Whether you’ve just graduated from college and are looking for a job, or the economic downturn got the best of you, most of us will have to worry about unemployment at some point in time. Below is a quick guide for using LDS Employment Resource Services to help you get back on your feet by making a great impression in the job market.
The first step is to go to the LDS Employment Resource Services website at ldsjobs.org and create a free online account. This will allow you to upload a resume and find job listings based on your location. Employers will also be able to find your information.
Next, browse the website for job advice (which it is chock-full of), such as how to build a resume, dress for an interview, or network successfully. The website covers lots of information and is easy to use. You can even sign up to receive regular e-mails full of tips and success stories.
But what if you want some face-to-face counseling or resume-building help? Luckily, you can also set up a one-on-one advisement meeting at your local Employment Center with a career adviser. Employment Centers are located all over the world, generally in LDS meetinghouses. Full-time senior couple missionaries or part-time service missionaries are called specifically to help the unemployed find work. These meetings are especially successful because the career advisers can tailor the job search to you and your skills. They will also keep you updated on any career fairs, workshops, or meetings going on in your area.
With all of this information available, LDS Employment Resource Services maintains that there are a few things anyone can and should do when it comes to searching for a new job, whether you use their help or not:
• Build a network. Start with one person who knows and understands your career interests. Ask them to introduce you to others in your field of interest, and build a network from there. Success stories usually start from beginning a network.
• Create a power statement. In an interview, the employer wants to know why they should choose you over the other guy sitting in the lobby with his resume in hand. So tell them! A lot of people fear that they will sound like they are bragging if they talk about themselves too much in an interview, but that’s exactly what the prospective employer wants to hear. Create a strong statement about yourself, your accomplishments, and why you think you would be a great fit for the position. Don’t hold back during your interview.
• Find someone to look over your resume and cover letter. Make sure your materials are grammatically correct, and that you have included necessary information. Some employers base their judgments on resumes more than interviews, so you want yours to look as professional and informative as possible.
• Invest in an interview outfit. It’s called a “power suit” for a reason. If you saw two men or two women walking down the street, one dressed casually, the other in a sharp suit and shined shoes, who would get your positive attention first? We know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but in the case of a job interview, that book cover is the first thing the employer sees. Wear your new duds with confidence.
• Take a career test. LDS Employment encourages everyone without a job, regardless of whether you quit, were let go, or are a recent graduate to take a career test before starting the application process. The test helps you scope out your talents and abilities,and might even help you discover that your interests have changed, prompting you to look for completely different employment. You can take a career test by meeting with an LDS Employment Specialist.
No matter where you are on the job hunt, utilizing resources that are available to you will only increase your chances of finding long-term employment. With a little patience, a lot of effort, and with the help of LDS Employment Resource Services, finding a job will be that much easier.