Marvin Walberg

Getting Hired, the weekly job search advice newspaper column, is written by Marvin Walberg and published nationally in newspapers and websites by The Scripps Howard News Service. Getting Hired has been in publication since 1991. For more information, contact Scripps Howard News Service, Washington, DC.

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“Getting Hired”

Marvin Walberg

mwalberg@bellsouth.net

(205) 902-0752

We’ll call him “Joe Blough”, and he is a real person, about 23 years old and 1-year out of college with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He is working as a waiter in a moderately priced restaurant, but has not been able to secure a position in his field.

When asked what he has done to find an engineering job, he says the following:

• “I’ve applied at several local companies, but there are no jobs – no interviews.”

• “I’ve posted my resume online, but it’s like competing with the world!”

• “I’ve networked with family and close friends.”

• “I check with the career placement office at my college, but it’s been over a year and they don’t have any leads.

• “I keep an eye out for openings in the local newspaper, but as I said, no jobs.”

There is no question that the economy is weak, but I don’t buy the talking heads statement that “there are no jobs”. I believe that there are always jobs for talented people who know how to make contacts and sell their skills and abilities. There may not be “openings” at companies, but if you’re good enough and talk to the right people, “jobs” can all of a sudden become available. It’s all about money, and if you can show that you can help a company be more profitable than it is, “jobs” appear!

So, “Joseph”, what else can you do?

• Change your attitude – believe in yourself.

• Don’t limit your networking to family and close friends. Network with everyone you can, and include new contacts daily.

• Target companies that you know need your skills, and then do your homework. If you can find a way to network within the company, try to get names of people who can influence hiring decisions – then make contact and sell yourself.

• Get inexpensive business cards that simply present your name, “BS in Mechanical Engineering”, your email address and cell phone number. Then, very carefully, use them to network with patrons at your restaurant, and anyone else you meet along the way.

• Keep records of network contacts and stay in touch.

• Don’t ever give up – only you can make it happen!

Do what others fail to do!

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Marvin Walberg is a job search coach in Birmingham, Alabama. For contact information, visit www.marvin-walberg.com.

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