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.
Getting a job in today’s economy isn’t easy. However, if you learn good interviewing skills, you should be able to land a job in no time. Be sure to look your interviewer in the eyes, and give good, sincere responses. You will then not be surprised when you get a call that you got the job.
Dress well when you go on an interview. The best advice is to ‘dress as a boss’. Go in dressed as if you are the boss of the person in the position you want. This can be a great way to stand apart from the pack in any interview setting, and shows you are serious about the job.
Make sure that you eat a healthy breakfast the morning of your interview. This is very important as you may get nervous during your interview, and you will want to feel as comfortable as possible. A well-balanced meal will also provide you with the energy that you will need to succeed.
It’s important to prepare when searching for a job. Keep a pristine resume that is current and professional. Include information about your education, degrees, certifications and commendations you have received. You should include both online and offline education and current reference information.
Never wear strong fragrances when you are out looking for a job. Even if you find the scent to be quite pleasant, there is a chance that the hiring manager may have allergies or an aversion to the smell. It is best to smell like soap and lotions instead of cologne and perfume.
Keeping employee morale high will greatly benefit your business. You should organize company events around birthdays and holidays for example. This will make your employees feel like they are part of a team, and as such, they will work harder. Of course, the end result of this is that your bottom line will be larger.
When looking for a job try to find one that fits your personality type. For example, if you are shy and like working on projects alone, a job that requires you to be part of, and contribute to a larger team may be a bad choice. Carefully assess who you are, and find a job that fits that perfectly.
When looking for a job, consider shifting industries. If you are in between jobs, that is usually the best time to make a change. If you have been working in sales, for example, now might be the best time to shift to real estate. Look for ways to use your skillset in new ways, and that will expand the list of possible jobs for you.
Do your best to maintain eye contact during your job interview with the interviewer. Do not try to stare them down, but keep eye contact as much as possible. This shows the interviewer that you are paying attention and that you show interest in what they have to say. Practice with a friend before your interview and keep eye contact in mind.
Although you may be unemployed, right off the bat, you will need to make finding a job your full-time job. Prepare yourself to devote at least forty hours a week to finding employment, and try to stick to a consistent schedule as much as possible. This will help you avoid falling into the ‘I’ll look for a job tomorrow’ trap.
If your company sponsors volunteer opportunities for its employees to participate in, get involved. This will expand your network of business contacts within your company. The more people know who you are, the easier it will be for you to move around in your company. Including this experience in your resume will also show that you are a well-rounded person, which is a good trait in an employee.
As tempting as it may be to create an ornate resume, keep it as professional as you can. Do not use colored paper or a different type of font thinking that it may stand out. This will come across as too flashy, as companies will simply toss these to the side.
Network, network, network! When looking for a job use all of your resources, including both business and personal contacts. Connect with anyone that is in the field you are in and use resources like LinkedIn to find other contacts, too. Submitting your resume and application via an inside track gives you an edge over the many people who submit via the standard practice.
Always bring a list of references with you to a job interview. Make sure the information is up to date and that your references are expecting to be called. You need three references typically, so don’t list more than that. Include people who have been your superior, co-workers or even co-volunteers, if you must.
If you don’t get a job, ask why not. This can be an invaluable way to determine if you’re doing anything wrong. You can simply send a short email or letter inquiring about whether there was anything more you could have done. This may also make you feel better about not getting the job.
Get to the interview 10 minutes before the appointed time. This will help you center yourself before the interview and show you’re serious about the position. There is absolutely no reason for you to be even 5 minutes late. If you are late, have a really good explanation ready before you let the interview continue.
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.