Finding a good job is not easy, especially in a bad economy. You have to be able to compete with the other job seekers. Use what you’re about to read in order to help you stay ahead of the game.
At any new job you should learn as much as possible about everything. This also means to learn about other departments that are not your responsibility. This will make you an in-disposable asset in the company which will protect your job during periods of lay offs and/or reduced hours.
When your interview begins, make sure that you give your interviewer a firm handshake. This is important as it will give them a strong first impression of you as you can show that you mean business. A weak or soft handshake shows that you are nervous and are unsure of yourself.
When you are applying for a job, make sure that the job will make you happy. Often you will become so concerned with the amount of money the job pays, that you will disregard the quality of life that it will bring you. Always balance the monetary and practical benefits of a job.
If you’re writing a resume, try picking a format that suits the position you want. There are many types of common formats like a chronological, targeted, or combination resume. Take some time to see what works best for you. If possible, try to create your own format that gets your information across in a clear and concise manner.
Do not get too friendly with bosses or coworkers. Stay professional with all employees. Personal relationships in the workplace only complicates the business environment. Instead, prevent being friends with them and keep your relationship on a professional level so that your position isn’t put at risk.
Try doing some role play before you go to a job interview. Have someone rehearse with you. Use general questions related to the industry and get yourself prepared. Keep your answers focused and to the point. This role play will help you make a better presentation of yourself and land the job of your dreams.
Send a thank you letter. A lot of people don’t do this, so if you use this one tip, you may put yourself ahead of the pack very quickly. Simply write a short letter thanking the person for their time, reiterating that you want the job, and reminding him or her of your unique qualifications.
When you graduate college, put the pedal to the metal and apply for jobs as soon as you can. It is very tempting to sit back and wait a few months or years before you get yourself going. Taking the initiative immediately will put you ahead of everyone who is sitting back and doing nothing.
It is not only important to answer questions during an interview, but to ask them as well. This shows employers that you are interested in the company. Questions about the company itself, the position, benefits and other issues you would like to know about are important to ask while in the interview.
Sign up for LinkedIn. This is something everyone should already have in place, whether they have a job or not. LinkedIn allows you to network with people you know and those you don’t, giving you access to job opportunities, information about companies and the ability to learn from your peers in the field.
If you are requested by the recruiter to complete an application, take your time in filling it out. You may have this information in your resume, but the employer may require you fill out one of their own. They also could have details on their application that are not spelled out on your resume.
When all else fails, hire help to write your resume. A professional resume will not only look good and read right, but it will also be written in such a way that job boards like Monster.com will highlight you in the right searches. Professionals know which terms to use to get noticed.
You should do some research on the type of job you are interested in before applying. Find out how tough the job market is and look up average salaries to get an idea of how much you will make. This is a good way to evaluate the job offers you get.
Take the cash out for sick and vacation days if it is offered. If you want to earn as much as you can at this stage in your career this is a great way to do so. Remember that everyone does need a break from time to time, but not likely as much as you are given.
Try doing some volunteer work in your desired field. This type of knowledge-seeking is often overlooked, but it can both make you feel good and help you acquire important industry knowledge first-hand. It also provides you with a great opportunity to network with other professionals. Prospective employers tend to look favorably upon volunteer work listed on your resume, as well.
While Linkedin and Facebook are both social networking sites, you need to keep in mind that Linkedin is more of a professional site. This means that you should have a clear, polished picture that can be used for your profile. A picture of you making silly faces would definitely not be appropriate.
As you’ve seen, it can be hard to find a good paying job when the economy isn’t doing well. The competition is greatly increased when unemployment is high. This article will ensure that those hiring will want you and no one else.