If ever there was any doubt that finding a job is in itself a job, it's been removed from my mind since I began piling contract and freelance work on my plate. Combined with my volunteer duties on a local cultural organization, the various projects and gigs I've been able to land has made it more difficult for me to do the kind of searching, research and preparation experts say one should do in order to land a good full-time position.
The experts say that one should thoroughly research potential employers in order to tailor resumes, cover letters and contacts to fit the employer's corporate culture, mission and vision. Instead, I'm busy researching economic, employment and industry trends in order to produce blog posts that have some value to the reader.
The experts say that one should network with one's peers to keep abreast of openings in the hidden job market – the one with the positions you never see on a job board (or see only after the employer has identified preferred candidates). Well, my hands are full with students and the requirements of teaching.
The experts recommend volunteer work related to one's field as a way of demonstrating that one is keeping active professionally even while unemployed. Doing that well takes time too.
And some in the punditocracy are critical of efforts to extend unemployment compensation, saying that it subsidizes idleness and keeps workers from taking jobs. Well, they're right – but as research by this year's winners of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics has demonstrated, that is probably a good thing for labor markets, for it gives job-seekers and the jobs they are best suited for time to find each other. There's no time for that when one is working to stay above water.
All in all, I prefer this state of affairs to the alternatives, for an endless job search has its own downsides that can take an even greater toll on one's psyche, not to mention one's wallet. But let's not kid ourselves: many of the now underemployed, I'll bet, are finding it harder to get the work they really want because they're too busy working to afford the time to do it.
Does this describe you? If it does, why not share your story here? If it doesn't, share your secrets that allow you to both work and look for work successfully.
Make time to find work that suits you at BusinessWorkForce.com.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!