Seeking employment can be a difficult and stressful task. No one likes having to apply for jobs and then wait around to find out if you got it. With the right advice, you can make job hunting go more smoothly. Just use the tips in the following article the next time you are looking for work.
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.
If you’re writing a resume, try picking a format that suits the position you want. There are many types of common formats like a chronological, targeted, or combination resume. Take some time to see what works best for you. If possible, try to create your own format that gets your information across in a clear and concise manner.
If you are looking for a new job, you can skip to the front of the line if you have recently taken some classes. Sign up for enrichment courses every once in a while since this will show employers that you plan to stay at the top of your game.
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.
During your interview, never bad-mouth your former employer, even if you felt you were not treated fairly. This will negative impress your interviewer who will think that you have no loyalty to your employer. If you have nothing good to say about your former employer, avoid commenting about them and just focus on your own contributions.
Turn down the number of rings on the phone you use for job searching to five. This allows you plenty of time to get to the phone, but doesn’t have so many rings that potential employers will hang up before they get to the answering machine, causing you to lose out on an opportunity.
As you search for a steady job, remember that you can pick up some extra work on the side. Nearly everyone has a skill that they can put to use. Try freelance writing, lawn work, or buying things to sell at a profit. The only limits to your options are the ones you put on them, so be creative!
When you graduate college, put the pedal to the metal and apply for jobs as soon as you can. It is very tempting to sit back and wait a few months or years before you get yourself going. Taking the initiative immediately will put you ahead of everyone who is sitting back and doing nothing.
If your work can be done either day or night offer flexible schedules. This will expand the pool of employees that you are choosing from, and whenever their are more candidates available, chances are better that you get better employees. This also will make your employee feel that they are more free to set their schedule and live their life as needed.
Enroll in the health insurance your employer offers. Your premiums are deducted from your check on a pre-tax basis, so the cost is less expensive than an individual plan. If your spouse has insurance, you may be able to join their plan.
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.
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.
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.
One of the things to understand when you are job hunting is that there will be a lot of disappointments. If you understand this, you will be in a good position to get back on your feet and stay persistent if you do not land the job. Eventually, your dedication and drive will pay off.
Check out social media to find current job opportunities. Twitter and Facebook are sometimes the first or only place where a job will be advertised, so keep your eyes peeled. Check out the #jobs or #career hashtags daily to see what’s being advertised. Note that this isn’t always a good way to find local jobs, though.
Spend some time making a list of everything you have to offer. Often, people do not realize everything that they can bring to the table. Therefore, it is important that you take note of these things so you are prepared to highlight them and discuss them in interviews. Don’t take anything that you can do for granted.
Know the name of the person you are sending your resume to. Don’t simply put “to whom it may concern”. That shows lazy thinking. It is much better to call the company and ask them who is going to be receiving your resume. This little touch can be what gets you that interview.
Now that you have read this article, you should be better prepared the next you need a job. By preparing yourself ahead of time, you improve your odds of landing that perfect position. Keep the advice you have read in mind so that you can get the job of your dreams.
