How to Find Work: In the 21 st Century In the 20 th century the majority of people earned a living with full time, permanent jobs. In the 21 st century: An increasing number of people are self employed. In the U.S % of the workforce is employed in non- traditional roles as temps, part-timers, contract workers or self-employed consultants and their numbers are growing. Today, it makes more sense to look for WORK, as opposed to looking for a JOB. But most people don’t know how to do that, which is understandable since our society is still centered around full- time employment and has been for the last 100 years.
Work vs Job Looking for work is much different than looking for a job but since most people don’t understand that, they approach it the same way. In today’s world: WORK often leads to a JOB. Most of the employment opportunities are to be found in small companies. If you approach these companies with the mindset that the only thing you’ll accept is full-time, permanent job, you might be shooting yourself in the foot. What you need to think about is your attitude, what you’re really looking for is security, but that’s something the business owner might not have.
Changes Traditionally people looking for work use a generic resume that outlines their past experiences. This is not effective because a resume leaves it up to the employers to figure out how you can add value to their organization. That’s no way to sell yourself. The general theme of most resumes is “Here’s what I did yesterday”. To be effective in today’s workplace the theme has to be “Here’s how I can help you today”.
The Keys to Successfully Finding Work 1. You must be clear on what you have to offer and how that benefits the employer you’re targeting. 2. Since most of them are hidden, you have to learn how to find employment opportunities that exist. 3. You have to learn how to sell yourself.
The Future There is work available, but a lot of it is not packaged in the form of a job as we traditionally understand the term. Future generations may look back on our society’s dependence on ‘jobs’ as silly and naïve. Future employers may look back on this era of downsizing and outsourcing and see it as ill conceived, overdone and inconsistent with the needs of businesses and individuals. They may conclude that for a business to prosper in the long run they need a stable, permanent workforce. Who knows????
What is a Résumé? Why Write a Résumé? · To get an interview · To reaffirm why hiring you solves the employer’s problems
Why Write a Résumé? Your résumé is a key marketing tool through which you can present your qualifications to potential employers. It sells you and presents your value to the employer. Your résumé will not get you the job; however, if it is written well, it will help you get through to the next stage of the selection process… the interview. There are no set rules in résumé writing, but the following guidelines offer a good starting point for developing an effective résumé.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. One or two pages should give you a sufficient opportunity to identify a number of accomplishments and present an impression of substance and capacity. If you have an extensive background of experience, you can always include an addendum to your résumé.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. A well-written résumé portrays WHAT you can do by revealing what you have done. If you are uncertain about what you have compiled, give your résumé to someone whose judgment and writing skills you respect.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. A results-oriented résumé is generally more powerful and impressive than one which highlights only responsibilities.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. An effective résumé is simple and straightforward. Avoid the obvious.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. A résumé must be accurate. Employers will check out your claims if they are interested in you and will discover discrepancies if they exist.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. A résumé should be visually attractive and easy to read.
Guidelines for Developing an Effective Résumé. Use quality paper and stick to white, off-white, cream or buff colours. Pay attention to the balance of “white space” and type. Have your résumé professionally reproduced or produced on a laser printer (no cheap photocopies).