How you could help a job seeker at Christmas!
Recently, I was reading comments on one of my professional e-lists about how to answer parents who are looking for presents for their college son or daughter who is in a job search. People were asked to suggest books or other resources.
As I “listened” to this e-mail conversation between career industry professionals (resume writers and career coaches), I’m wondering why no one mentioned immediately that the best present that anyone can give anyone in a job search is a Gift Certificate for services.
How you could help a job seeker at Christmas
When you think about it, if someone is buying their son or daughter video games, a WII, or some other electronic device when they are in a job search, isn’t something wrong with that picture?
Books are nice and I have a library filled with resume writing and job search books. But, if you are stuck in your job search, you probably could get all of them from your local library. However, what you can’t get from a book is someone to guide you through the process.
Why services of a career coach or resume writer is the best possible gift
I can help you:
- organize your thoughts
- sift through your history to find value-driven accomplishments
- load your resume with keywords, teach you how to use the online applications
- steer you on how to use LinkedIn and other social media effectively.
- understand your frustration in the process
- suggest potential careers or positions that fit your profile.
But you could get your job seeker a WII or a nice sweater… but then will they still be looking for a job next Christmas?
3 Comments
Resume Design and Job Seeking Tips
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Julie Walraven
Professional Resume Writer
Here are ways I can help you land your dream job.
You may be halfway across the country or the world. When you work with me, we share coffee, laughs, and concerns. This turns the scary job search into creative, consultative writing and learning sessions.
Julie,
We can do what you describe and so much more.
In the last week I have:
1. Watched a “less qualified” client land an interview over “more qualified” applicants. Yeah!
2. Helped clients prepare for stress and behavior-based interviews.
3. Helped clients write thank you and follow-up letters after interviews.
4. Prepared a client’s referees to be interviewed by a client’s prospective employer.
5. Guided a client through an in-depth values analysis that will serve as a base for setting a new career direction.
6. Worked on a handful of resumes.
7. Helped a client weigh whether to accept or decline a job offer.
I know you provide these services as well.
Going it alone on Job Search 2010/11 is really tough. The people who find good guides to work with land in positions that fit them much more often than the people who go it alone.
I wish that everyone could afford this resource. Choosing to gift this type of support? Priceless. And memorable. No one ever forgets the people who support them in finding in a job.
Donna
Yes, Donna, there are many qualified professionals like you and me. I am busy and my plate is full but every time I read a newspaper article with the issues job seekers face or watch TV, I wonder why the obvious answer is never given. There are compassionate, caring professionals all over the web, on Twitter, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn.
The argument can be made that the job seeker can’t afford our services and maybe that is true but when I hear, oops, I can’t afford you, I have to stretch my unemployment as long as I can, I wonder if they are listening to themselves.
Without help, yes, the job search can be very long. With help, it can still take time but your clients and mine are getting interviews and winning new positions.
Well, busy or not Julie, a Julie Walraven gift certificate would be a fine gift indeed!
Donna