SEATTLE, WA - Following is an email exchange between me and a new fan of my weblog 97 Job Search Tips. I thought you job-seekers might enjoy it ...
Dear Harry:
I came across your blog "97 Job Search Tips" while surfing the net this afternoon. In 2006, I came to work for a small aerospace company and loved it. Unfortunately, I fear that I have until September before they decide to close the doors. Our VP of Marketing was let go last December -- and the writing is on the wall for the rest of us.
I know I have to market myself and I wanted to tell you that your article was really good. I'm sending it home to study and try to work through all of the steps. I'm in the Seattle area and am having a hard time identifying other jobs in my current field.
I have a very strong background in marketing that goes back 10 years. Your article made it very clear to me that my resume is a big glob of information that isn't specific enough. I'd like to consider taking a new direction with my career, leaving the aerospace industry -- but I'm not comfortable pursuing something in which I don't have specific experience.
I have great analytical skills for example, and I'd like to get a position as a web analytics manager, but I'm lost on how to link my experience to the job requirements.
Can you give me any advice?
Signed,
Nervous in Seattle
Dear Nervous,
The best thing to do is follow 97 Job Search Tips step-by-step. I'd also do a little work and try to target companies in a particularly hot industry. A rising tide raises all ships -- even the bad ones.
Look at the tools at http://online.onetcenter.org/find/ and see how much of what you're good at is transferable to other industries. Then go to http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/ind_index.html and get the report for this industries that are relevant to you. Start your search there.
It's a ton of work -- but you're worth it.
Kind regards,
Harry Joiner
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