Unemployment: How to Find the Perfect Job in Any Economy

For those who are unemployed in a job market where the statistics look bleak, it seems difficult to keep a positive outlook. The numbers seem to suck the confidence right out of those who are part of the statistics. And let's face it--when we feel desperate for a job, we become less and less confident in what we can do, and more and more convinced that we will be on the streets by the following month. Yet, we know that we cannot throw in the towel and give up. We know the economy and job market will eventually turn around. So, the first step on the path when looking for a job that is a right fit for you is to remember this: You must know yourself.

Recognizing Your Skills

When you are in the middle of a job search and battling stiff competition as you are in today's market, it is imperative for you to have defined the skills, abilities and values you possess. These are not always easy to define, because it is easier to fall into the trap of limiting oneself.

You may not even be certain of what you CAN do, lacking a certain level of confidence in your ability to make the connection from one industry to another. Then comes the struggle of how to communicate your transferable skills.

When you understand what skills you possess, and those you feel good about using, then you can start looking for places of employment where you will utilize what you can do for yourself and others in a way that feels right, and in a place where you will find joy. Just because it is a "job" or "work" does NOT mean you need to be miserable doing it!

Answering the question, "Who am I?" is not something that you can likely do overnight. It requires patience, introspection, and a way to organize your thoughts.

Some find it easier to write it in a notebook or journal, complete with detailed sections. Others prefer a computer. Figuring out what your full range of skills can seem to be a daunting process, so some find it helpful to categorize them. Whichever methods that you prefer, it is important to record your thoughts and ideas so that you don't have to try to rely on your memory later.

Functional skills

Functional skills are skills you use everyday. They are things you may have learned at a very young age. You may do them without thinking about them. They may seem quite simple, but do not trivialize the value they hold for you!

Start by making a list of your functional skills. Examples of functional skills: Good with numbers; pitching a tent; always on-time; balancing a checkbook; remembering lists of numbers; cooking a meal by pulling a few ingredients together; memorizing monologues; riding a skateboard; etc.

As you create your list, try not to place judgment on yourself or the skill. List everything. Think of intellectual skills, and physical skills. Look back at your schooling, after-school jobs, volunteer work, and paid work. Reflect on your childhood, your adolescence, young adulthood, and beyond.

Acquired Skills

Acquired skills are those technical skills you have learned along the way-those you learned in school or from on-the-job training. These are the skills that are more specific to the job--what you can do and have done, past and present.

As you begin listing your acquired skills, remember that you may have become competent at a particular skill through recreational or volunteer experiences. Reflect on all your experiences, paid and unpaid and remember that even if you have not been paid to learn them, doesn't make them less valuable! Examples of your acquired skills: Public speaking; conducting interviews; developing spreadsheets; flying a plane; writing haiku; delivering training workshops; technical knowledge of financial operations; researching using Internet and library resources; transcription of medical recordings to typed format; etc.

As with your basic skills, you may have forgotten that you know how to do something. These lists are a work in progress! Keep adding to them as you remember something else!

Soft Skills

Soft skills refer to communication, personality traits, social skills, friendliness, etc. They are the emotional skills which may be more important in some jobs where technical skills are not as necessary. Even in a job where you might need a high degree of technical proficiency, these soft skills are certainly an important complement to what you bring to the company with your technical, or hard, skills.

Sometimes messages are given in childhood or in work situations that certain personality traits possessed are not acceptable. Do not accept this as truth! All these traits are acceptable and good, as long as the right job and work situation is found where these traits can be an asset to the company, and where you become productive and enjoy your work!

For example, someone who is meticulous about grammar, punctuation and spelling could be seen as "overly picky" or a "know-it-all" in some circumstances; put this person in an editing or proofreading position, or in a company where correspondence is a mainstay of the business, then this is a "must-have" requirement! Someone who is extremely reserved in a front-office, customer service position might be viewed as rude or unhelpful. This same person may thrive in a back-office position working as a data-entry assistant. But can you imagine what that same job might do to someone who has been told all of her life that she "talks too much"? This is the person you might want on the sales team!

This applies to the culture of a company or department, as well. If you are able to tolerate messiness or chaos, or perhaps you thrive on last-minute deadlines, then you may be more inclined to work with a company which needs your ability to adjust and be flexible, and appreciative of your tolerance of your coworkers.

These are the personality skills that, when you have been true to your needs as you understand who you are and where you belong, will give you the edge for recognition, promotions, etc. This is also when you will find that you will be more comfortable around your coworkers and your bosses, and they appreciate you more.

As you are compiling this list, you may find it difficult to describe yourself, so start by thinking what you might say about someone else; then, make a list about yourself. Consider how you have been complimented in the past, what others have said about you, how your colleagues might describe you, and what qualities you like in other people that you possess, as well. Examples of soft skills: Persistent; creative; detail-oriented; articulate; diplomatic; intuitive; sincere; overachieving; tolerant of last-minute deadlines.

Keep Brainstorming!

You may feel that you are listing too many skills, but you have many more than you think you do! Continue to add to your lists. Start new lists. This is a way for you to brainstorm in other directions.

Think about your hobbies, achievements, things that call to you, wishes, talents, interests. What skills are required to do these things? Suppose you remember spending long weekends building intricate cities with building block pieces? Planning, attention to detail, precision and patience can all be skills you can sell to a potential employer. "Having a love of theatre/being a season ticket holder" could lead you to employment at a performing arts center.

Don't Fret!

Worrying about whether or not you have put a skill on the "proper" list does not serve you well. This exercise is to open your mind up to see what you have to offer potential employers. If you are looking to get involved in consulting, this is what you'll offer a future client. This is a way for you to begin to see beyond any limits you may have inadvertently set for yourself. You will have a chance to prioritize later. The more you see that you can do, the better you will feel about what you have to offer others!

But for now, keep listing and discovering!