Think Outside the Box

In difficult financial times like these, job seekers might need to approach their search with different eyes.  Some of the biggest mistakes that job seekers make deal with limiting themselves in some manner or another.  These self-imposed limitations tend to prevent the chances that you have of acquiring employment, which is of paramount importance.  After all, having good work experience, even if it isn't directly in your field, is incredibly important.  Likewise, it is always easier to get another job when you already have one. As a result, here are some tips to avoid limiting yourself:

• Be willing to travel or commute a little.  You might not find a job in the York area, but perhaps one exists in the surrounding communities (Harrisburg, Hanover, Lancaster, Hunt Valley/Towson).  
• Look for jobs in related fields.  Maybe you're a legal student and can't find a job with a lawyer's office...but maybe there's a chance to break into the legal department of a large company.  Likewise, maybe you're a medical student but find work in a dental office, a chiropractor's office, or even a veterinarian office.  Think outside the box and decide for what related fields your degree and previous work experience might qualify you.
• If possible, settle for part-time employment.  You never know when a part-time job might lead to something full time.  At least you'll be building good work experience, perhaps even in your field.

All these tips are offered with the understanding that they may not be realistic for each one of you who is looking for a job.  I realize that not all of you have a car reliable enough to commute.  I realize that not all of you can financially afford to work part-time.  In any case, these suggestions might just be a patch to put on the bleeder of unemployment...at least until you can get a full time job in your field.   Just because you make one of these sacrifices doesn't mean that you'll need to stop looking for your dream job, either.  Any one of these suggestions, however, is probably preferable to not working at all.  Most importantly, it may be the sacrifice you need to make in the short term so that everything can get better in the long term.