Job Hunting Tips
Network!
Think of the people you know -
relatives, friends, professors, classmates, co-workers at summer jobs, and
others. Make more of an effort to meet with people, and use these
conversations to ask their advice, to make them aware of your job search, to
learn more about their jobs or their organizations, and to get the names of
others who might be useful in your job search.
Target your resume.
Make sure your resume is
targeted to the employers who receive it. Make sure your resume is easy to
read and the most important details stand out. Make more than one resume if
you are applying to more than one industry.
Be prepared.
You should have a copy of your
resume with you at all times. It is also a good idea to have fresh copies of
your resume prepared in case you are called to an interview at the last
minute.
Create a contact database.
Write down all the
employers you contact, the date you sent your resume, any contact made,
people you talk to, and notes about those contacts. Keep a notepad with you
at all times - take notes as soon as you hear about an opportunity or when
you leave an interview. Get into the habit of updating your database daily.
Make a "to do" list every day.
This will help
you organize your list of priorities and keep you focused on finding that
perfect job.
Try the buddy system.
Link up with a friend
who is also job hunting. Arrange to speak weekly and report on
accomplishments, best practices, and future plans.
Learn how to talk about yourself.
Throughout
your job search, you will speak with many people at different levels. You
must be comfortable having conversations about yourself with other people.
Keep in mind that you never know who may end up being useful to your job
hunt.
Prepare an elevator speech.
You never know
who you'll meet in an elevator, in line at the coffee shop, or on the street.
Know what your skills are and how to communicate them. You should be able to
tell prospective employers and others you meet what you can offer. You should
also be able to talk about how your skills relate to the industries that
interest you.
Find out all there is about employers in your field.
Remain current on any issues or developments in the field, read trade
journals or professional publications, and read the newspaper. It is
extremely impressive during an interview if you know about the latest merger
or coup in the industry.
Practice for each interview.
Preparation is
key to interviewing well. Friends, relatives, and career services counselors
can help you formulate strong answers to questions you might not anticipate.
Look at the list of possible questions and prepare yourself.
Follow up with leads immediately.
If you find
out about a position late in the day, call right then. Don't wait until the
next day.
Stay confident.
Job hunting takes time and
energy. Remain confident, but prepare yourself for challenges ahead. Don't
get disgruntled if you are still looking for a job and it seems like everyone
you know has an offer. Most students find their jobs after graduation, and
even experienced job seekers often search for months before finding the right
opportunity.
Source: United States Government Career Links |
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