Study: Stay focused, upbeat

Q The year is coming to a close, and I still don't have a job. I'm starting to panic and need to know what to do.

A: With nearly 16 million people still looking for work nationally and South Carolina's unemployment rate hovering around 12 percent, it's a given that job searches will take longer.

As 2009 draws to a close, allow yourself one brief moment of panic, then jump in with both feet to take stock of how you are handling your job search.

In this tough economy with lots of qualified competition for every job opening, it's vitally important for you to have a job-search strategy, meaning a well-thought-out plan for finding a job.

The University of Missouri studied 327 job seekers to understand what worked and what didn't work in job searches.

The study findings released in September revealed that having a plan and remaining upbeat were critical success factors.

"We found it most interesting that thinking about a plan, acting on a plan and reflecting upon that plan were important early in the job search while having positive emotions were important later in the job search," said Daniel Turban, professor and chair at the University of Missouri College of Business.

Let's start with three "P's" that are foundational for an effective job search:

--Positive thinking. Working hard to find a job can easily get you down, but it's important that you manage your feelings. If you start thinking negatively, those downbeat thoughts will show up in how you present yourself.

--Persistence. Think of finding a job as your job. Be determined in everything that you do, and don't give up.

--Plan, plan, plan. If you didn't begin your job search with a strategy, develop one now and stick with it every day.

A powerful job search strategy has five elements: assess, target, prepare, market and manage:

--Assess. When you began your job search, did you start by analyzing what you like to do, are good at doing, want to do, can do and have already accomplished? If not, take a personal inventory because this information is crucial in preparing your resume, cover letters and for interviews.

--Target. Did you research companies that match up with your skill sets, values and career interests, and then direct your search efforts to them? If there is a particular company in which you are interested, you can use the Web site www.watchthatpage.com to bookmark the organization.

When they post job openings, you'll be notified (a very similar process to setting up Google searches). Finding vacant jobs on a company Web site is more straightforward than using the major job boards.

--Prepare. Look over your resume: Does it contain appropriate keywords that will get past the electronic applicant tracking systems used by six out of 10 employers today? Is your resume a list of job duties you've done (a bad thing), or is it a well-written and carefully edited account of your skills and accomplishments (a good thing)?

Have you created a comprehensive profile on LinkedIn? According to Jason Alba, networking expert, JibberJobber creator and author of "I'm on LinkedIn: Now What???": "If you do NOTHING else in your job search, you need to have a LinkedIn profile."

Are you regularly reading the Business section of The Post and Courier looking for companies that are expanding or relocating here so you can contact them?

Do you have a 30-second elevator pitch about your skills and what you can offer an employer? You never know when you will meet someone who has, or knows about, a job opening. Be prepared to present yourself well.

--Market. According to the Department of Labor and the Society of Human Resource Management, 28.5 percent of new hires get their jobs from employee referrals. Have you reached out to everyone you know to let them know you're looking for a job?

Are you spending the majority of your job-search time online? If you are, add some face-to-face meetings through informational interviews. Use your LinkedIn account to identify contacts at your target companies. Send them a note briefly outlining your career interests, noting that their accomplishments represent what you would like to achieve someday, and ask to spend 20 minutes talking with them about career advice. During that informational interview, never ask for a job.

Consider using niche job sites to find functional openings. You can find many of these specialized career sites at www.internetinc.com/top100-job-site-niches-2009.

--Manage. Set up a system for tracking contacts, applications and interviews. Monitor how and where you are spending your time. Revisit your expectations. Is this the time to think about a freelance or temp job or even volunteering?

Planning and remaining positive will help you stay focused and land that long-hoped-for job!

Jane Perdue is CEO of The Braithewaite Group.

The Job Coaches are experienced volunteers from the Center for Women's Job Counseling Program. Ask them a question by calling 763-7333 or e-mailing info@c4women.org. If you would like further assistance, make an appointment; a donation of $10 is requested for appointments.