Doing what it takes

Aug. 7, 2008 marked the beginning of my journey to find enough money to live while I hunted for my next career placement.

First thing I did was procrastinate on filing for unemployment. I took three weeks to file. Don't wait. My failure to file right away cost me nearly a month's worth of benefits. I also ended up feeling like an idiot because I did something wrong. I have a master's degree and I can't file for unemployment?

Don't feel badly about filing. You have paid into the system. Don't feel guilty about collecting what is yours to collect. The Texas Workforce probably works similarly to programs in most states. They'll tell you how many work contacts you need to make in a week. Included in those contacts is going to networking meetings and to job fairs.

Do both.

You'll find moral support and people who will know contacts in firms where you are hoping to find work. I joined one networking group called Career Connection and had help with my resume, my 30-second commercial , two-minute (elevator) introduction and with the all-important interview. When you go to a job fair, dress for the position you want. You'll hear stories about a man showing up in a suit for a job fair for the trucking industry. Being the only one there dressed for success made him stand out — and that landed him a management position.

Be brazen. Be bold. Call people at places where you'd like to work and ask if they would give you an informational interview. It is just what it sounds like — you're finding out about the industry, the company with which you are doing an interview and making an impression. Ask what the biggest headaches are for management. Ask what they would like in the perfect employee. You've got nuggets of information that you can use to tweak your resume and help with the cover letter.

If you have a company you'd like to target, do the on-line application they want but if possible, find out who the hiring authority is and try to hand carry in an application and resume. Ask for five minutes of his or her time and give your two-minute introduction and ask if there is an opportunity for you to visit with them. You've made an impression as a go-getter and only take that five minutes unless they ask you to stay and visit for a longer period of time. NO MATTER WHAT, send a hand-written thank you to the person immediately. That first impression is so important.

Next: Living while your between jobs