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!
When struggling to obtain a job, you might need to update your strategy. Though many places are not hiring, do not become discouraged. Check out all sorts of locations, companies, fields and positions.
Get to work before your scheduled shift time. Things may happen that may delay your way to work, so give yourself time to be prompt. Employers appreciate punctual employees.
Always ask for permission before providing someone’s name and contact information for a personal or professional reference. If your contact is caught by surprise by your would-be employer, he may not have time to give a positive, well-thought-out answer. You also run the risk of discovering that this person did not share enthusiasm for your performance, skills and abilities.
Always make sure that the job that you are applying for is feasible from a location perspective. Often, you may want to just take the first job that is available to you, but you do not want to drive 100 miles to get to and from your job each day.
Get help. There are numerous free or low cost services available that can help you obtain everything from career advice to resume writing. A good place to start your search for these services is your local library and Department of Labor. Look for applicable classes and workshops and sign up!
Never speak negatively about a former employer or job experience in your interview. You must be positive at all times! If you are struggling to maintain this outlook, think about checking out a book from the local library that could help you maintain a positive focus in your interviews. This will go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals.
Have a mock interview. Enlist a friend to help ask you questions an interviewer would ask. That way, you can get a critique on your answers and your body language. This is a great way to make you feel comfortable during the real interview, because you can fix any flaws you have.
If a full-time job is not readily available, consider working part-time as a contractor in your field for the time being. This may get your foot in the door with a company. Recruiters also do not like to see huge time gaps in an applicant’s employment history. So, working part-time can make that gap smaller.
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.
Be careful that you do not bad mouth your former employer at all during a job interview. Even if you left your job on bad terms you do not need to get into all of the details. Explain that you are looking for a new opportunity and try to put a positive spin on it.
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.
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.
Before any interview practice answering questions you may think will pop up. You don’t want to be thrown for a loop during an important interview! Write out the ten toughest questions you think they may ask and really craft out good answers. This way you’ll be ready with a good answer in case the question is asked.
Keep your reference letter handy. It may be one thing to say you have references; however, having letters of reference is a much more solid approach. This will impress the interviewer.
Take steps to make your resume stand out. If you are applying for a job in advertising, print up a resume if the form of a marketing plan. If you are looking for a job in web development, create your own website with all the information for your resume. Whatever field you want to work in, you can come up with a unique resume personalized to that field!
Older job seekers benefit by being involved in professional social media. Be sure to set up a LinkedIn account or something similar and create a solid professional profile. Add this link to your resume so that your potential employers can check out your computer and social media skills. Understanding this type of networking is a valuable skill.
Keep an open mind when trying to find a new job. Not only apply for the specific position you are looking for, but jobs that are related to that position as well. You might not end up landing the exact position you were looking for, but it will give you an opportunity to get into a company where you can transfer positions down the road.
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.
