6 New Tips For Today's Job Seeker

When Applying For Jobs...

#1  Research every single company you are applying with at great length. That will enable you to be specific about the opportunity you're applying for -- in terms of the questions you ask in the interview, and the way you tailor your resume & cover letter.

It takes a bit more effort to get a job these days, but it's worth it in the end.

For starters, it's a good idea to create your own personal personnel file!

#2  Be specific. Tailor your cover letter and resume to the specific job you are applying for. General, one-size-fits-all cover letters don't work anymore.

For example, try to get the name of the person doing the hiring, rather than using "to whom it may concern" in your cover letter. Also, be sure to offer some ways that you can bring your skills to the company, and spell out ways that you can help in those areas you know they need help with.

The more it is obvious that you've gone above & beyond what most people do in preparing for a job, the better. A little bit of effort goes a long way in the new job hiring game.

Much has changed ... today’s resumes are aggressively written personal marketing tools, strategically positioning candidates to be chosen for interviews. For the most impact, your resume should be driven by accomplishments instead of job descriptions. Your resume should also have an abundance of industry keywords, as many companies are storing resumes electronically and you need keywords to get found in an applicant search. Source

#3  Proofread everything you write or type. These things are a permanent record of you, your character, and your intentions with the company. If you have typos in your work, it shows carelessness and an unprofessional attitude.

Just the same, you should have someone else proofread your resume and cover letter for you. They'll be able to see things you didn't, and think of better ways to say things.


#4  Watch what you post online.  What may seem like fun one day could come back to haunt you when you're looking for a job. The reason: employers tend to do online searches to find more about people before hiring them. So be careful about what you post on your MySpace page or personal blog (or in the Comments of others' sites).

TIP: Google your name and see what comes up. Be very aware of your online image at all times.

Here are some tips for creating your LinkedIn profile.

#5  Think through what you will say in voicemail messages and email messages before you say it.  Otherwise, you can make a bad fist impression if you don't leave professional-sounding voicemail or email message. An employer's impression of you should always be positive... if you want the job, that is.

Some Tips:

Do away with ringback tones.

Avoid using overly cute email addresses & e-mail signatures.

Stay away from smilies & txt msg shorthand.

Make sure your phone's voicemail message doesn't sound too childish or "fun".

Keep things professional.
 

#6  Always thank others. Whether they've actually benefitted you in your job search or not, it is in your best interest to take the time to write a thank you note. Also, send thank you notes to all of the higher ups you've met with at the company.

The point:  Don't burn a bridge. Because anyone that you've spoken with could have an impact on you getting this job, or a future job  -- either there, or at a different company the person is associated with (now, or in the future).

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