Getting job search advice is critical in landing the right position.
Getting useful job search advice is frequently frustrating. Friends and relatives want to help you but, as I’ve written elsewhere on ProCareerSearch, finding mentors and using social media is critical.
Choosing satisfying jobs and careers is also important. See “Do What You Like to Do.”
One of my relatives in the Midwest emailed me today about finding work in the telecommunications industry. Here’s his email:
Hi, Brian,
Do you have any experience or knowledge of how to get a higher starting wage selling wireless phones and services? I have been trying to find an IT Support position and the market has still not opened enough for me to get back in.
Because of that I’m looking to get anything, which is better than nothing. I have a second interview this afternoon with a company and in my first interview he said the position paid $8/hour plus commission. Very low for my needs.
Do you think I can negotiate a higher starting wage? I worked in retail from 1979-1990 at [large retailer] but not commission sales. I also worked in IT supporting servers, workstations, etc.
Do you have any job search advice? Last night I was a bit stressed about working for so little, that I was half tempted to cancel the interview. But, I think that since it is part time, it would still allow me to keep looking and generate cash.
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Dear Don:
Sorry to hear about your situation, but you’re not alone. Getting useful job search advice is challenging.
Job Search Advice Suggestions:
Unless your savings or unemployment payments can keep you going during your job search, any income is better than none. Working for [a good company] part time is also great because you can leverage that position to get a job or career you really want.
You might also explore other jobs at that company. With your IT knowledge, someone might consider you for a sales or a corporate sales support position.
Don’t limit yourself to the wireless carriers. Mobile and wireless companies are springing up all over the country. (See my MobileBeyond blog posts and podcasts on wireless health.)
If you’re not a member of LinkedIn, join for free and search for mobile, wireless, telecommunications & IT groups. Once you’re accepted as a group member, you can directly message anyone in the group.
To get started, start interacting in the discussions. Ask and answer questions without mentioning that you’re looking for a job. Be humble but show your brilliance. As you communicate with other LinkedIn members, they’ll give you useful job search advice.
Also search for mobile, wireless and telecommunications companies using LinkedIn’s search box. Identify companies of interest, visit their websites, identify decision-makers and contact them by phone, email or snail mail. Describe what you can do for them. (See my “16 Job Steps” post.)
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Helping people in tight times, whether you employed or job hunting, is important. In fact, giving useful job search advice to others will make you feel great while you’re job hunting.
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