Start looking for the perfect job before you graduate from school. For example, you could take classes that gear you towards the specific field that you would like to work in. In addition, keep your grades as high as you can to make a good impression on potential employers.
When you want a new job, talk to your friends and contacts. Ask them if they are aware of any place that is hiring, and see if they would introduce you to them. A lot of people will overlook this step. However, if you do not have good recommendations you may be turned away.
Consider changing up a search strategy that is not working for you. Many places aren’t hiring, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Explore all the opportunities that surround you, and consider taking any that you can afford.
Know what the industry standard is when it comes to pay, and do not undervalue yourself during salary negotiation. Employers use this as a benchmark, typically based on the budget that they have. While that may be true in some cases, employers want confident employees and it is best to not appear overly desperate.
If you plan to use current or former coworkers and supervisors as a business or personal reference, stay in touch. Maintaining contact with these people is important because it ensures that you have accurate, current information. Periodically verify your contacts’ telephone numbers, mailing address, current place of employment and email address. Providing incorrect contact information to a potential employer may hurt your chances for success.
Although your resume is important, understand that you will need more than an excellent resume to land a job. Try to keep it current and comprehensive when you present it. However, the resume by itself will not do the trick. Applicants who are dedicated and enthusiastic will be considered above those who do not show those traits. Always focus on your strengths, and play to them in the interview.
If you are on an interview and the interviewer asks what salary you prefer, always be as conservative as possible. It is better to say a little bit less than you want, as this is sometimes the weeding out process a company uses based on the budget that they have.
You should keep your resume updated every single month. This ensures that you can apply for a job at any time, even if you already have a job. Sometimes an amazing opportunity can pop up, but you have to be prepared to be able to snag it for yourself.
Companies ultimately are concerned with their bottom line. As you get yourself ready to go in for interviews, and even when you’re creating a resume, you have to show off what you can do well to make the company more money. Though responsibility and honesty are key, employers are interested in even more.
When you are going on your interview, make sure that you groom yourself properly a few days before. If you are a guy, shave and get your hair cut to look as professional as possible. If you are a woman, use minimal makeup to achieve a natural look and sport a conservative hairstyle.
Create a reliable list of references. Almost every job application will have a spot for you to provide references. Streamline your application process by having your references and their contact information with you whenever you apply for a job or attend an interview. Try to have at least three references, and at minimum, include their job titles, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Prepare an “elevator pitch” about yourself. This is a 30 to 60 second statement that could be delivered on an elevator ride, hence the name. Include information about your biography and any pertinent career accomplishments. Use the statement on phone interviews or when asked why you should be hired for the job.
When going into an interview, it is just as important to be polite and friendly to the receptionist as it is to be polite to the interviewer. You never know if the interviewer will ask the receptionist how your demeanor was toward them. It will make you look better if the receptionist says you were polite.
A common mistake people make when they are on the job market is to consider certain jobs as ‘beneath them.’ The bottom line is that you need to make ends meet. If you have considerable savings, that’s one thing, but you may want to consider accepting a job that may not be your ideal job but that would allow you to pay the bills while you look for another source of employment.
There are so many tips here which should prove helpful. Be at the top of the list of prospective employees by being smart and educated, with solid referrals and high grades. Jobs go to those with the best references, education and personal presentation.
