Know what you're good at:
This may seem obvious but actually ask yourself "what am I good at?". If you're passionate about something that can be seen by a hiring manager faster than anyone who walks in and just looks desperate. Also, it will inform you as to jobs you should NOT apply for. If you're not qualified to do something or if you have no interest whatsoever in the work, don't even bother. You'll end up miserable and probably won't last that long, thus bringing you back to square one.
2. Your friends (the ones who have jobs) are your greatest asset:
Your friends aren't going to get you a job; you need to do that for yourself, however, they can be incredibly helpful in your search. They may know of potential openings or positions within their own line of work. And, if they are your friends, they'll be honest as to whether or not you would be a good match.
3. Always have a resume...in fact have many:
If you are unemployed, you should have your resume with you at all times. Take time to organize it. Be very sure your references will actually answer their phones. If your applying for different jobs, even consider having different resumes. A restaurant could care less that you were an executive assistant and a law firm doesn't want to know you washed dishes when you were sixteen. Be a boy scout; preparation for the unexpected is key.
4. Have a plan but don't follow it (always):
You have to hit the pavement, especially if you're in New York City. Emailing does not get you jobs (did you even stop to think just how many people email someone for one position). Come up with a ground plan of areas you'd like to work, scout them out, and then take the time to go place to place to introduce yourself and fill out an application. It can never hurt you to try. They may say they are not hiring; it happens a lot. But you will not know unless you ask.
Don't follow your ground plan the whole time either. Go off onto side streets and see if there are any potentials places to work. You never know when you'll see a HELP WANTED sign.
5. Know answers to the obvious questions ahead of time:
Be honest. Availability (are you willing to work mornings), job positions you're interested in, references, are you willing to work at a different location, salary...any of those questions that you have heard time and time again in interviews, know the answers before you get there. Decisiveness is crucial.
6. Follow up:
Give it a few days but always follow up, either in person or by phone. Make sure they have all the necessary information from you. Always get the name of the hiring manager and the phone number of the business. If you don't meet the manager on your first visit, get the name of the person you spoke to. Make a list or spreadsheet (if you are Excel savvy).
7. Craigslist is not job searching:
This is a new pet peeve of mine. Craigslist can be incredibly helpful because of the continuous postings but when you are emailing someone who doesn't post the company's name, phone number, etc... it's just a waste of time, in my opinion. Do your research, yes, but don't spend a week of your life sitting in your apartment only applying from Craigslist...if someone can prove me otherwise, I'll retract this one.
8. Keep your phone charged:
You never know when someone will call. Stop Instagramming your salads from lunch and hold onto that battery power in case someone calls.
9. Don't stop. Unemployment is not a vacation:
We all have those days when we get so frustrated over being unemployed that we need to cry...I did yesterday on 5th Avenue and some tourists got quite a show...But the only way to be employed is to keep searching. Don't use this time as an opportunity to date Netflix. Save your favorite shows and movies for night time after you've done your work during the day.
10. Believe in yourself:
You are important. You are intelligent and capable of anything you put your mind to. You will be okay. Surround yourself with support and love. Recharge when you need to. Cry when you need to. Exercise to keep yourself balanced as much as possible. Don't stop living. DO stop buying alcohol when you don't have a job. You know you can do this...
J
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