Jan 8, 2009 6:57 pm US/Eastern
What's Worrying You: How Do I Find Jobs Online?
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
CBS 2 HD News has been asking viewers which elements of the financial crisis have them most worried for 2009. Sonia Anderson from East Flatbush in Brooklyn wrote:
"I am desperately worried that in five days I am going to find an eviction notice because I have not paid my rent in two months. … I am a certified home health aide and an excellent cook. All I need is a job. I am on the Internet hourly, but nothing is happening."
We decided to tell her story.
After watching President-Elect Barack Obama's speech with Anderson, she told CBS 2 she was cautiously optimistic.
"It was a very nice speech, very well put. Let's just see if he practices what he preaches," she said.
Anderson has been out of work since October and spends hours on her computer trying to find a job. Right now she has four postings on Craig's List for everything from a cook and cleaner to a caregiver.
She even has her own catering Web site that focuses on healthy cooking, but starting last year, the jobs started drying up.
"I'm not working, my bills are piling up, I can't pay my rent and I'm about to be evicted," she said. "Am I doing something wrong? Am I not sending the right message? How can I reach the people, because I know there are people out there who need someone to work."
So we took her resume and job postings to Stephen Viscusi, the author of Bulletproof Your Job. He said Anderson needs to have four different resumes tailored for each type of job, her references should be attached, and she needs to be more specific about her clients.
"For instance, a Parkinson's patient – that's important to know; maybe a diabetic, maybe she works well with young children. I don't know from this resume what kind of home health care aide she has been," he said.
Viscusi said Anderson also needs to widen her net when it comes to getting a job.
"Go onto Monster.com, the New York Times, the special caretaker papers. The Irish Echo is one of the biggest secrets in New York City that everyone uses," he said.
And Viscusi thinks there's no reason Anderson shouldn't be working within weeks, if she takes his advice. He said a positive attitude is key, which is no problem for Anderson.
"I'm willing, able and ready," she said, adding that hope is what's keeping her going during these tough times.
Click here for information on Anderson's catering company, "Nyamings Catering," or call 1-(800)-604-2554.
Click here for more information from Stephen Viscusi on tips to bullet-proof your job, as well as for finding new employment in this tough economy.
What's Worrying You For 2009? Send Us Your Thoughts! You could be featured on an upcoming CBS 2 HD newscast.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments