With women comprising nearly half of the workforce, the face of the typical job hunter has changed, demanding new approaches to an old problem.
Strategies for women must take into account their multiple roles as primary caregivers and breadwinners, yet be aggressive enough to give them a fair shot in the tough job market.
The ”Women`s Job Search Handbook,” by career consultants Gerri Bloomberg and Margaret Holden (Williamson, $12.95), offers employment-seeking tips tailored to women and an approach that makes a painful process more productive.
A job search provides a good opportunity to ”gather yourself together, look at yourself, understand something about what you`re like, how you interact in the work place,” says Bloomberg, who works with Holden in Burlington, Vt. Self-analysis will prepare women better to handle the many elements of a successful hunt and satisfying career, the book says.
The handbook urges women to examine issues affecting their work lives that can blur the focus of a job search if not addressed before the interview process. These include attitude toward having power, being a team player and competing. On the personal side, a woman benefits from addressing guilt over child care or fear of failure, the book says.
The authors say key elements of the job search include networking and writing a resume that does justice to their often-varied work histories: ”A standard resume is designed to represent a traditional male career path. … There is no room for the rich patterns of a woman`s life, which may have encompassed many activities, lateral moves, time out of the formal job market, challenging volunteer assignments and travel.”
As an alternative to the standard chronological resume, the authors suggest a functional format that organizes information by skills, with a brief chronological listing of job history.
Articulating skills and experience in written form can pave the way to a better interview, providing an opportunity to formulate answers to personal questions that may be asked by interviewers concerned about commitment to the job.
Women returning to the work force, especially those who left a position to work for themselves or help a husband`s business, must ”demonstrate they are serious about going to work,” says Kevin J. Murphy, author of ”An Executive`s Guide to Successful Job Hunting in Today`s Tough Market” (Bantam, $10).
”A lot of people want to show off their experience or that they helped their husband,” he says. ”The employer won`t say it, but he will be thinking, `Will she work weekends? Will she work nights?` ”
By law, an interviewer cannot ask questions about marital status, children, child care, age, religion, national origin and disabilities, Bloomberg and Holden note.
The reality is that they are asked, and women must respond in a way that is comfortable to them and satisfies the interviewer, says Pat Cariola, director of career development for Women Employed, a non-profit support organization.
”You have to have an answer,” Cariola says. ”They may zero in on a gap, and you have to be ready to talk about it. … If (the reason for the gap) was to have children, they may ask, `Will you have more?”`
Holden believes employers worth working for will understand the value of an eclectic background and look for ”strong people who can do the job.”
If asked about child care, she suggests an appropriate answer would be,
”My job is important to me, and I can fulfill the responsibilities. My day care is set up so I can do this.”
A more direct answer in the handbook: ”I don`t believe that question is relevant to my ability to do the job.”
Ultimately, a good interview will depend on presentation and first impressions as much as what you say, both books say.
Beyond these hurdles, Cariola says a woman`s most significant obstacle to job-search success may be internal.
”The hardest thing I`m seeing is women who are laid off blaming themselves … asking `Why me?` And not really selling themselves in the interview. I see women with 20 years` experience in our workshops having a difficult time thinking of something they`ve accomplished.”
LIFELINES
Leadership development
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women`s Clubs offers classes in leadership skills and public speaking as well as networking opportunities. For details about the group nearest you, call Diane Hlavin at 708-806-6883.
Job aid
Women Employed offers a job-hunting and networking conference, ”Choosing a Career Path: The Tools for Success,” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Cost: $40 for nonmembers; $30 for members. For registration information: 312-782-3902.
Career planning
Northwestern University`s Women`s Center provides job-related information, including referrals for career counselors, agencies and support organizations. For information, call 708-491-7360.
Resume writing
The Discovery Center offers one-day courses on job hunting, including
”Dynamic Resumes” (Sept. 8). Cost: $49.95. Register by phone at 312-348-8120 or in person at the Discovery Center, 2940 N. Lincoln Ave.
Books to read
”The Damn Good Resume Guide,” by Yana Parker, (Ten Speed Press, $6.95); ”Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow,” by Marsha Sinetar, (Dell, $8.95).
