Making the Process Work for You

"I need a job, any job.  Right away!  I just need to pay my bills."

If the above statement reflects where you are in your job search process, you are in dire need of career development assistance.  Take into consideration the ideas of the following section.

JOB SEEKER MISTAKES THAT CAN LEAD TO MISERABLE EXPERIENCES

• Listening to and believing politicians and the media who are exaggerating and sensationalizing challenges in the current job market
• Getting career advice from family, friends, teachers, and other people who are not professional career development facilitators
• A pessimistic perspective about finding satisfying employment
• Viewing work is a distasteful chore and believing enjoyment is only for life outside the job
• Holding onto negative emotions about past experiences
• Assuming one is not able to compete for a great job because they are too old, lack experience, lack certain qualities, etc.
• Applying for jobs they aren’t qualified for and/or don’t really want
• Assuming just a resume or previous job search skills are enough
• Trying to fit oneself to a job opening rather than seeking opportunities that fit 

EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS 
Most of us rely on our jobs for income to meet our needs.  However, employers are not in the business of providing us with an income.  They are providing a product or service and expect their employees and job candidates to

• Have knowledge about and an interest in what the business does
• Know how their skills and experiences fit posted opportunities and/or can benefit the company
• Be ready to learn new skills and open to new ways of doing things
• Demonstrate a positive attitude about their work and their employer

TODAY’S SUCCESSFUL JOB SEEKER

• Practices keeping and projecting a hopeful and optimistic outlook
• Keeps looking, learning, trying and trying again
• Is able to find job postings and create opportunities in their field
• Consults with career development professionals for assistance
• Uses modern resources and techniques to market themselves
• Has a list of their skills and abilities and can apply them to new jobs
• Has confidence in their ability to do well in their chosen profession
• Knows what they want to do and are excited about the prospect of doing it

SFCC CAREER SERVICES OFFERS

• Get That Job Learning Modules in the CAT Lab to develop job search and self-marketing skills
• Individual consultations through our Walk-In Clinics
• Customized strategies
• Career Interest Assessments (part of Get That Job Learning Module 1) 
• Resources for further training and education
• Coaching and cheerleading
• Referrals to appropriate community resources
• A new perspective on careers and the world of work