Job hunting can inspire a lot of emotions, many of them unpleasant. Job hunters are often frustrated, anxious and ashamed of being out of work. The best antidote to these emotions is to find something that will allow you to get the job you want. This article provides you with tips and techniques for making the most out of your job hunt.
Use social media to build and define your online presence. More employers are starting to factor in candidates’ public profiles on the most popular sites, which include Facebook and Twitter. Update your privacy settings to ensure that any questionable images, updates and links are not visible to people outside of your network. Do not forget to change visibility settings for photos that have been posted by your friends.
Carry a paper with pertinent application information. You may be asked for prior job information that you don’t remember. Consider keeping a record of this information. This way, it will be easier to fill out applications.
If you are currently unemployed, making finding a job your new “job.” Essentially, that means you should spend the same number of hours in a day looking for a new position as you did at your previous job. This is often hard to do, but if you establish a routine for yourself early on, you will be able to succeed.
Remember when you go to a job interview to always dress professionally and make a good impression with what you wear. Even if the job is for a minimum wage or manual labor position, you will stand out from the crowd if you look good. You will have a better chance of getting a call back or actually landing the job when you look your best.
On whichever phone number you’re giving out on applications and your resume, don’t forget to have an answering machine. If a potential employer calls and you’re out at an interview, you’ll need to know who they were and how to reach them. Don’t forget to include a professional-sounding message, too.
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.
Remember that when you are at a job interview that you need to keep everything you say positive. Never speak badly of previous employers. This never reflects badly on your previous employer, it only reflects badly on you. If you do not have something good to say, then try to switch the subject.
Be very clear about what kind of job you’re looking for before you begin job hunting. Many people get too caught up in looking for “a job” instead of for their dream job, and that causes them to apply for jobs that don’t fit them well. If you restrict your job hunt to jobs you would be excited about taking, you are more likely to find the right job for you.
The quickest way to find jobs online is to use a job search engine. This type of site indexes all the major job boards, allowing you to search them all at the same time. I highly recommend Indeed.com as it found my husband the job of his dreams!
If you are asked about your weaknesses during a job interview, try to be as positive as possible in your answer. For example, don’t say, “I’m very disorganized.” Say something about how you are more focused on being flexible than on organization but that you use tools to keep yourself organized anyway.
When submitting a resume to a potential employer, always submit a full resume. A tactic used by many people to cover up negative areas of employment is to write the cover letter in lieu of an actual resume. Most human resource professionals have seen this and will red flag any potential job seeker immediately. If you are doing this and wondering why you are not getting any interviews, this is probably the reason.
Get out there and attend many functions. First and foremost, attend any professional association gatherings that are pertinent to your area. This is a great place to find out about openings and make important personal connections. Also attend alumni events for your alma mater and make connections with other alumni that may be able to help you in your search.
A common mistake people make when they are on the job market is to consider certain jobs as ‘beneath them.’ The bottom line is that you need to make ends meet. If you have considerable savings, that’s one thing, but you may want to consider accepting a job that may not be your ideal job but that would allow you to pay the bills while you look for another source of employment.
Be careful when using an agency to help you find a job. While there are many trustworthy employment agencies out there, there are also many looking to take your money. To find out if you can trust a specific agency, look them up on the BBB or head to the Internet to look for reviews.
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.
Now that you’ve read all about job hunting, you shouldn’t be so anxious or irritated anymore. Put any negative feelings aside and go get your job! The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll realize that it really is that easy. Good luck, and enjoy the new job you’re about to get.