Getting help with the hunt

According to the June S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce statistics, there are 30,993 individuals in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties looking for a job. Nationally, there are more than a million people who have been out of work for more than 99 weeks. Are you part of these statistics? If so, have you thought about using a job coach to help you re-enter the job market?

Looking for a job is a bit like fashion: Some things change and others go out of style. What may have worked five or 10 years ago to find a job won't work today.

The resume. With some 15 million people nationally and 30,000 locally looking for a job, you know the competition is fierce. Your resume must be a fact- and feature-filled marketing piece with you as the product, designed to capture the hiring manager's attention within 30 seconds. If the first section of your resume contains an objective statement, your resume needs a makeover!

The interview. Employers not only are assessing your knowledge, skills and abilities during the interview, but also are measuring your cultural fit with the organization. You must be able to describe work situations you've faced and how you resolved them. If you're answering the question, "Tell me about yourself," by describing how you've been looking for a job for the past six months, chances are slim that you'll get called back for a second interview.

References. The references you provide must be able to speak knowledgeably, and positively, about your work performance. Contacting prospective references ahead of time and confirming their willingness to give you a good review is a must. There's nothing worse than a potential employer calling a reference, only to hear, "I haven't heard from James in years. That guy is quite a character. So you folks are thinking about hiring him, eh?"

Finding job openings. Just like the number of jelly bean flavors, the options have exploded for learning about job openings. If you're relying on classified ads, you're missing out on many posted job opportunities and are most likely missing out entirely in learning about job openings that aren't posted. According to the Department of Labor and the Society of Human Resource Management, 28.5 percent of new hires get their jobs through referrals.

Get online ready. According to 2009 CareerBuilder study, 45 percent of employers said they explore social networks as part of the employment process. Do you have a profile on LinkedIn? If you do, is it up to date? What other information about you is out there on social media -- will it help or hurt you in your job search?

Before you say you can't afford a job coach, consider the very affordable job coaching services and job search workshops offered by the Center for Women. Experienced coaches and human resource professionals guide you through the difficult and emotional process of looking for a job; 71 percent of the job-search workshop participants report a substantial or better improvement in their job-hunting knowledge, skills and motivation.

Sometimes all you need is a little help that can make a big difference.

Jane Perdue is a consultant, coach, speaker, author and 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.