Ask jai is a weekly community newspaper career advice column currently published in the Mountain View News, Sierra Madre, Ca. Please submit your questions to: jai@resumeandcareerservices.com.
Dear Jai: I spend between 10 and 20 hours a week applying on-line and sending out resumes to about 20 employers with no results!What am I doing wrong? Unemployed and desperate Dear Unemployed and desperate, There could be numerous and various reasons.So, I am going to answer your question based on the information that you have given me.“It’s a job looking for a job”!You have probably heard this or read it somewhere.It is true.You probably worked 35-40 hours a week for your previous employer and the reward on payday was money.Now, it is time to work for you.You should increase the time you spend job searching to at least 40 hours a week.This will result in you finding and applying for more job opportunities and increase your chances of being contacted by employers.Your payday will be getting an interview and hopefully a job. Jai: Everyone thinks I have a great job and work for a wonderful company.I hate my company.I hate my job.I hate what I do.What do I do? Miserable Dear Miserable, It’s time you find out what you would like to do.Employment should be enjoyment.Start by identifying what you really enjoy. This could be an activity, volunteer work, a hobby or something that you enjoy doing with your free time. Look for a company or industry that is this area. Re-write your resume and focus on your skills, experience and education that will target your new interest and objective. Devote time and a lot of energy in your new job search. You will be surprise how many companies you will find and the type of positions that will be open to you.40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year for the next 30-40 years doing something you hate does not make a happy person or sense. Finding out what you like to do will result in finding the right company, the right job and being happily employed. Jai: I am being told that I dress inappropriate for job interviews.I have my own personal and unique style of dressing and refuse to change it. Stylish. Dear Stylish, I would suggest that you research the company culture before applying for employment or accepting interviews.This can be achieved by searching the company on the internet, reading trade magazines, talking with employees, sitting outside the company and observing employees entering and exiting the building or asking the person who contacted you for the interview.You can not change a company’s culture.Find employment with a company that matches with your style of dressing. They do exist!
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