When employers fail in their hiring of women and people of color, especially in a tough economy, there’s no need to sit at home depressed, sad, or beating yourself up. In fact, being out of work can be extremely liberating and can inspire new ways for you to make money instantly–as opposed to depleting your savings in hopes of institutional racism ending and someone just giving you a job. If you follow any or all of the following tips, chances are that you’ll significantly increase your chances of paying yourself, despite the fact that nobody thinks there’s money to pay these days!
1) Create a simple business idea – e.g. catering foods for your neighbors, for your girlfriends’ parties, or for small business gatherings. Ensure you have the right licenses and registrations for any small business idea you undertake. Staying in business will keep your resume fresh and active, while you look for work elsewhere. Or, if your business succeeds, why in the world would want it to end? Keep going! Employ yourself.
2) Schedule coffee with people who could potentially hire you, e.g. business executives who may have noticed your flair for PowerPoint presentations, or that chief engineer who complimented your awesome work ethic. In order to save money and time, schedule the coffee meetings on the same day at lovely, inexpensive coffee shops in which you can just have a $2 tea and a cookie, as well as 30 minutes to sell yourself. After some solid coffee meetings, someone will be calling you.
3) Work part-time at a firm that’s hiring. Even if the firm you’re eyeing doesn’t have any full-time openings at the moment, chances are they’ll eventually need what you’re doing for them part-time on a full-time basis. Working for someone part-time is better than nothing, so show up to your part-time job: on time, with a positive attitude and outdo yourself so that the powers that be will need you.
4) Consult. Everybody has an expertise. Were you an H.R. employee at one time, or the employee in charge of processing benefits, or the mailman or mailwoman in charge? Think about what you can do better than most people, and offer yourself as a consultant to companies, firms, and any (paying) outlets that need you. By doing so, you’ll be able to not only pay your bills for the time being, you’ll also be watched as a potential hire.
5) Call up your college professors. Remember Drs. Smith, Adam & Jones whose classes showered your report card with As? Call them and let them know that you’re offering your expertise as an assistant to them or anyone else they may know. Figure out where you excel and inquire whether anyone they know could use some help in those areas for a few bucks.
6) Watch only business, economics & jobs-related news for a while. What’s the quickest way to become savvy about a topic? Study it intensely, of course! By turning off your beloved ‘Cosby Show’ for a while, and focusing only on personal finance news, job news, and tips offered by such stations as CNN and CNBC, you’ll be better positioned to find a job a bit more quickly than those who are marinating in front of sitcoms all day.
7) Reach out to your alumni network. If you’re not already part of your local chapter, join and attend its events. Alumni are usually apt to encouraging or referring fellow alum for job openings.
8) Volunteer with nonprofits and charities related to your field. Doing so allows you to potentially meet employers, keep abreast of changes in your industry and keep active.
Examples: Hospital volunteering, mentoring children, or running a class at your local YMCA.
9) Every month or so, keep your contacts updated on what you’re doing and ask about potential openings. The key to this tip is that you stay active in your field, even without a full-time job.
10) Schedule an informational session with the companies that grab your interest. Even if the company has a hiring freeze or no openings, many still have periodic informationals for potential employees. Often these meetings are one-on-one conversations that allow you to questions, convey your qualifications and show sincere interest in a position.
11) Don’t let Facebook and LinkedIn be your only online presence. Many in the workforce are creating sites that list their work experience and showcase their skills. Especially for those in the art or media industries, uploading clips, designs or photos of your work is a great visual representation of your talents. Shop your online brand far and wide, and soon, someone will reach out to you. Just make sure your online brand isn’t cheesy. Have a professional design the site that you want to represent you. (Elance.com is a great resource for hiring web designers that can do a great job without breaking the bank)!
12) Research local networking events and job fairs in your field and attend, resume totting. Because networking events are created for those in need of a job or in need of an employee, it’s the perfect setting to be a tad aggressive about approaching potential employers.
