WorkWise Q&A: Paralyzed by job hunting fears .... what can be done?

HOPE

Q: Dear Mildred, My daughter wants to work in an industry that requires people to handle money well, but her record of doing so isn’t clean. (She’s not a criminal.)

She’s afraid she’s going to be stuck in fast food, getting paid for plasma, etc., because she hasn’t turned up any jobs. She also says she’s exhausted and hanging on by her fingernails, that she has nothing left to give. The thought of doing one more thing overwhelms her.

At Loose Ends

A: Dear At, I’m not a psychologist, but it appears she might want to speak with one to revive her spirits. This is a particularly difficult problem at this time of year because of the dampening effect of gloomy weather. Your daughter needs to know that she can come alive after failure.

Would she consider a “getting-by” job that wouldn’t require all of her brains or energy? Some of that energy could be spent in healing. At the same time, she could open a business, which wouldn’t require credit checks and would allow her to be creative on her own schedule. If she develops something she wants to keep, she can.

mlc

ISOLATION

Q: Dear Dr. Culp, I’ve run an organization, but I’ve been out of work for some time. Please look at my résumé and tell me what you think.

Wondering

A: Dear Wondering, Your résumé makes you look obsolete. It has no objective, is unbelievably long and has a typo next to your most recent company.

It suggests you’re dinosauric and an intellectual lightweight who has to regurgitate accomplishments back to the early 80s. Why would anyone read it?

Without an objective, a résumé encourages an employer to read and formulate his own interpretation of what you’ve accomplished and where you belong. What other mistakes are you making as you conscientiously job hunt? What you don’t know does hurt you.

Network to find a person who will help you give yourself a chance. If you know no one, check with executive search firms. They’re accustomed to giving referrals of all kinds. However, if they volunteer to do yours, you still need help, because search firms and recruiters have their own rules. Go after a third party for a résumé to promote.

mlc