Spring Cleaning and Remodeling for Your Job Search

Having just journeyed the rocky and turbulent path called seeking employment, I have learned a great deal, both about myself and about the civilization in which we find ourselves. We have all heard the platitudes regarding the need to "think outside the box" with respect to the new methods to be employed in job searches. And as we see the statistics about the numbers of resumes submitted for each job application on the job boards, we are immediately struck by the apparent futility and enormity of it all.

But I have emerged with some unexpected wisdom. In those cases where we have been in the employment market since all of the old traditional methods were put in place, the very concept of using the internet to its maximum capability has been something of a revelation. There has never been a secret about the need to use the web for applying to the jobs and occasionally, it works.

Before that, however, it may be the best idea to redesign yourself, your objectives and your history in order to maximize the availability of your new resources. Dust off your brain, clean out the closets of your experience and call in your construction techniques.

If you've been working as an administrative assistant in an office all your career, consider the possibilities of working in retail, human services or a museum. Why? Because your excellent administrative skills are transferable to any business or entity you can name, not merely the traditional office setting.

In the event that you can make sense out of this and widen your possibilities, do your research. Think long and hard about what you want to be when you grow up (if you in fact want to grow up, it's not a prerequisite for this exercise) or remember what you always wanted to do. Yes, it's certain that if you want to become a thoracic surgeon and you're an accountant, you're committing yourself to an involved (and costly) remodel.

Assuming that your goal is not quite as lofty, see what organizations are in your area that work with the sector or product or concept with which you're enamored. Check their website for the careers section and identify what they are seeking. Your resume may already be suitable for the position but it will be your letter of introduction that will make the difference. Identify who the decision maker is for the department for which you want to work. This is a relatively simple process through the social networking sites or by asking people you know.

Then write your letter to that person, explaining why you are the ideal candidate. Don't discuss your deficiencies or liabilities '" discuss your skills, your excellent qualities and most importantly, be very specific about what you can add to the company. Don't get sucked into the unfortunate habit of using buzz words '" leadership, team player, project management, creative thinker, strategizing, '" but speak explicitly about your passions. If you love helping people, say so. If you enjoy reorganizing offices for the sake of bringing order to chaos, say that too.

You may need to take a few courses, (the community colleges or online entities are excellent for this) in the event that the job requires skills that you don't possess. In many cases, an employer will be impressed by your initiative and the advantage of your not needing to unlearn bad habits intrinsic to some of those skills.

No matter what your spring (or summer or fall or winter) remodeling project includes, the sooner you begin, the better your opportunities for success. First quarter is always the best time to find work '" employers have new budgets, the work load is frequently heaviest and hiring authorities often need to use money that is designated for adding staff or they will lose it.

Whatever path you choose to take toward the balance of your professional career, be prepared for the fact that changing yourself to adapt to the needs in the job market will be much more successful than utilizing older (and perhaps obsolete) methods to repeat what you have already done.