Part-time work can turn your resume into an interview

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Check all that apply:

___You've sent out hundreds of resumes and haven't had a single call.
___You've applied to several jobs listed in the want ads that were perfect for you but you never heard a thing.
___You've been out of work for several months and you're getting discouraged.
___You've tried informational interviewing but you can't get past the secretary.

If some of these apply to you, it's time to put new life into your job hunting strategies. Don't keep trying the same old approaches if you aren't getting any results. Consider a more creative approach to finding the job you want. Here are some ideas to boost your mid-winter, no-one-will-hire-me blues:

·        Stop sending resumes to strangers-they only end up in the garbage. Instead, select ten people to ask for a critique of your resume. Choose people who are in a position to hire you in your field of choice. If you don't know these people personally, find someone who knows them and get an introduction. Ask them to be blunt and honest. Incorporate their suggestions and then send them a revised copy with a thank you note. This can open the door for a more extensive informational interview.

·        The next time you apply for a job that appears in the want ads, call someone who works at the company for the inside scoop. Smart job hunters have established contacts in all the companies they'd like to work for, so when a job is available, all they have to do is call the insider for the details. Then customize your resume to match the position exactly.

·        If you've been out of work for awhile, you need to be seen as "employed" to fill that gap. Look for an opportunity to freelance, consult, work part-time or volunteer-anything that you can call relevant "work experience" on your resume. One way to do this is to approach small to middle-sized business owners and ask them if they have any project work that you could do for little or no money just to plug that hole. Your likely to get more experience and -hopefully-get a new reference. You may even turn it into a real job.

·        If you aren't having trouble getting in the door but are bombing out in interviews, you need some feedback. Consider asking three people in your network to do a mock interview with you. Tell them to behave just as they would in a real interview. Afterwards, they can critique your answers and your style. If they have video equipment, all the better.

·        If you're having trouble getting past the secretary with your cold calls, stop making them. Instead, make "warm calls." A warm call is one in which you have a referral from someone the person knows. Start with a list of all the people you know-that's right, EVERYONE. Then next to their name, write down where they work. Ask them for names of co-workers who work for their company in your field. When you call, use their name as a referral and the doors will open.

·        But what if you don't know anyone in the company you want to work for? Ask everyone you come in contact with if they know anyone in that company. Believe me, this works. Soon you will have a referral you can use to make the call.

·        You say you hate calling people? Try a marketing letter instead. Use the name of the referral in the opening line. Fill the letter with accomplishments and results. Then ask them if they will take the time to answer two questions related to your job hunting approach. (This is more attractive to a busy person than an open-ended plea for job-hunting help.) Key: tell them you will be calling soon, so they don't throw the letter away. Hint: When the secretary tries to screen you, you can say "He is expecting my call."

Stop feeling discouraged and rejected. If you're not getting the results you want, don't blame the employers. Find out what's wrong and change your strategy! 

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