Dear Nausheen

Dear Nausheen
I would like to discuss my friend’s current situation. He is a US citizen and a California resident. He obtained his MBA degree in business and bachelors in computer information systems from an accredited university in California.
He has been struggling to get a suitable job in his field but has had no luck so far. He had been unrelenting in applying for various jobs but had no response or acknowledgement from anywhere so far. A whole exasperating year has passed!
How do you see his situation?
Aisha

Dear Aisha,
Finding the perfect job can certainly be a daunting task at times. Although there may be specific situational factors that are preventing your friend from finding a job, I will address some “best practices” here that may help him in his job search.
First of all, there are numerous job seeker resources that your friend has probably utilized, local help wanted ads, websites such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and dice.com.
These tools not only allow you to apply for jobs, but also to showcase your resume...and the resume of millions of other job seekers around the world. Although these are wonderful ways to reach potential employers, it is important to realize that the sheer number of faceless applicants for any particular position can make it very difficult for any one applicant to stand out in the crowd.
As a result, networking with other professionals in your field has taken on an even greater role.
Networking can be in the form of job fairs, professional conferences, or even social parties.
Appearance, knowledge and etiquette are key to making a good impression, because you never know who you’ll meet or where those connections may lead.
There are also various “headhunter” organizations that may be able to help your friend find a job. These recruiters specialize in finding people to fill positions at local companies. They help with resume writing and interviewing skills so that job seekers gain a polished and professional look.
Resume writing, by the way, is an art. Always make sure that your resume is neat, easy-to-read, and free of spelling and grammar errors. A resume needs to quickly and efficiently lay out a person’s education and work experiences. The bells and whistles can be a nice touch, but they should not be distracting. Be aware of the overall look of the resume. That includes the fonts, bolded text, use of white space, etc. As a recruiter once told me, sometimes it’s not what you have in your resume, but how it is presented that makes all the difference.
And finally, since your friend has a graduate degree, it may also be worthwhile for him to pay a visit to the career center at his alma mater. Collee career counselors can provide good leads.
Although finding employment can sometimes be a full-time job on its own, it is very important for your friend to stay involved in professional activities, so that his resume does not reflect a long period of unexplained unemployment. He can contact temp agencies that may be able to help him find temporary jobs while looking for a permanent position.
He should also continue to take professional development courses so that he remains current on the trends in his field. This will increase his marketability to potential employers.
And remember, depending on his financial situation, sometimes a lower-paying job can be better than no job at all. Most successful individuals in the United States have held odd jobs at one point or another in their careers. Good luck to your friend and happy job-hunting!
Nausheen

(Are You Looking for Advice, but Don’t Know where to Turn?
Dear Nausheen wants to hear from you. So many of us suffer in silence, looking for answers to life’s personal struggles. Sometimes, we just want an impartial ear that will listen. Other times, we need someone who is willing to knock some sense into a convoluted situation.
Dear Nausheen is an advice column that will address the unique personal, social and cultural perspectives of South Asian Muslims in the United States. Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi is an author, teacher, mom, and mentor. Born in Karachi and raised in New York, Nausheen has lived and worked in a number of states in the US. Her experiences have provided her with a balanced, no-nonsense approach to life that is tethered by her ability to regard the validity of multiple worldviews.
“I don’t see the world in black-and-white, but in glorious hues of pastel.”
If you are at a crossroads or have an issue you would like to discuss, send us your thoughts. We encourage you to use a fictitious name for yourself and anyone else you mention in your letter. Your contact information will not be disclosed. Selected letters will be edited and published in Pakistan Link.
Please address your letters seeking Nausheen’s advice to: afaruqui@pakistanlink.com)

 

 

 

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