Job Hunting Tips

It’s a nasty world out there right now, with an economic recession roaring down on us, money and corporate scandals every day, and for many the pressure of trying to land that new position that’s going to make a change for us or to let us continue to work and play as we want is huge. With that in mind, this tip guide will be a great place to help you start job hunting, and some idea of the spills and to avoid.

1. Be Over prepared. Sounds just like that tired old cliché about being a boy scout, but how many times have you found yourself without a pen? How many dates do you think you’ve missed when your voice mail was too full? Think of it as the ultimate date, and prepare like you want it!. So make sure your resume has your current cell number on it, an email addie that isn’t about your personal life (joeboykicksass@drunkenslobcollegeboys.com may sound cool to your buddies, but would you hire someone with that email address?) If you’re working and looking, trying to get out of the grind, keep your resume up to date – add in all those scrappy little bits (I’m now in charge of the TPS Reports) that mean less than anything to you, but that could make all the difference to an employer, it could be the one thing that gets you in front of them. You just never know!
2. Keep track. This is essential really in knowing who you’ve talked to, and what the results were. Have no fear about asking Why not Me? They can only say no again, right? But if they’re a good company, they’ll let you know, especially if you’ve interviewed directly with them.
3. Follow up, follow up, and follow up again. Don’t be afraid to call 2/3 days later to ask them how their search is going. This will do two things for you. Keep you in their minds, making you stand out from the couple hundred resumes that poor soul’s had to slog through, and him not knowing you from Adam – but call him/her, let them know who you are and why your calling, they’ll remember when reviewing.
4. Look outside your comfort zone, don’t just try and follow one counter job with another. That may be what you’ve done, but is it what you really want? If you have a great passion in your life, photography say, look towards that as a fulfilling step to take, when offered.
5. Keep aware of what’s happening in your local area, or the area your job hunting in, and see what companies are moving into the area. A lot of companies face a huge problem when looking to staff a new or expanded complex in a new area for them, as they won’t have the manpower ready to fulfill the positions needed, but if you know AAA Inc is coming to town in 6 months, and they already have your resume and you’ve spoken with them, who’re they more likely to call first, you with your resume already in front of them, or the one they just got emailed to them from Joeboykicksass?
6. Network if you can, become a member of or join local clubs and chapters, to see what others are doing. If you have friends in your industry don’t hesitate to ask for help from them, as it’s a simple form of human  kindness that most people respond to. As so many of today’s job’s just don’t filter into the main stream job market of the main career sites, having those in your industry knowing your searching can help a lot in these situations.
7. Really USE the job sites to work for you. A lot of people think that just searching on the job boards and panels will eventually get them to the position that they want. Might work, probably won’t. For as many people searching out there, there’s employers looking for the right people that just aren’t meeting. When you fill out that profile on the job board, do list all those certificates you never thought would come to any use, do include your club membership info, tell them what your likes and dislikes are, and for heaven’s sake keep it true! More people lose jobs from telling lies than for any other reason in the U.S. job market.
8. Attend the job fairs. So there’s going to be 8 thousand other people there, so your job, first and foremost, is to stand out, give the employer a reason to want to remember you. Make yourself unique. I don’t mean dress up like Joaquim Phoenix for the fair, but make a reason for them to know you next time you speak. These can also be great places to network with other job seekers, as one man’s perfect job could bore the life out of another, and he may know where yours is.
9. This is a hard one, as most people don’t like to do it, which is why it’s so important. Do your own self assessment, and see what you would change, add or remove in your own resume or personal presentation. Be critical of yourself, and tell yourself the truth. Was it really your idea to get a new supplier and save your last company those 50 thousand dollars per year, or had your assistant mentioned it? This is the sort of thing that can make or break your hunt, as knowing yourself is most important, like any other product, so you can present with complete confidence.
10. Just keep trying. If one thing doesn’t seem to work for you, try another. Change it about until you have success – and that means you’ll have a new job, what you were looking for. The main thing is, just don’t give up. It’ll happen.