Job search or just give up...advice?

[Trek420]

Mass resume sending now? or wait until after my trip?

I've learned not to mass send resumes. Each one has to be lovingly individually hand crafted like the tiny literary gem it is

There's no harm sending a resume or two or 2,000. Just don't leave them on the office fax machine. And be prepared to explain why you're leaving a current job (in other words don't diss your current employer. HR people talk and go on the same club rides).

A sad fact especially with so many great hard working folks out of a job now through no fault of their own is that hiring decision-makers want people who are employed. Some ads even say right up front that's a requirement.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/1..._n_756136.html

The best time to look for a new job is while you still have a job. So look now, and enjoy your vacation.

[malkin]

Thanks everyone.
You are really the best.

There's a job in Las Vegas that I'm working up my resume for. Brewer thought moving to Vegas would be grand, so I'll give that one a shot.

I'm rehearsing my official reasons for leaving...mental health agency isn't really a good fit for speech-language pathologist, because of medicaid billing conflict between mental health and medical services. Anyone local will also know that the management of the umbrella organization is in a bit of a tizzy regarding a large chunk of county funding, so my reasons for leaving can all sound completely legitimate.

[KnottedYet]

I'm rehearsing my official reasons for leaving...mental health agency isn't really a good fit for speech-language pathologist, because of medicaid billing conflict between mental health and medical services. Anyone local will also know that the management of the umbrella organization is in a bit of a tizzy regarding a large chunk of county funding, so my reasons for leaving can all sound completely legitimate.

Oh, man, anyone you'd want to work for would COMPLETELY understand that one!

I've had several patients in a bind over the medicaid and medicare billing stuff. An SLP at a mental health agency is a clear case of mis-placement. Go for it, you will find something quickly with your skills.

[shootingstar]

A sad fact especially with so many great hard working folks out of a job now through no fault of their own is that hiring decision-makers want people who are employed. Some ads even say right up front that's a requirement.

Terrible, if that's sometimes the semi-conscious thinking of hiring folks to prefer currently employed folks.

All more the reason, to pick up an additional new skill while job-hunting, etc.

[NbyNW]

I'm also not convinced as to the effectiveness of a mass resume mailing, especially if you have built up some specialized skills and experiences. You want to target potential places where you might LIKE to work, especially in light of the reasons given for wanting to move on.

Informational interviews might be really helpful to you in these early stages, they help grow your network and they are good practice for when you are interviewing for an actual opening.