Finding A Job | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Fresno, CA, USA Once a month a group of local women gets together to advance their careers during their lunch breaks. The Fresno Women's Network's sole purpose is to support women in business. But member Susan Noel is also hoping it will help her find a job, after recently being laid off. "You don't understand how close they are to you until you something happens and you need help, so it's been a tremendous help and I'm glad I came," said Noel.

When it comes to finding a job, local human resource specialist Sue McCombs says this kind of networking is critical. "85 to 90 percent of jobs come from the network, it's who you know and the resources they can access to get you in front of someone," said McCombs.

If you're looking for work, McCombs says let people know and reach out to as many organizations and individuals as you can. "Talking to individuals, I don't care who it is, whether it's the church or the dry cleaners, whether it's the professional groups…. sharing with others that you're in the transition is critical," said McCombs.

McCombs also has some advice to help you with your resume. To begin, consider you only have 12 seconds to make a first impression, so be sure to sell yourself, and quantify your accomplishments with numbers if possible. "The achievements of those numbers say, "I'm better than any other candidate'. They say 'I was able to increase sales by 300 percent in a downturn market, with an overpriced product'. That's like, 'Wow, I want to know more!" said McCombs.

Here's something else to think about as you try to find a job in a tough job market: Consider working two or three part time jobs that use different skill sets. This is especially critical if you're trying to enter a new field. "If you hold out for a full time job in an industry where you're maybe not qualified for because you don't' have a work history in, I don't know if that's going to happen," said McCombs.

While job searches can be stressful, McCombs wants to offer job seekers hope. "There's a position for every single person. It's out there!" said McCombs.

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