Always Be Job Hunting

How did I find a job at 60+?

Posted on January 7, 2014 by John N. Frank

Finding my current job was the toughest job hunt I’ve ever had, and I’ve had some whoppers over the years. The search took more than a year, I didn’t keep track of how many ads I answered or contacts I got in touch with, but it’s safe to say more than 100 or so.

The tepid economy had something to do with it, but more than that I think my age is finally coming into play. It’s not that anyone came right out and said they wouldn’t hire an old guy (well, one person actually did but let’s call him an outlier; he knew me personally and so likely felt more comfortable being completely honest than most hiring managers would be).

This job hunt was my toughest in 37 years.

Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged career changes, job hunting, search tips | Leave a comment

What happened to Always Be Job Hunting?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by John N. Frank

This blog has gone dark in recent months, so you might be wondering what happened to Always Be Job Hunting?

The answer is I’ve been job hunting and didn’t want to write about anything that might tip off my current employer that I was looking for a new opportunity.

The good news is I’ve found such an opportunity. Beginning Dec. 30, I will be the new news editor for Modern Healthcare magazine and its associated e-newsletters. I will be returning to journalism after trying a two-year career change to become a market research manager.

I got the job. I start my new position Dec. 30.

Without a doubt, this has been the toughest job hunt of my career, one that had me questioning many of the job-hunting lessons I amassed in my book. I came close to getting a position in late spring, literally being interviewed by 15 people at that place and wondering how I could not get the job after that much scrutiny. Continue reading →

Posted in career switch, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, frustration, job hunting | 6 Comments

Want a free resume critique? Try this site

Posted on October 23, 2013 by John N. Frank

Making your resume stand out from the crowd is always a challenge. A lot of people provide resume critique and even resume writing services. My daughter tried one a while back that wasn’t very good, so beware what you’re buying if you try one. Ask for examples of its work and customer names to contact.

I recently came across a site, Doostang Career Services, that does resume critiques for free, as it tried to sell you a resume service. I submitted a resume of mine to see how detailed a free critique would be.

It was more detailed than I expected and contained some tried and true resume writing advice. Examples of what it told me included: Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting | Tagged resume, resumes | 1 Comment

Interested in association jobs? Try this source

Posted on October 22, 2013 by John N. Frank

I came across a job source here in Chicago that will let you know about openings at trade and other associations across the country. If you’re in association management, or any of the services associations hire staff to handle, you may find this useful. It’s run by the Association Forum of Chicagoland.

You can register and it will send you regular e-mails with openings that match search criteria you input (although I’ve found its idea of a match to be extremely broad). I’ll paste an example below: Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged association management, job hunting | Leave a comment

Job Opening: Marketing, Communications Mgr., Chicago

Posted on October 21, 2013 by John N. Frank

This one came to me from a college alumni listserv. It’s amazing today that when you search for journalism jobs on indeed.com or careerbuilder.com, what comes up more than not are positions like this which are marketign communications, not journalism. A sign perhaps of the death of mainstream journalism, and the senior-level jobs that once made it tick?
Good luck, and good job hunting.

Respiratory Health Association of Greater Chicago
Overview: The marketing and communications manager is responsible for managing the department’s workflow and overseeing the development and implementation of the association’s communications, including design, content, production and distribution of print and digital pieces. The manager will work closely with colleagues in programs, policy, development and events departments to maintain a consistent brand identity and to raise awareness of the association, its initiatives and activities.

HELP WANTED

Reports To: President/CEO
Status: Full-time, Exempt Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job opening | Tagged job hunting, job opening, marketing communications, new job | Leave a comment

How do I cope with job hunting frustration?

Posted on October 15, 2013 by John N. Frank

Most job counselors will tell you not to get frustrated by a long job search, not to doubt yourself, to change your approach or something else you do.

I have advice on what to do as well, but I am the first to admit how utterly frustrating it can be to send out resume after resume and get zero response. ZERO, nothing. To know you’re qualified for jobs and not hear back?

It’s HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE! To deny that, or to say it’s somehow all the job seeker’s fault, is ridiculous, plain and simple.

So how do you cope? I think first you acknowledge what a pain it is, and then step back for a second, an hour or even a day or week. Let it alone. The more you rush to apply places out of frustration, the more desperate you’ll sound, and be.

Why is no one calling you back? Job hunting is extremely frustrating.

Remember, the entire job hunting process is designed to make you feel worthless, to feel like just a number among millions. When that feeling overwhelms you, you need to step back and get some emotional strength to fight it off. Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips, Uncategorized | Tagged frustration, job hunting | Leave a comment

What are 10 job hunting mistakes?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by John N. Frank

Everyone loves lists, even I have run some here from time to time as they relate to job hunting or holding onto a job. So I thought I’d share a list of 10 job hunting mistakes I came across recently.

Do you have a list of job-hunting don’ts? Try this one.

The list, from author Fred R. Myers, includes: Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged frustration, interviewing, job hunting, search tips | Leave a comment

How do you pick your job references?

Posted on October 8, 2013 by John N. Frank

More and more places these days ask you to submit references along with your application, rather than waiting until you get to the final rounds of the selection process as had been the norm in the past. So how do you decide on references to have ready for any application?

First, pick former supervisors and coworker who think highly of you as a professional, not just as a person. A hiring manager doesn’t want to hear how much fun you are at parties or on fishing trips, he or she wants to know how you work and what motivates you, along with what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Who will give you a thumbs up reference? Pick wisely.

Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged job hunting, personal brand building, references | Leave a comment

How quickly should I respond to a job ad?

Posted on October 7, 2013 by John N. Frank

Online job ads appear round-the-clock these days, unlike times gone by when ads normally hit in Sunday newspaper classified sections (remember those)?

So how quickly do you need to respond to an ad that interests you? A recent article I read on TheLadders.com suggests 72 hours is the window for applying.