Image Credit: deanmeyersnet via Flickr
Throughout the century, there have been booms and recessions in the US economy. During a recession, colleges fill up with the over qualified and under employed. It seems just a few more technical skills or a completed degree will open the door to the next employment opportunity.
Salaried, middle management positions and high paying jobs in the automotive industry are rapidly disappearing. Those employees find themselves among the under employed as they take lower paying, and less prestigious opportunities. As this happens, the jobs that typically are open for students to work part-time and seasonally become increasingly difficult to find.
A student who managed to acquire and keep three part time jobs while attending school full-time during a previous recession offers seven steps to getting a job.
1. Pound the Pavement – many jobs are not advertised. If online job registries and the classified ads have not provided results, you need to get off the internet and out to the streets for your job search to be successful.
2. Ask for an Application – Many places with high turnover, like food service and retail stores, are always looking for hard workers and fast learners. Don’t ask, “Are you hiring?” They may say ‘no’. However, that could change at any time and they’ll be glad to have the phone number of such a qualified applicant. And, you’ll be glad you left it there.
3. Fill out the application while you’re there if possible. The sooner you return it, the closer you’ll be to getting that job.
4. Dress appropriately – The hiring manager is likely to be there, and your first impression might be the difference between an immediate interview and having your application fall to the bottom of an immense pile.
5. Bring identification – On the spot interviews are not uncommon, even in a recession. Present yourself in a professional manner, fill out your application neatly and be prepared for the manager to take a few minutes to talk to you right then.
6. Be available – if you are willing to work shifts that others are not, Friday nights for instance, it may be just the thing that you need to make your application stand above the rest.
7. Call – frequently – but, not excessively. Say that you are still interested, and you may get your application moved to the top of the pile.
Repeat these steps until you get the job you need!
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