Opening new doors for the job hunt

Q: I'm looking for work as a journalist, professional blogger or live blogger. I do two things to look for work. I hunt for part-time positions of 20 to 24 hours per week and look for freelance articles for magazines. There aren't many part-time positions, but I submit to the ones for which I fit. I also send out between five and ten resumes per week. Online I use a major jobs site, a non-profit jobs site in my state, LinkedIn and Facebook. I also follow up on any other leads people send me. Why am I not finding anything?

A: Your job hunt appears focused but small, limited by occupation, geographical location and few vehicles. What would inspire you to expand it?

Calculate the number of hours per week you spend job hunting. Push back from your computer to bring live people into your search, not just leads emailed to you. While you might not find a job directly that way, human contact will prompt ideas and make you less withdrawn.

What non-journalistic positions use writers, such as grantwriting, marketing and sales support? Public relations is glutted but still worth a look. Open doors.

‘UNSPOKEN'

Q: I'm 60. The hurdle I face, age discrimination, is unseen because it's unspoken. I never expected that hurdle, never thought of it. In fact, I don't consider myself old and therefore worthless. But eventually you realize it's probably the biggest problem you face in the job search.

A: You make me think of one of my graduate school professors, now in his 80s, who can still run circles around the rest of us. The reason he doesn't seem old is that his attitude is upbeat and positive and he's still extremely productive.

The barrier you face is probably there, but it isn't the only one. If this were a better market, you could probably hunt for other baby boomers to hire you. People are working well into their 70s and beyond these days. You have to inspire them to think that you can (and do).

Look at every aspect of your job search - your written materials, telephone voice and interview skills. Infuse each part with energy. Higher education and health care are the industries least likely to discriminate. Could you find work in either of them?

You don't feel old. Why not become an entrepreneur?

(Dr. Mildred Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2011 Passage Media. The opinions are solely those of the writer.)