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By CE&CC :: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 :: 18492 Views ::  :: Career & Education, Business & Finance, Chaldean Education & Career Center
 Michigan, USA - Chaldeans should know that a job search is less like a sprint and more like a marathon. Without this attitude, Chaldean job-hunters will view every day as a laborious burden that does not produce results. You’ll risk losing focus, motivation, and direction. You’ll neither write nor interview well, and your search may take even longer.
In today’s challenging job market, many Chaldean job-hunters are finding that the search takes somewhat more time than they anticipated. Regardless of what expectations you may have or may hear, Chaldeans should assume a time frame of at least 10 months for their search. Chaldeans in Michigan, due to their poor economic condition and high taxes, should consider a year to a year and a half.
The next step is to identify your unique skills, strengths, experience, and traits. This can be difficult for Chaldeans. Chaldeans so often take their own capabilities for granted. So spend some time considering your skills—or ask a friend or colleague to help you. Jot them down from the most simple to the more complex.
Be sure to use a computer. It will make the future steps that use the information much easier. Next, decide which ones are relevant to the various positions for which you may apply. This becomes especially important if you’re transferring skills to a new job or industry. In every case, identifying what you can do and what sets you apart from other candidates is essential.
With the list in hand take the information and begin creating resumes. You should have a few resumes that are standard and there will be resumes that address specific jobs.
The resume is something tangible to offer friends, family, and employers. If you have not done so in the past it is high time you start the most important part of job-hunting – Network!
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
You can’t start soon enough or do too much networking. If you have not been involved in associations, church, clubs, or groups it is time to get involved. While it would have been much better to have established your affiliation there is still hope for your involvement.
You’re planning your future, after all, so take charge! Begin by listing all the people to whom you can talk. Not only those who may have the job you want. Anyone and everyone can spread the word that you are—or will be— searching for a new position. Whether it’s passing along your resume, providing a referral or simply keeping you in mind should an opportunity arise to mention your name, there’s something for everyone to do! As soon as you know you’ll be looking, draft your list. Begin with the names of friends and family. To that, add current work contacts, previous employers, co-workers, fellow alumni, and so on.
Always carry index cards for jotting down names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of those who are willing to offer assistance—you never know whom you’ll meet so be prepared. Print up “Info Cards” which are like business cards for you to distribute at opportune moments; these should provide your name, e-mail address, address, and phone number(s) along with a very brief description of the type of position you seek.
Research and seize every opportunity to network—including clubs and associations in your local area, groups, holidays, conventions, weddings, and reunions when you’re likely to encounter people you don’t see regularly.
This information is brought to you by the Chaldean Education and Career Center (CE&CC). The CE&CC is an education and career service center for the Chaldean community. The Center is a group of Chaldean educators and career counselors that actively support the Chaldean community. Some of the Center’s recent programs include education policy board, tutoring book, career counseling, job search services, scholarship search, community workshops, community employment bank, and more. To learn more about the Chaldean Education and Career Center please visit the CECC community webpage on www.chaldean.org or e-mail CECCMI@yahoo.com or ChaldeanEducationAndCareerCenter@yahoo.com for further assistance.
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