The current economic downturn has resulted in an extremely bleak environment for employment. In order to survive in this economy and land the employment that you desire there are several tips and tricks you must utilize. This article is loaded with proven and effective employment advice, so read it very carefully.
If there is a particular company you are interested in working for, do not hesitate to contact them directly to see what they have available. There may be some jobs available that they have not had to chance to publicly advertise for. Getting in contact with them right away can give you a bit of an advantage.
When looking for a job, keep your options open. There are many great places to find open positions. The Internet is a great resource with websites such as Monster.com and Craigslist that regularly have job openings. The newspaper is a great place to look, as well as applying directly at the business.
As trivial as it may seem, be sure you are getting enough rest the night before an interview. Most people simply do not function properly when they have not slept enough. This could affect your ability to answer questions the interviewer may ask you at your interview. You also do not want to appear haggard.
The quickest way to find jobs online is to use a job search engine. This type of site indexes all the major job boards, allowing you to search them all at the same time. I highly recommend Indeed.com as it found my husband the job of his dreams!
When looking for a job in your niche, try embracing social forums. You need to stay current with the latest news and information in your desired field. It is easy to become a part of these discussions via websites like Twitter and LinkedIn. Social forums are often overlooked, however, engaging in conversations like these can help build connections with other professionals in your niche, including some prospective employers.
Be careful that you do not bad mouth your former employer at all during a job interview. Even if you left your job on bad terms you do not need to get into all of the details. Explain that you are looking for a new opportunity and try to put a positive spin on it.
If you have children, never bring them with you to a job interview. Plain and simple, it is not very professional. Not only do children tend to get loud and rowdy, but a potential employer may feel like you could be at risk for having take too much time off if you could not even find a sitter for your interview.
Always continue to learn skills related to your position. The business world is always changing. There are new technologies and new methods that come around every single year. If you fall behind, you may find that your position is not as secure as you’d like it to be. To remedy, always be learning. That way your skills will be extremely hard to replace.
Meeting a potential employer in person is often much better than applying for a job online. You should print some resumes and visit local businesses to ask if they are currently hiring. You will have the opportunity to talk to potential employers, ask questions and make a good first impression.
It is truly the first impression which makes or breaks a job interview, so it is up to you to both look and act the part. Dress at the same level as your boss would if you got the job. Smell good! Lastly, be confident as that is the type of person they’ll want to hire.
Before any interview practice answering questions you may think will pop up. You don’t want to be thrown for a loop during an important interview! Write out the ten toughest questions you think they may ask and really craft out good answers. This way you’ll be ready with a good answer in case the question is asked.
You will want to come up with a brief speech you can give (and practice so that it doesn’t sound rehearsed!) letting prospective employers know your previous experience, what skills you could bring to their company, and why they should hire you. This is something that you will be likely to be asked in an interview, so make sure you know what you want to say!
Know the name of the person you are sending your resume to. Don’t simply put “to whom it may concern”. That shows lazy thinking. It is much better to call the company and ask them who is going to be receiving your resume. This little touch can be what gets you that interview.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, the current employment environment is very bleak. In order to beat the odds and survive through these difficult times you must be willing to educate yourself. Take advantage of all the great tips and advice you’ve read about and apply it. Good luck!
