Looking for a job in today’s struggling economy can easily be a daunting task, to say the least! It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged…where do you start? If this is the position you find yourself in, then take heart! This article was written with you in mind!
A great tip for any job is to have perfect attendance. When companies are looking to lay off workers they often times look at attendance. They’d rather not pay benefits to the no-shows, so they will be first to go. By showing up every day you protect your own wallet in the long run.
When hiring employees try to strike a balance between skill sets. For example, don’t hire everyone who is a fast typist, and no one who is slower but more organized. Those organizational skills may save you at some point. If you have a plethora of different skills available, your business will be more capable of handling a larger variety of situations.
After you go on your interview, make sure that you follow-up on the status. This means that you should send emails to the company asking whether or not a decision has been made on your employment. This shows that you are persistent, which is a quality that companies love in employees.
You should always strive to arrive at work at least ten minutes before you are due to be there. You might end up hitting traffic and it also gives you an opportunity to talk to the prior shift. Timeliness is a basic quality in any employee, and potential employers will be turned off if they find out that you are consistently late for work.
When you have an interview, you need to dress well so that you “wow” your potential employer. Be sure that you’re wearing professional clothing and you tend to small details like your nails and footwear. Employers will pass judgement on you based on your initial appearance, so make sure that you make a good impression.
While it is nice to have connections, remember that you should never think that someone else will get a job for you. You are your own best representative. Work hard to make your dreams happen. If you sit back and hope things will fall into place, they probably will not.
The Internet is a great resource, but you need to search for a job in other places as well. Social networking sites can sometimes help, but the best approach is to research companies of interest, find out if they have any available positions and get your resume out there for people to see.
Prepare an “elevator pitch” about yourself. This is a 30 to 60 second statement that could be delivered on an elevator ride, hence the name. Include information about your biography and any pertinent career accomplishments. Use the statement on phone interviews or when asked why you should be hired for the job.
Be sure you are dressed professionally when applying for a job or you are at a career fair. As you know, it is wise to dress professionally for an interview, but first impressions are a big deal as well. This is why you want to look your best even when you first meet a potential employer.
Call your local library to ask what sort of help they could provide you. They may offer free Internet use, allowing you to job search and send resumes online. They may also have seminars on writing resumes or other classes, which could help. Lastly, they may be able to help you print your resumes at an affordable rate.
As trivial as it may seem, be sure you are getting enough rest the night before an interview. Most people simply do not function properly when they have not slept enough. This could affect your ability to answer questions the interviewer may ask you at your interview. You also do not want to appear haggard.
As an older job seeker, remember that it is perfectly alright to be vague about years. You do not have to say that you have had thirty years of experience doing the job for which you are applying. Simply say that you are very experienced or that you have thorough experience from the ground floor up. It’s alright to be creative. Your exact age is your own business.
Be proactive in your position. It may seem easy to simply sit back and let the job take you where it wants to go, but employers don’t really respond to that. You may find you’re the first to go if/when there needs to be layoffs. Instead, show that you’re essential by proactively looking to fill needs and solve problems related to your position. That will definitely impress those above you.
Let your online networks know that you’re on the job hunt. Post it to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, posting a link to your resume and some quick information about who you are and what you do. This will let others pass any job opportunities they find on to you quickly and easily.
On the day of your interview, listen to calming music on the drive to the location or while on the train. This will help to reduce the stress that you feel and can help with your comfort level. When stress is minimized, you can speak more clearly and give off a better vibe.
Ask friends or parents for advice on what they did to get their job. Sometimes, you will find new techniques that you can incorporate into your job search. Also, you can use these people for contacts to specific people or a company when you are trying to land your job.
It is no understatement to say that trying to find a job in today’s job market can often make even those of us with the lengthiest of resumes feel insecure. But with a clear plan of action and some useful tips under your belt, you stand a much better chance of landing the job you want! We wish you success in your job search.
