Eight Job Hunting Tips

With the economy the way it is today people are finding themselves contemplating a change or a return to the workplace. Unfortunately finding a job isn’t always that easy. When I was job hunting a while back I tried every avenue available including in person applications, online resumes and even an agency. It wasn’t until that time that I knew that there are specialized agencies that cater to specific industries - everything from administrative assistants to wine jobs and everything in between. I’d never worked with an agency before but there is something to be said for having someone to help you sell yourself during tough times.

When I went to work in an adult vocational school I helped the students with job search and placement. In trying to help a friend find work recently I found myself thinking back to what some HR reps told me they’d seen. With that in mind, here’s are eight tips to keep in mind if you’re job hunting.

1. Jobs don’t usually find you so get up off the chair and find them. Online resumes are great but they should not be your only method of searching.
2. Resumes. Get one. Adapt it to different fields if you’re applying for different types of jobs. Make sure you are as specific as possible in your job descriptions. You never know what simple task may end up being a selling point in your favor. Example - changing toner. It amazes me how many people I have worked with in offices over the years that couldn’t change toner.
3. Applications. Your job while job hunting should be finding a job. Put in as many applications a day as you possibly can.
4. No matter if you’re applying for coffee jobs or technology jobs you’re going to have to interview.It’s no secret that many people dislike interviews. Learn to be comfortable in your skin. Have a friend do some practice interviews with you. Be direct and confident.
5. Arrive for interviews early, professionally dressed and alone.
6. Leave your cell phone in the car.  Not on silent. Not on vibrate. In the car.
7. Bring a fresh copy of your resume to every job interview. Many companies will have you fill out an application even if they have your resume. Your resume will save time in filling it out because you’ll have the details handy.
8. References. Have personal and professional references available upon request. Make sure you ask if you can use someone as a reference before you do. It can be quite surprising to receive a phone call asking you to give a job reference for someone you don’t know all that well or no longer speak with.

I hope you find at least one of these helpful. Good luck!

Filed Under: Here And There • Work

Tags: BevForce, job hunt, resume