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Saturday, March 28th 2026

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Keeping your focus

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Local employment experts say that no matter how long someone has been out of work, the search for employment often is the same — regardless of skill level.

?I don?t think there?s any distinction between high-skilled job seekers and those with lower skills,? said Ron Swift, president of Swift Staffing, an employment-services firm with offices in Catonsville and Columbia. ?We?re sharing the same things with people in both groups.?

However, the general difference is how job seekers search for opportunities, said Ellen Burke, senior vice president and general manager of the local office of Lee Hecht Harrison, the career placement firm based in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., with an office in Columbia.

?People at the mid- and senior levels are participating in the hidden job market,? Burke said, referring to the opportunities that are not listed in the want ads. ?Frankly, few of our high-tech people who?ve gotten jobs don?t get them from the Internet. Usually, they?re filled through a networking contact.?

If such workers are still looking after six months, ?most of their networking leads are dry,? Burke said. ?All of a sudden, they need to start all over. You have to keep the names coming in ? join an association or do volunteer work.?

The federal governmentprovides the best opportunities for job seekers at this level, Burke said.

?That?s one of the organizations that we know is hiring,? she said. ?You may have to broaden your expectations — there may not be a lot of opportunities in Baltimore, but in D.C. or Northern Virginia, there are a lot of opportunities.?

Regardless of skills, all job seekers need a resume, Swift said, noting that employers seeking warehouse workers have requested resumes from their candidates.

?The job market is changing,? he said. ?Employers want to see what people have done in the past. The old days when the resume was for upper-level people are long gone.?

They also need a positive attitude. ?Sometimes, attitude is more important than skills,? Swift said. ?Nobody wants to work with a prima donna.?

Here are some suggestions for successful job hunting:

General tips:

  • Create a professional resume. Include information that gives a potential employer a clear indication of your job history and work skills. Most positions today require that you have a resume.
  • Become comfortable using the Internet. Research potential employers and apply online.
  • Seek additional training. Further developing your knowledge can bridge the gap into a new field or industry. Specific skills might be required for certain jobs. Employers are interested in hiring people who want to learn.
  • Prepare a list of special skills or qualities. Consider skills that will set you apart from other applicants. Be prepared to talk about these in an interview.
  • Confidence is important. When an interviewer greets you, shake hands and thank the person meeting with you. Do this again at the end of the interview.
  • Stay positive. Your attitude will help you project the right image and overcome any shortcomings in your skills.

    For entry-level job seekers:

  • Utilize job-development organizations. These nonprofit groups work with employers to find opportunities and place people in jobs. They include the
    Mayor?s Office of Employment Development, the Catholic Charities Workforce Development Program, GenesisJobs Inc. and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Inc.

  • Carry along work-history information. Include complete information on prior employers, addresses, supervisors and telephone numbers to be able to complete an entire job application.
  • Follow all instructions to complete the application.
  • Practice interviewing. Well-polished interview skills will give you a distinct advantage. Prepare responses to typical interview questions in advance so that your interview will flow more smoothly. Practice interviewing with a friend; reverse the interviewer and interviewee roles. When you play the role of employer, ask what would you look for in a potential employee.

    For higher-skilled job seekers:

  • Readjust your marketing plan. If it isn’t working after six months, it
    needs to be re-evaluated. Consider broadening geographic parameters or lowering salary requirements.

  • Consider jobs with the federal government. The government is hiring, particularly in the technology sector, procurement and direct customer services. It could offer new opportunities down the road.
  • Keep your network alive. Networking remains the most successful method
    for obtaining a new position. Join associations affiliated with your field to expand your network; give presentations to organizations related to your field; revisit your list of contacts, find new reasons to contact them; volunteer for service work.

  • Consider temporary assignments and staffing-services firms. These outlets may lead to full-time employment opportunities.

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