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On the Hunt Finding a job in a difficult job market

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Though the job market has gradually begun to recover, many men and women are still out of work. In June of 2011, the unemployment rate in the United States was still hovering around 9 percent nationally, while Statistics Canada reported that the Canadian unemployment rate was roughly 7.4 percent during that same period.

Each of those figures illustrates that many North Americans are out of work. But the 

unemployment epidemic is not exclusive to the U.S. and Canada. Across the pond in England, for instance, the Office for National Statistics reports that nearly 2.5 million of the country's residents were out of work, a figure that translates to roughly 7.7 percent of the country.

With such staggering unemployment figures, finding a job can seem like scaling Mt. Everest. But there are steps job seekers can take to ensure their job search is more smooth than stressful.

* Decide what you're looking for. Job seekers who begin a job just hoping to land a job are less likely to find a position they will love and stick with. While it's understandable to accept a job offer in the current economic climate even if it isn't a dream job, men and women who can afford to wait out their job search should exercise patience instead of simply accepting the first offer to come along.

Before beginning a search, determine exactly what you want to do. Avoid being vague and be as specific as possible when discussing your goals with friends or a professional headhunter. The more vague you are, the more likely you are to wade through thousands of listings, none of which might be what you're truly looking for. The goal is to find legitimate leads you want to follow up on, not hundreds of leads that will waste your time.

* Target specific companies. Just as your career goals should be specific, so should the companies you're targeting. Job seekers can make use of company Web sites to learn about particular companies within their targeted industry. If certain companies are more appealing than others, target those that appear to be the best fit.

Once this background research has been completed, consult men and women within your professional network to see if they can offer any input into the companies that most appeal to you. This can help confirm or deny your first impression of the company, and might even yield a name you can contact to discuss potential job openings.

* Build your network. Even if you are currently unemployed you can still build your professional network. While you might not have daily contact with individuals in your industry, you can work with professional organizations to build your network while you're out of work. Professional organizations often offer seminars that serve as valuable opportunities to stay in touch with the industry and meet others who are currently working in the industry or looking to get back in.

Another way to build a network is to reconnect with your school's alumni network. Such networks are typically extensive and can be a great place to start your job search.

* Volunteer. While looking for a job, consider offering your time free of charge, particularly if you're looking to change careers. Volunteering your time is a great way to get your foot in the door and can provide valuable insight as to what the industry is really like. While this might seem like a long shot, many companies today are understaffed and might welcome you with open arms. Keep in mind a successful volunteer relationship is beneficial to both parties, so don't be reticent to propose this idea to companies you are interested in working for. CB11A321