Job hunt requires more than resume

Question:I‘ve applied for a lot of jobs but I almost never get called in for an interview. Could you look at my resume and see what I’m doing wrong? – Manny

Answer- Dale: The issue isn’t your resume. It looks fine. No, the problem isn’t what you’re sending, but how you’re using it. When people tell us that they are applying for jobs, what they usually mean is that they’re sending a resume in response to ads. That’s great, when it works. But unless you have exceptional qualifications, you have to do more than mailings; you have to make real the “search” in “job searcher.” Take, for instance, the man who noticed that a company he admired was adding a new wing to its building. He then reasoned that the company was growing and that it would be hiring. It was; and company officials also were impressed that he called. He beat the competition to the job opening.

Kate: You can start that kind of search with your newspaper. When you look at ads, don’t just look for a job to apply for, also look for those jobs that surround the one you want. You see that a company is advertising for someone junior to your level. Don’t think, “Close, but no cigar.” Think, “That company is hiring!” Contact people at a level senior to yours, and tell them how you’re interested in their organization and would like a brief meeting to introduce yourself because “you never know when you’ll need someone like me.” Then stay in touch with them. Do this with 10 or 15 companies, and you’ll never have to worry about finding a job again.

Question: We recently had someone leave our department. The position has not been filled for three months now, and the work is being split between a co-worker and myself. We have both been putting in many hours of overtime, but due to budget constraints, we are not paid overtime. How should we address this issue? – Erica

Answer- Dale: If your boss has you talking about “budget constraints,” then I feel confident in telling you how management feels about your situation: It’s not a problem; it’s an experiment in saving money, and it’s working.

Kate: Exactly – there is no incentive for them to hurry. Things could become permanent if you and your co-worker don’t make change happen. First, you must prepare a formal overview of what has been happening, the hours involved and the impact on you personally. You must warn your manager that the work will begin to slip.

Dale: There’s a fine line between pointing out a problem and being a problem. You stay on the right side by talking about the danger of compromising the work and the department’s customers. You have to make management feel that the risks of working short-handed outweigh the savings of not hiring someone.

Kate: Keep smiling as you point out those risks, and keep telling your boss, “I love working here, and I’m getting as much done as I can.” Don’t let anyone catch you with a bad attitude. Instead, offer to help with hiring.