Job Hunting Tips

Make sure you have your resume on file with job-hunting websites, such as monster.com or careerbuilder.com. You may get the occasional spam e-mail about jobs available, but there are also very good employers who regularly check websites such as these for prospective job candidates. And it they are also good places to search for jobs that are available. You may also wish to check employment opportunities via the classified section of your local newspaper and via craigslist as well. Join networking sites, such as LinkedIn, where you can get references from friends and former colleagues who know you well and can give you good recommendations to others.

Make sure you always have plenty of your copies of resume on-hand no matter where you go. You never know when you may find yourself networking with someone at any time during your job hunt! It is also a good idea to make sure that the resume is completely up-to-date, with current and valid references, and is neat and professional-looking.

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If you are responding to a job posting via the telephone, before you place your call, write down a rough outline of what you wish to say and ask. This will help you better ask all the questions you want to ask during this time. It will also make you sound more professional and confident!

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If someone wishes to interview you over the telephone, while you should not turn them down, you should first ask if it is possible to conduct the interview in person. You will probably make a better impression with the interviewer this way, and you will also find it easier to gather information this way.

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Before going in for an interview, do what you can to research the company who is interviewing you. Find out as much as you can about the company, so not only can you decide whether or not this would be a place you would want to work, but also so you sound as if you are interested in working for the company. Be prepared with questions that you may wish to ask your potential employer.

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If you have been on enough interviews, you begin to realize which questions are almost always asked of you. Begin to practice answers to these questions in your mind so you always have a good answer when asked.

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Dress for success! Unless you have been told ahead of time that the company has a laid-back, casual, "anything goes" atmosphere, you should always dress in appropriate workplace attire for interviews. Men: Wear a suit if possible. Women: make sure you are not wearing excessive make-up or jewelry. Both sexes should either use cologne or perfume sparingly, or avoid it entirely if possible.

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When you schedule an interview, be prompt, and if possible, arrive between five and ten minutes early. This will let your potential employer know that you are on top of things and are ready to get down to business! If you are late for some reason, be sure to call ahead and be as apologetic about the situation as possible.

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After you have completed the interview and have returned home, send a follow-up note to the potential employer, thanking them for taking the time to meet with you and to let them know that you look forward to hearing from them again. An employer will always be happy to see that you are serious about working for their company. Even if during the interview process it was obvious that the position was not right for you (or that you were not right for this position), the employer will still appreciate the gesture and may be more likely to keep your name on file for future opportunities.

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Do not sit back on your laurels! If you feel you have had a successful interview with a company, do not just sit back and wait for their job offer. Continue following any and all leads you may have in the meantime. This way you are not caught with your guard down if you are not offered a job, and you may have a chance to apply and interview for an even better position while you are waiting.

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Build and maintain a professional website online geared toward job search that includes a profile, picture, resume, recommendations from former colleagues, links to associations you're involved with, etc. Be sure it looks sleek and highly prestable. Don't forget to reference this website on your employment application or bring it up in the interview.

If you are finding yourself stuck by the double edged sward of job hunting - you need a job so that you can start gaining experience but no one will hire you because you don’t have experience - here's a suggestion for you....volunteer your time! No matter what you want to do for a career, there is a way to volunteer and it will serve as that invaluable experience employers are looking for. Use the internet to learn how.

Are you being proactive enough in looking for a job? Make yourself a checklist like this:

• Newspaper Classifieds
• Online Classifieds Sites
• Telling Friends
• Checking in with old employers
• Job Fairs
• Craigslist

Leave no stone unturned. Do not stop until you've found a job. NEVER GIVE UP. Giving up is for losers. You can do it!!!

Job hunting books and resources often talk about "the hidden job market". What they are talking about is this - at least half of all job opportunities never even get posted. Not in newspapers, job search websites, company websites, or anywhere else. What does this mean? Far FEWER people are fighting to get all of these jobs.

But how do you go about finding one of these hidden treasures? In a word - NETWORKING. Make a list of all the people you know. Put them in order with the person that you think would most likely be able to help you get the job of your dreams at the very top. Now call them. Ask to meet them in person for a few minutes. Tell them your situation, what kind of work you are looking for, and show them your resume. If at all possible, tell them WHAT COMPANIES you would be interested in looking for, by name. That can really get people thinking for you.

Then comes the most important part -ASK. Ask them what people they think you should call to have an informal meeting with. See if they have the contact info for those people, and ask if it is okay to use their name. Tell them that if they have a chance, just let them know that you'll be giving their friends a call sometime in the next two days. Then, when you meet those people, if they don't have a job that fits you, perhaps they can recommend some others you can call!

If the situation presents itself to you with a company you want to work for, and you think you can go this route without too much financial strain, consider a part-time or short-term contract job. There is always a possibility that this type of position can lead to something full-time or longer-term, and even if this is not immediately the case people may remember you in the future if something else comes along that may better suit your needs. This will also help you find additional networking contacts!