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[C1365]Customer Service Job Search

by Heather Eagar, Hea

Sometimes no matter how much you try you can't - and don't want to ? make your current job work for you. Maybe it's too many demands coming from too many places; maybe it's the lack of systems that is driving you crazy. Whatever it is, you're at your breaking point and you know it's time to look elsewhere for career fulfillment.

If you're like most job seekers, a new job isn't going to fall into your lap the second you want it to. It's going to take a little time to find the right positions and companies in which to apply. And you know what that means, right? You have to make the most out of the situation.

Take Time to Unwind

If you're miserable at your job, you might have a problem with ?turning off? your thoughts about your current job and job search during your down time. That's natural and completely understandable. However, you don't want this to take over your life.

While it takes a lot of time and effort to find a new job, you have to make some effort to have fun and relax. Set up a certain amount of time to work on your job search each day or week while making time for other fun activities. This is a necessity for keeping your sanity.

Don't Get Overwhelmed

Take your job search one day at a time. You know the steps you need to take in order to secure a new position. Write out a plan and make it happen. Make it a doable plan though. If you don't have 4 hours a day to spend on your job search, then don't plan for four hour's worth of tasks. Instead, plan what you believe is achievable but that also makes you work on a timeline. Try not to get too stressed about the whole process. Prepare your documents and yourself for your job search and you'll gain more confidence in your ability to land a new job.

Make the Most of Your Situation

While you're looking for a way out, don't forget that there are many opportunities that may present themselves exactly where you're at. Training to sharpen transferable skills is a perfect way to add depth to your resume. There may even be positions in other departments become available that interest you. Of course, this only works if you're willing to stay within the same company.

If staying in the company is not an option - and especially if you have ill-will toward some people there - it may be tempting to step on some toes on your way out. Don't. You never know when you might see those toes again.

There is no need to go around with a chip on your shoulder just because ?you'll be leaving soon.? How soon is soon? You have no idea so put your happy-face on and act like you plan on being there until you retire.

Many times when you've come to the conclusion that you're ready for a new job, you're already behind in your job search. Get that resume updated and polished, search for posted jobs and network. Find out what's out there and then make your move.

According to most experts, the average job search takes about five months to complete. Five months is a long time to spend job searching, especially if you are currently out of work! Why does the average job search take this long? One of the primary reasons is because most job seekers are using the exact same job search strategies. Most of them are using what could be called the “wait and hope” strategy.

The wait and hope strategy is comprised of three primary steps.

1- Search for jobs which are being advertised

2- Submit a resume for selected jobs

3- WAIT AND HOPE for an interview

This is the primary strategy used because this is the way we were all taught to look for jobs.

A Better Job Search Strategy

Most people are not aware that only twenty percent of all vacant jobs are actually filled through advertising. This fact is a real eye opener for most people. If only twenty percent of jobs are filled through advertising, that leaves an overwhelming majority of eighty percent which are filled without advertising. If a job is not advertised, how is it ever filled? They are filled through the hidden job market!

What exactly is the hidden job market? These are the jobs that are hidden from public view. For the job seekers who only look for jobs through the classifieds or online advertising, they are completely left out of consideration for these jobs. Considering that eighty percent of jobs are filled this way, they miss out on the majority of jobs that are actually available. This is great news for the job seeker who is willing to learn how to tap into the hidden job market!

Five Easy Steps

You can tap into the hidden job market in five easy steps. Here is a short description of each step.

Step 1 - Develop A Target List Of Employers

The first thing you need to do is to develop a list of employers who have the type of job(s) you are interested in, in the locations you want, and are employers you would like to work for. I call this list of potential employers your job opportunity list. This list of potential employers can be very long, or quite short depending on your interests and needs.

Step 2- Do Some Research

Once you have your job opportunity list together, use the Internet to do a little research on each potential employer. Use the company's web site to read about the company, it's mission, it's products, any current news, and most importantly, find a company directory. Use the directory to find out who is the director or supervisor of the department you want to be hired into.

Step 3- Look For Advertised Jobs

No, I haven't changed my mind. Advertised jobs should not be your primary means of finding your next job, but you should still spend a little time and see what types of jobs are being advertised in your area. Pay special attention to jobs advertised by companies on your job opportunity list.

Step 4- Start Making Contacts

This is where you can start separating yourself from the competition. Most job seekers just won't make direct contact with potential employers. They are not comfortable applying for a job unless the potential employer has put up a big blinking sign (advertisement) that says, “We have a job opening, please send us your resume”.

Make direct contact with the employers and let them know about you, your qualifications and experience, and your interest in working for their organization!

Step 5- Be Persistent And Follow Up

Once you are making contacts and sending out resumes, you must be determined to follow up. Just sending out a resume and hoping for an interview won't get you hired faster than your competition. Have a consistent habit of following up with decision makers after a couple of days have passed. You are NOT being pushy by doing this, you are being persistent

Summary

As you can see, this is not rocket science, but it really does work. Tapping into the hidden job market will put you ahead of ninety-five percent of your job search competitors. Don't ever hesitate to make direct contact with employers. Employers like to use the hidden job market because it is much cheaper and faster to fill jobs this way.

Article Source : Hunting Rifles For Sale

About Author

Both Heather Eagar & Gary Hawkins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Heather Eagar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cover Letter, Interview Questions and Careers and Job Hunting. Recognized as a leading expert in the employment search industry, Heather Eagar is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Check out reviews of the top. Heather Eagar's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.

Gary Hawkins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting. . Gary Hawkins's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.