The more often I see job openings offered by our LEAD partners, the more I wonder about the long-term unemployed LEAD candidate. It is my hope that this person has not given up and remains diligent in the job search.
There are many more employment opportunities available now than were in the fall of 2011. Once the election is behind us, I predict we will see MANY more employment opportunities. It doesn’t matter who wins the election, I just believe more openings will materialize. Another factor in my optimistic outlook is the fact that people who delayed retirement two or three years ago are ready and willing to leave. I also think employers have identified the head count they really need to get the work done. I sense employers are just bracing. I sense they are just waiting to pull the lever to advertise and post job after job after job. My concern is: Will the LEAD candidate be prepared to respond to that job opening as SOON as it is posted? Being prepared NOW is the key.
It appears my communication skills are not as sharp as they used to be. I’m really burdened about this because I find myself repeating the same job search best practices over and over again. As a news reporter, I didn’t have any communication issues. I didn’t have trouble getting points across. Whether reporting through radio or television, I could get a message across. I will continue to work on communicating with candidates and applicants, but in the meantime the following points may be better absorbed if they are shared in written form. Successful candidates of North Texas LEAD will tell you:
- Your resume must include measurable accomplishments. Too many resumes read like job descriptions prompting yawns from hiring managers and recruiters.
- Communicating with LEAD staff at every juncture is critical since you never know if the recruiter who contacted you for an interview today is having lunch with us the next day.
- Following the instructions associated with the Did You Apply link is key to receiving the heightened endorsement from LEAD.
- Do not apply for positions you believe you can do—-apply for positions you can prove you can do.
- Attendance at LEAD’s invitation-only quarterly receptions is for serious job-seekers only with active applications with partners. These receptions attract candidates from all across the country and may provide the ‘edge’ you need to land that position.
- Regularly updating your profile to receive job alerts from LEAD partners is the only way you will consistently know what openings exist.
Congratulations to Gretchen Collins, Chris Fox, Andre McEwing and Christy Buie-Nunley who are among 2012 candidates who have found employment. Successful candidates will tell you they were diligent, coachable and prepared so that when the right opportunity presented itself, they were ready.
I hope LEAD candidates spend every available moment GETTING READY!
Gyna M. Bivens, President and Executive Director
North Texas Leaders and Executives Advocating Diversity
