Let Your Fingers Do The Walking
I had the bright idea of using the local yellow pages to find companies where I’d like to work. I’ve lived in this area only 4 years and worked from home during that time. So, my local contacts and knowledge of the area have been limited. What better way to get to know what’s out there than the yellow pages, right?
I started at the beginning, with the letter A, of course. The very first category was Abortion Alternatives. Not quite my cup of tea. Scanning the next few pages came up with lots of accountants and attorneys. I have no accounting or legal background, but do I really need that to answer phones, file, keep a schedule and other assorted administrative assistant duties? So, I dog-eared those pages since there were too many to bother writing on my handy dandy legal pad. I skipped anything automotive. I have no real car knowledge and zero desire to sell or fix them. On second thought, car dealers and large repair shops do need office support. Okay, going back to dog-ear those pages too.
Now I have about 30 pages dog-eared and I haven’t even started the B’s. Sigh.
Maybe this wasn’t such a hot idea after all. I mean, really, what’s my next step? Do I call each of these businesses and ask if they currently have a need for office support services? Do I mass mail my resume to them all? Do I spend the next 3 weeks personally visiting each place of business and still only getting through the A’s?
Sometimes a good idea is just that. A good idea. It should stay in the idea phase because putting it into practice is not practical.
Have any of you used the yellow pages to target your job search? I can see where it might work if you knew the type of business where you wanted to work. But what if you don’t? What if your skillset can apply to multiple industries? I’d really love to know your thoughts and experiences on this. Don’t be shy. Share!
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February 13, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Responding to the above first in a broad sense. It is generally acknowledged that the biggest challenge in vocational process isn’t getting what you want, but “knowing” what you want in the first place. There are great many work seekers who respond to the question “What do you want to do for a living” with “Oh, anything”. The truth is , of course, that everyone has interests and preferences. “Any job will do” is not an acceptable response to such an important question.
We all have preferences with regard to where we work and what we do. Feeling that “anything” is fine reflects a lack of knowledge about choices and lack of awareness as to our needs and interest, likes and dislikes.
To respond with more precision, the Yellow Pages is not by necessity the place to start if you lack focus or direction as to career option. The yellow pages serve as a job search tool just like the internet and newspapers which do not make career determination for you.
Help abound with agencies or group that assist individuals with career choices. The PEI Council of People with Disability is an excellent example.
If you have numerous skillset or transferable skills as the case may be, you then need to prioritize your option. Jumping form one to another, and hoping that something clicks or throwing your resume around to whoever cares to look at it, shows you as erratic. At least for your own sake, you need some composure as this pursuit goes on.
If you can get your priority in place, then you can follow that up with few calls. That is being pro-active in your job search. It would not hurt to seek for opportunity to seat face to face to further discuss your skills with the would-be-employer.
If you walk inside a superstore for example, looking to pick up just gallon of milk. The common sense thing is to go to the section where milk are stacked and take the brand you want than to start off going through the bread, meat, fish section for example. Suffice it to say you do not need to scan through all the company listing by alphabet
Office Support Services or what could be called Administrative Assistance, sounds really broad. But once again, I would echo what have been said earlier. Know what your priorities are and let you preferences guide you in making that determination.
February 13, 2009 at 7:34 pm
You make some great points, Stan.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I have the luxury of finding my preferences and letting them guide me. I’m 52 years old with a family and bills. I can’t really afford to be too picky right now. Even if I could, I honestly don’t know where I’d like to work. I’ve worked in the medical field for most of my adult life. (Pharmacy tech, home health aide, medical assistant, receptionist, and medical transcription.) I’ve been thinking that I’d like to try a different field but I really don’t know what and I’m old and desperate for work. As long as I’m paid fairly, have pleasant people to work with, and can make use of my abilities and do a great job, I’ll be happy.
Now that I’ve made excuses for not following your advice, what would you suggest? How would someone like me go about finding out what their preferences are? How does one find out what industry is best for them? I’ve tried aptitude tests, personality tests, etc. and they really haven’t been helpful at all.
I do think you made some great points and I wish I could make use of them. I guess I just don’t know where to start.
February 13, 2009 at 7:48 pm
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