7 Reasons You Won't Get a Job in 2009

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This is the worst job advice Ive come across on the internet to date. Do the exact opposite of what this article says and you should land a job in no time!

Kelso of WA 5:45PM March 22, 2010

past 1960 added ppm without brightness without

janydpray of CO 9:16AM February 09, 2010

This is so 1999 and really bad advice (and comments) for anyone trying to get a job in the new depression.
Companies like "interviewmastery.com" are old school and will lead many to starvation.
The number of people receiving unemployment benefits is over 9%.
The number of people who used up thos benefits and are still looking for work is 7%. The number of people working part time that really, really need full time is another 3%.
Since Obama put no conditions on the money given to banks for the so-called stimulus package: the number of small business loans dropped to an all-time low. The number of new jobs created is an all time low - and going down in 2010 to 1939 Depression percentages.
Today - there are 19 fully qualified people for each job. That in no way means that you need to apply for 19 jobs to get one. And 2010 will be much worse.
The rules of the past just don't work.
If it was not bad enough, the H1 (H1-B) work visa just allowed over 400,000 skilled workers into the US since 2009 and is ramping up. The foreign workers offer companies huge tax free incentives.
With you kind of advice, no wonder we just saw the largest home foreclosure quarter in modern history and see that there is a much larger backlog waiting for the first quarter of 2010. Sept 2009 reports 1 in nine homes getting food stamps - a new record.
Things changed. And the new government only understands debt spending that is driving away investors. Interview skills of the 1990's don't work today.
Offer something for the current events.

JohnQ of CO 2:07PM October 18, 2009

All those are fine ways to connect with an employer. People that should have jobs and don't because they don't necessarily know how to interview well. Not only that, they don't know what to say in order to engage their interviewer.
Here's a good article I came across. I've never read advice like this b4 about what to say when the interviewer asks you, do you have a question 4 me?
Check it out - http://www.nextstepscareer.com/ask-your-interviewer-smart-questions.php
Ryan P.

Ryan "Bro" P. of SC 10:37PM September 07, 2009

I like the tips for bullet #4, answering the greatest weakness question. Here's my take on how to answer that question:
In this short post, I discuss the secret to answering the weakness question.
http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/01/how-to-answer-what-is-your-biggest.html
In this longer post, I analyze Barack Obama's response to a variant of the common greatest weakness interview question, drawing inspiration from an interview between Katie Couric and Obama.
http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/01/ace-your-job-interview-questions-like.html
- Lewis, SeattleInterviewCoach.com

Seattle Interview Coach of WA 2:15PM March 15, 2009

I've discovered networking to be more critical than ever before. Like chatting up relatives, with good networking I've discovered a couple of positions I would not have known of otherwise, and I've found connections to some I did know about. I recently discovered w2wlink.com, the site Amanda mentioned. The site has Network Circles, and I joined the one on Networking. I'm actually able to connect with new people through the site. It's great! I can do it in my sweats or jammies. I think it's complementary to my other networking.

Catherine of IL 8:11PM February 01, 2009

In this economy, expect that for most admnistrative assistant positions, you are 1 of 300 people applying. As such, it is very important to have a well written resume when applying.
In the past agencies have said to focus on the companies you really want to work for. In this economy, that might not work as most of the larger companies are laying off or at only hiring a couple of key positions. Its important to look at your skill sets and look for any place that is hiring where you think you could make a contribution.
If looking for a job and money is tight, consider both part-time and full-time positions. If you get a part-time position, try to arrange for either morning or afternoon hours. That will allow you to interview for a job and still bring home a pay check. In some states, they will still pay partial unemployment benefits if your last position paid higher and you are working part time. This is not always the case, but something to look at to also augment your income.
Be willing to work odd shift jobs (week-ends, evenings, etc.). This might now be your ideal working hours, but it will help in the interim. When hiring picks up again, you can look for a job with hours you prefer. Or you might find out this odd shift job actually works out great and won't even need to look as you are happy.
In other words, look outside your normal comfort zone - both industry wise; hour wise; and shift wise (part or full). It can help with weathering the unemployment storm in 2009.

Samantha of CA 6:26PM January 29, 2009

Liz - Good points. Especially appreciated the suggestions to talk about your job search at the grocery store or with relatives. We are all so connected in our communities - more than we realize. Barbara's point about online presence is something I realize I need to work on. Muser mentions marketing yourself, which I am exploring on a women business site, w2wlink.com. They have recently added professional tracks to their site, and Personal Branding was especially relevant to this topic.

Amanda of CA 11:00AM January 27, 2009

If you stick to your hobbies and interests and be true to who you are then employers will see that in you and want to hire you, but if you go into the interview all fake sounding and superficial it just want work this day in age. The only way to truly make it through these tough economic times is to be an entrepreneur and make your own work whether or not it is highly profitable or not. I.E. take the time to self improve and sharpen your skill set.

Jones of GA 9:06AM January 26, 2009

Liz,
I think it is also important for candidates to understand how they are usually match to jobs in this electronic age.
Resumes are usually automatically populated into mass databases, HR or internal staffing departments run key word searches against the database to match to their open requisitions.
Unfortunately resumes are poor representations of oneself. Would they HR rep choose to search using words that you used to describe your experience? Beware of shortening your resume bexcause if it isn't their HR assumes it didn't happen. Not all Financial Analysts are conducting financial analysis. I know, it seems odd.
If you are writing your resume, sudy other resumes similar to what you do and try to include all similar language. Ask your former co-workers/peers how to describe the work that they do. Make sure to include the language in your text.
Beware not to bore the reader! Be short and concise while including all verbage.

Celine of CA 4:31PM January 12, 2009