The "art" of job hunting

Important statistics about the “art” of job hunting:


1. 4% of those who post their resumes on an internet career site become employed.

2. 7% of those who send their resumes to employers at random find a job.

3. Between 5% and 24% of those responding to newspaper ads are successful; 5% for higher salaried positions and up to 24% for trade professions and “labor-intensive jobs.”

4. 14% find employment by visiting their local unemployment office.

5. 5% find employment by visiting private employment agencies.

6. Talking to people you know (your network) if they know of available positions: 33%

7. 69% find work by identifying the firms in their area who do the kind of work you do and contacting them about their needs.

The moral of these numbers: The nature of job hunting has changed. Don’t rely on one method; combining several will increase your chances of landing a job. Actively searching for the right employer match for you begins with a careful “inventory [of] your skills,” defining the field you want and how you want to use your skills, and researching the organizations you want to work for. For information about this topic, refer to:

Bolles, Mark Emery and Richard Nelson Bolles. 2008. Job-Hunting Online. 5th ed.
Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Rock the interview!

Do you have an interview scheduled and you want to make the most of it? Remaining cool, confident, and in control is key to presenting yourself well, but that may be easier said than done. Following these few simple steps will take some of the initial hurdles out of your way.


1. Presentation – Ensuring you are presentable is an important part of the interview because the interviewer will be gauging your mannerisms and personality as well as the answers to the questions. Try these tips:

• Sleep well the night before. You will be alert and without the telltale signs of an all-nighter

• If you smoke, don’t. Cigarette smoke attaches to your hair, skin, and clothes and does not smell good and nonsmokers will pick the distinctive scent up immediately. Conversely, do not layer on the perfume or cologne. Use it sparingly if at all.

• Eat regular meals. There is nothing worse than sitting in an interview and, during the moments of silence, your stomach growls.

• Turn the cell phone off, not on vibrate – off. You are trying to make a lasting impression on the employer, make sure it is a positive one. Convey the notion that the interview is the only thing you are concerned with.

• Dress the part. A little research will go a long way. If their code is business professional, dress business professional; if it is business casual, match it, but also try to exceed those expectations. One word, however, should be a part of any applicant’s attire: CONSERVATIVE. Avoid tight-fitting or revealing clothes, you may want to also hide any body piercings or tattoos.

2. Practice – Participating in a fluid conversation will help your chances of landing the position.

• Review your resume. Be prepared to call upon experiences that reflect the information you have included.

• There are standard interview questions many employers ask that you should be prepared for (visit www.jobinterviewquestions.org for some examples).

• Check your mannerisms. Maintain eye contact, try not to stammer or say “um,” don’t pick at your nails, etc.

3. Prepare – Regardless of the position you are interviewing for, being prepared for the interview will make it go smoothly.

• Be on time (if not early)! If you arrive at the interview late, the first thing the interviewer will wonder will be if this is a pattern of yours.

• Bring your resume, a black pen, and identification such as a driver’s license, social security card, and proof of citizenship.

These tips are not fail-safe; you are still responsible for answering questions intelligently and demonstrating that you are the right person for the job. These tips, however, should reduce some of the stress and anxiety you may encounter.

Managing Job Search Stress

Job hunting can be one of the most stressful times in one’s life. Stress reduction techniques are based on the principle that although we cannot always change the circumstances or events causing the stress we can change our reaction and relationship to the stressful event. Similar to the interviewing technique of flipping negatives to positives, developing and practicing ways of managing your stress can help you feel less anxious and more in control of your circumstances. The more you practice positive and healthy reactions the easier and more natural they become for you. Anxiety, fear, frustration, anger, and hopelessness are some of the emotional symptoms associated with job search stress. Learning to control your stress is the key to successfully combating those negative feelings and finding yourself successfully employed sooner.


Here are 5 ways to successfully manage the stress of job searching:
1. Identify the triggers associated with your particular job search stress. Sure, you want to be employed, but what else? What can you do to get closer to those goals? Write out a job search plan and prioritize your tasks.
2. Find your support systems. Positive and supportive people, animals, and environments help relieve stress from job hunting. A job seekers support group is one of the best ways to relieve the stress of the search.
3. Exercise, eat well, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep. Engaging in unhealthy activities during stressful times may seem easier at the moment but keeping your body in good shape will help keep your mind and attitude healthy.
4. Learn to control your reactions. Implement the interview flipping technique into all aspects of your job search and daily life. You do not always have control of the events that happen in your job search but you have control of your attitude towards them. Stay positive.
5. Take time for laughter and “life” other than the job hunt. Make time to recharge and relax. Get a hobby, learn something new, volunteer at a local library, or listen to some music. Allow yourself time to re-energize. The less stressed you are the more productive you will be in your job search.

Why not come to the next Job Club meeting on April 27, 2010, at 4pm - 5:30pm in MC 102?

(Developed by Kim O'Ryan, CSU Career Services Center)

Coping With The Trials of Unemployment

Do you want to know how to manage the stress of the job search?


Do you need help maintaining that element of Hope?

To learn more please join us for the next NETWORK Job Seekers Peer Support Group meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 13 from 4:00-5:30 in MC 102. Gina Huffman from CSU’s McNair Scholars Program and Elizabeth Okwudi from CSU Career Services will share their personal stories of challenges and managing stress during their journeys to successful employment. Elizabeth will share her presentation "Coping With The Trials of Unemployment. join us for coffee, tea, and light snacks!

To RSVP or any questions please email Kim O'Ryan at k.oryan@csuohio.edu or call 216-687-2234.

Marketing your liberal arts degree

If you are one of the many liberal arts majors who are graduating this spring, you may have been asked “what are you going to do with that?” You will also be pleased to hear that according to employers themselves, liberal arts majors bring a large capacity for learning to the workplace. Employers want employees who can adapt to a changing environment; effectively communicate both in writing and orally, solve problems through analytical and critical thinking; and interact well with others. Fortunately, these are some of the hallmark skills one learns with a liberal arts education. Unlike technological skills, these skills will never be obsolete. Marketing these skills to potential employers becomes the primary focus to those in the job-hunting process. Begin with these five transferable skills, thinking how to relate them to your experiences and relay them on your resume and during the interview:


1. ability to communicate
2. interpersonal skills
3. adaptability to change
4. critical and analytical thinking
5. problem-solving skills

(above information from: Gerrish, Sally R. and Sarah B. Thompson. “Understanding the Value of a Liberal Arts Education” in Choices and Challenges: Job Search Strategies for Liberal Arts Students, 3rd ed. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1998.)