You’ve been looking for months for a job. You’ve sent out countless applications and no one has called back. Don’t be discouraged, it isn’t time to line up for a bum status yet. With the very tight and competitive search for job openings in the market today, it may take you awhile to get that employed status. Here a few tips to make that tedious job search easier.

Evaluate yourself. Know where you are good at and your own skills. You may be applying for the wrong job. You shouldn’t be sending your application to the Jet Propulsion Lab if you have a degree in art appreciation. You should also be aware of your values and your interests. This may seem self-indulgent, especially if all you care about is making the quick buck but this is important for your future employers as well. If you are stuck in a job you hate, then hiring you would have been a waste of time. To save yourself the aggravation of job hopping, match your interests with the job you are applying for.

Be Prepared. Have several up to date resumes ready. You never know when opportunity will knock. Be ready with an answering machine for your telephone just in case the company calls and you are away. Put your cell phone number on your resume so the company can call you when you are not at home. Make sure all your papers are in order, such as insurance and health care.
Network. There are a surprising number of jobs available that are not advertised. Having a large number of contacts, friends and family will help you immensely in landing a job. Tell your family and friends that you are looking for work and ask them if they could help. You’ll never believe how many referrals you can get.
Utilize your resources. Your school and government can help you. Your college alumni association, the Department of Labor or your local library provides free services such as career counseling and job search assistance. Your school also holds job fairs that can link you to potential employers.

Classified Ads. The help wanted section in your daily newspaper lists numerous jobs. Be aware though that there are many jobs that aren’t listed in the newspapers. Don’t rely solely on the newspapers. Also be aware that the ads list just the very bare facts about the job. Some will just list the position without saying the employer’s name. Answer the ad promptly as they tend to fill the positions quickly sometimes even when the ad is still being run in the papers.

Use the Internet. The World Wide Web is your best bet of quickly finding a job. Not only do most of the employers use this resource but you can easily send your resume directly to them. Don’t limit yourself to the major job searching sites. Use the sites that major in your field of expertise. You can also the Internet for job searching tips, expert interviews and communities for fellow job searchers.

Posted on January 24th, 2007 by admin
Filed under: Job Search | No Comments »

Such an interview gives the applicant a chance to rehash his/her accomplishments, and it gives you the opportunity to get a better sense of the person’s past experiences and aspirations. This, in turn, leads to a more tailored letter — and, the more tailored the letter, the more convincing it is.

The interview should help you to clarify a number of points:

The Purpose of the Letter. Ask the applicant about short-term and long-term goals, choice of school program or job, and reasons behind this choice.

The Applicant’s Main Accomplishments. Ask the applicant about major achievements, and how they relate to their choice of program or job.

The Applicant’s Main Qualities. Ask the applicant for a short list of adjectives describing his/her temperament and work style. If the letter of recommendation form specifically asks you to address the applicant’s weaknesses, ask the individual to pinpoint areas of weakness that could be addressed through the program or job.

Anything Else the Applicant Would Like to Bring Up. Make sure you give the applicant the opportunity to bring up any information which might be relevant to the letter of recommendation.

Practical Information. Make sure you are clear on the deadline, how many copies/versions the applicant needs, and exactly where the finished letters must be sent.

Posted on January 24th, 2007 by admin
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Some of the best jobs aren’t listed anywhere. So how do you apply for jobs that aren’t advertised anywhere? You meet people who might have insight into your job search. You talk to people who know people who could help you out. You chat it up with strangers at parties. You cold-call people you’ve read about in the newspaper. You write cordial letters to prominent community leaders. You cultivate an arsenal of contacts. In short, you network.

Below are some strategies for success:

1. Brainstorm for Contacts.

Think of everyone who could possibly serve as a contact. Don’t limit yourself to people who could clearly help you out - friendly, accessible people in unrelated fields often have contacts they would be happy to share with you. To get you started with your list, here are some suggestions:

Read more…

Posted on January 26th, 2007 by admin
Filed under: Job Search | 1 Comment »