Learning, honing skills necessary for finding jobs during economic volatility

Business closures. Layoffs. Downsizing. Cutbacks. Is there any good news for an Alabamian looking for employment?

While the figures may not be fabulous, a report by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations shows that, as of November 2008, the state was showing a 6.1 percent unemployment rate as compared to the national average of 6.7 percent. Alabamians may be facing a tough job market, but our surrounding states — Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi — are all experiencing above-national unemployment percentages.

But the fact remains: many Alabama residents are out there trying to find work, and only so many positions are available. If you’re one of those in the job-hunting market, what can you do to help ensure you’ll fill one of the openings?

The hottest trend is to hire a job coach. This is a person who works with you one-on-one to help you put your best foot forward when it comes to your goals, resumé, dress, mannerisms and total image.

Pam Hillary, an Iowa-based business coach (www.KneadingMinds.com), said, “The number one mistake made by interviewees is not understanding the word ‘professional,’ as it applies to conversation, dress and actions.”

Showing up in proper clothing and conducting yourself in an appropriate manner are imperative to the success of an interview.

Susie Strauss of One to One: Women Coaching Women (www.OneToOne.info), said, “Hiring a coach gives a job seeker an edge.” And in today’s tough job market, who doesn’t need one?

James Pedderson is the director of public relations for the international firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. — an outplacement consulting organization.

“Basically when companies lay off an individual or group, they bring us in to provide the outplacement services,” he said. In other words, Pedderson’s company is skilled at helping professionals find new employment.

Asked for the best “pearl” he could offer a job seeker, Pedderson said, “Hit the ground running. Don’t take the time to sit around feeling sorry for yourself. … It’s a waste of time and energy.”

But as the abundance of job coaches and placement services indicate, not everyone knows where or how to run.
That’s why members of Birmingham’s Asbury United Methodist Church (www.AsburyOnline.org) created the ACT (Asbury Career Transition) Ministry to help job seekers. ACT’s free services include one-on-one mentoring, resumé writing, interview coaching, Christian counseling, prayer partnering and more.

It comes down to this: any training or help that’s available, get it. And remember these pointers:

• Job-hunting is a job, and until you find a new paying position, it’s your current full-time occupation. Spend at least eight hours each weekday filling out applications, sending out resumés, doing interviews and tracking down job leads.
• If you are turned down for the job you sought, shake off any discouragement and stick to the hunt. Most job seekers interview with or apply to between 10 and 70 companies before finding employment. Author Madeleine L’Engle’s award-winning book “A Wrinkle in Time” was rejected more than two dozen times before connecting with that one willing publisher.
• Think small. Don’t spend all your job-hunting time on big companies with lots of employees. Large businesses may hire more people, but they also tend to do the fastest downsizing. Ninety-five percent of American businesses are small companies, which means there are enormous job opportunities out there amid the little guys.
• Network. Everyone you come in contact with needs to know you’re seeking employment. True story: Larry found himself out of work, so he mentioned it to his neighbor John. John offered to phone a fishing buddy of his to see if he had any job openings. The buddy turned out to be vice president of a corporation in need of Larry’s exact skills.

Larry found this job just because he made sure everyone he knew understood he was looking for a job.

• Any work beats no work. While that may be an oversimplification, the fact is that earning a paycheck trumps holding out for the job of your dreams. Accept the available position and use your off-time to search for more suitable employment.
• Consider updating your job skills. A little time in school can mean a lifetime of added income opportunities.

Community colleges, technical schools and online courses offer day, evening and flexible class hours that can be worked around your job or job-hunting schedule.

• Above all, pray. Philippians 4:6 reminds us: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Ask for the Lord’s guidance as you seek employment, and trust Him and thank Him for His faithfulness to meet your needs. And as you do that, no matter how long it takes to land that new job, the Word of God gives you this guarantee: “the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

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Tips for job seekers with disabilities

• Arrive in plenty of time to park and get to the interview area.
• Make sure any aids you use — wheelchair, cane, etc. — are in good condition.
• Give advance notice if you have an animal aid or if an interpreter is needed.
• Steer the focus of the interview to your abilities and not your disability.

Helpful online resources:

• www.al-apse.org (supported employment)
• www.rehab.state.al.us (rehabilitation services)
• www.AlabamaBLN.org (business leadership network)
• www.AccessAlabama.org (disability action coalition)
• www.rehab.alabama.gov/maps (disability program)
• www.good.state.al.us (governor’s office on disability)
• www.ILRU.org and www.ilrgb.org (independent living centers)
• www.aidb.org (institute for deaf and blind)
• www.ServiceLocator.org (career centers)
• www.asbdc.org (small business development)
• www.alawin.org (work incentives network)
• www.adap.net (disabilities advocacy program)
• www.EEOC.gov (equal employment opportunity)
• www.UCP.org (cerebral palsy)
• www.DisabilityInfo.gov (Americans with disabilities)
• www.NTID.RIT.edu (technical institute for deaf)