7 of 30

Write now Article Tools

Being realistic on your job search entails understanding the current job market and zeroing in on your skills, your background, and the job you are applying for. If you're confused at what it all means, let's take a closer look at what it means to be realistic when searching for a job.

The Current Job Market
Currently, the job market is rough. Very rough. The second recession since 2001, and people are getting laid off left and right. More companies are tightening their belts and hiring on fewer workers. Does that mean you won't find a job? In short, not necessarily.

While some career fields including construction, finance, real estate, and manufacturing are laying off workers, others are in dire need of new recruits (particularly in healthcare). If you've got the cash on hand and you want to change careers, retraining in a growing career field may be a good option.

The job market also depends on what city you live in. In some areas of the country, growth is still exploding despite poor economic conditions. For example, the North Dallas suburb of Allen, TX is expanding along Interstate 75 with numerous stores, shopping centers, homes, apartments, and planned communities spurring economic growth and land value appreciation. On the flip side, rust-belt cities such as Detroit are suffering due to turbulence in the automotive manufacturing sector.

Stiff Competition
As in any recessionary period, competition for each position heats up as a greater number of job seekers apply at the same time. This puts tremendous pressure on the company's HR department, who must filter through hundreds of resumes for each position. This is the reason job candidates become frustrated that they can send out 100 resumes per month and never receive a response from a single employer.

What this means for the job seeker is greater persistence and tenacity in contacting the hiring manager for each position applied. Realistically speaking, many companies (particularly larger ones) make it very difficult to get through to anyone, let alone HR. But try as best you can to get a contact name and e-mail, follow up, and don't take no for an answer until they tell you otherwise.

Job Search Advice
If you're looking for a job, chances are you'll hear all kinds of advice. Some will be helpful; yet others will be downright unrealistic. For example, I once attended a job networking group sponsored by a local church. The leader of the group insisted how important it is to call the CEO on the phone and ask him for a job. Sure; let's get Bill Gates on the phone so I can get a job at Microsoft! As if it's even possible to contact anyone in the company via phone, let alone the CEO (i.e., with the possible exception of small or startup firms).

Nonetheless, networking is always a good thing to do if you're unemployed. Be sure to sign up on Linkedin.com, a professional business networking website. Beyond Linkedin, search for job networking groups in your community so you can share job leads and vital pre-employment information. They always say, it's who you know, not what you know.

Take the time to refine your resume; hone your interviewing skills; and bone up on your job skills. If there are adult education courses you can take to further those skills and you have the money, consider pursuing it. Sign up for job search websites such as Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, and Dice.com. Read the Advice sections of their websites.

In summary, being realistic about your job search simply means recognizing the challenges today's job seekers face in our rough economy. Once you see these challenges, you can work around them to make your job search a more effective one.

Learn more about this author, Daniel J. Gansle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to be realistic about your job search?
We want to hear your view. Write now!