Finding a job in today’s economy? That’s an impossible task! Or is it? It may surprise you to learn that companies are still hiring, and although competition for jobs can be fierce, there are nonetheless things that you can do to enhance your chances of standing out. What are they? Read on!
When you are job hunting, dress for success, no matter the job. You’ll be viewed as more qualified if you dress properly. Dress professionally at all times to make the best first impression possible.
Come up with good answers to your strengths and weaknesses in addition to what you can bring to a company before you go on an interview. These are common questions that you should have an answer to in advance, so that you are not baffled when they ask you face to face.
Try not to listen to all the press about the dwindling job market and how difficult it is to find a job. This will only seek to discourage you. There are plenty of companies out there and many are hiring. While there may be more people looking for jobs, that simply means that you need to improve your resume and interviewing skills in order to stand out. Think positively.
Remember when you go to a job interview to always dress professionally and make a good impression with what you wear. Even if the job is for a minimum wage or manual labor position, you will stand out from the crowd if you look good. You will have a better chance of getting a call back or actually landing the job when you look your best.
Be confident in yourself when interviewing for positions. When you are confident in your skills and abilities it will show through during the interview. Confidence and the ability to lead are qualities that employers look for. There are probably many eligible job seekers interviewing for the same position, so make sure that you stand out from the rest.
Don’t lie on your resume about your skill sets. You may feel like you need to stretch the truth to open doors, but more often than not your lack of the skills, in reality, will be found out pretty easily by a savvy interviewer. Instead, teach yourself the skills you need to know to make you more attractive to hiring companies.
You may want to provide the number of your cell phone on your job applications rather than your home phone number. You’ll be able to answer questions while you are out in public, instead of missing the call. In addition, your cell phone can be taken with your wherever you go, so you will always be available to talk.
Make sure you let your friends and acquaintances know that you are on the job search. They may know of openings in your field, or may be able to suggest contacts that you may not have thought of. Many a person has found a job this way, and you could be next!
Google yourself to see what type of information comes up for potential employers when they search. If you see something that looks like it could be damaging to you, do everything you can to have it removed. Whether you believe it or not, many employers use Google searches to weed out people they don’t want to hire.
Sometimes, you may face questions that you are not prepared for. Although this does not happen all of the time, it is always better to prepare yourself for the possibility. Be sure to identify any inactive work periods, weaknesses or even disciplinary actions that you might have on your work history. Make it a point not to lie in your interview about anything, but do be prepared to talk honestly and earnestly about these things and what you learned from each.
Many of us turn to the internet in our quest to find a job. The majority of jobs, however, are not found over the internet, so don’t make this your sole strategy. You will likely need to call prospective employers and go to their offices to introduce yourself and try to get your foot in the door.
Older job seekers may benefit by using the functional resume form rather than the chronological resume form. The functional resume lists major experiences and accomplishments right at the top rather than listing all experiences and accomplishments in chronological order. You could create several functional resumes to target different types of jobs.
Try doing some volunteer work in your desired field. This type of knowledge-seeking is often overlooked, but it can both make you feel good and help you acquire important industry knowledge first-hand. It also provides you with a great opportunity to network with other professionals. Prospective employers tend to look favorably upon volunteer work listed on your resume, as well.
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.
If you really want to get a job with a particular company, begin by sending your resume to them. On a monthly basis, contact them in case a job does happen to open up. You could even make a big impression by walking in the door. Going this extra step makes it apparent that you are diligent and interested in the company. If a position opens up, it is possible that you will be contacted before the listing is posted.
You now have a deeper understanding of some of the important things to consider when embarking on a job search. The market can be tough, but that only means that you’ll need to have a clearer strategy in your quest to find employment! It will require work on your part, but you can certainly do it!
