Free job counseling is available Thursday and Friday by Chicago outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. (Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr user DaltonKat2)

By Jim Anderson

CHICAGO - The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, based in Chicago, will be open for free call-in job counseling Thursday and Friday.

This is the 27th annual free call-in service the firm has offered for anyone looking for work, whether they are currently unemployed, trying to switch jobs or re-entering the job market after a long absence.

Vice President Rick Cobb said job seeker should be aware there are some pitfalls to avoid as they look for work.

"Ads that run in the newspaper, ads that are posted online, sending resumes unsolicited into organizations, those are more likely to get you rejected by an organization than to actually find work," Cobb said.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas specializes in finding jobs for people sent to the firm by former employers. But for two days of the year, the firm has opened its phone lines to one and all as a free service.

Cobb said anyone calling in should focus on the biggest problem they've had to deal with while looking for work.

"The best thing that they can do is come prepared with their most difficult part of their search," Cobb said. "What is it that seems to be the biggest challenge for them? What is the monster under the bed? And, that's the thing that we'll address. If we can solve that one problem, we can help them tremendously."

The number for free job seeking advice is 312-422-5010. The “phone-in” job fair is open to anyone, nationwide, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.