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Are You Job Ready?
Erin Voirol
Most people recognize the moment that they need to look for a job. They realize they have too much time on their hands, or that their bank account balance is quickly descending to new lows. They see that the dust has settled from their last military move, or they are watching as the days between them and ETS dwindle.
At this moment, they may be ready to begin their job search; however, they may or may not be “job ready.”
Does this term sound familiar? If asked, would you say that you are “job ready”?
If your instinct is to say that “job ready” means that you are ready to be hired, you are not alone. However, the “job ready” that I’m talking about doesn’t mean that you are ready for your bank account and your day-to-day life to be different (though that may be the case). Instead, the “job ready” that I’m talking about is the kind of ready that refers to how you pursue the job search process.
If you are applying for jobs, but not getting called for interviews, the problem may be that you aren’t “job ready.” You are job ready if...
You have a clearly identified job goal. Without a job goal, applicants tend to canvas the internet with their resumes. This process tends to result in a lot of wasted energy and few job offers. A clearly identified job goal allows the applicant to focus their efforts to find jobs that are right for them.
You have researched the industry and location, and understand the requirements for the jobs that meet your goal. Applicants who know what fields they may fit in andwho recognize the local market can market themselves more effectively, and highlight how they fit the needs of a company. They also can anticipate some of the issues they may face in a given market, and tend to waste less energy in the process.
You have identified the educational requirements of the job, including licenses, certificates, and degrees, and have obtained or are working on obtaining them. I may want to be a veterinarian, but if I don’t have the degrees, license and experience to be one, no one will hire me. It simply doesn’t matter how many applications I submit; I am not qualified for the position. This problem can plague Veterans and transitioning