Persistence, patience key in job hunt

Jobs are disappearing at a record rate in the United States. First-time claims for unemployment benefits hit nearly 670,000 last week. For the unemployed, the game is about getting in a position to land an available job.

Brittany Phillabaum was recently laid off and is getting help from the career placement office at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis. She lost her job in sales with a national computer company in December.

"It is really hard to kind of keep motivated. I got laid off in December and it's been two months and it's still very hard to get motivated," said Phillabaum.

Phillabaum is getting guidance from Sherry Zike, an assistant director at the career placement office. Sherry suggests treating a job search, like a job.

"You need to get up in the morning, you need to get dressed, eat your breakfast and sit down at a desk of some sort and begin to make telephone calls...go online...and write letters," said Zike.

Tim Bennett is the director of the Kelley School career planning office. Bennett teaches a career planning and placement class required for Kelley School students. He said job seekers need to use available technology and more.

"Greeting people, meeting people, getting your resume out. Having a good resume. Honing your interviewing skills. Understanding the importance of networking," advises Bennett.

Students take Bennett's message to heart.

"I network at my tables when I see business meetings. I've gone as far as to have resumes in the back, just in case," said student September Smith.

"I still think I can find a job. Even if it is a part-time stop, it will suffice for me as a student, to pay for all my living expenses. And I still have time in the future to find a better job," said student Lucas Wolf.

But as Brittany Phillabaum found out, the future often arrives quickly.