So, you are looking for the job of your dreams and you are confused about where to start? Simply showing up is half the battle. The rest of gaining a job is learning great advice that will help you impress the person who will be interviewing you. This article will help you with that.
When it comes to preparation, finding a job is impossible without it. An up-to-date resume and qualifications list is needed. You need a good record of your education, certifications and accomplishments. Be sure to list references for prior positions and include details on your educational background.
Instead of accepting that you do not have what it takes to land a specific job, ask yourself what you can do to become a better candidate. For example, if you lack experience with a certain software program commonly used in your chosen field, look for online tutorials and how-to books. MIT and other prestigious universities offer a variety of free, non-credit online courses. Topics range from marketing research to XHTML, and completing the programs demonstrates your willingness to go the extra mile.
If you are looking to move up in a company don’t be shy to talk to management when you have an idea. At the same time, don’t overdo it. By going their with genuinely good ideas that you believe will help the company, they will naturally want you closer to them to assist, as such increasing your pay scale.
It is not wise to have your resume full of useless garbage. Do not use unreadable fonts or too many colors. The person who is looking at your resume just wants to know about your credentials and how qualified you are to work for their company; everything else is not necessary.
Take the time to write a quality cover letter before applying for a job. Your cover letter is a reflection of your communication and writing skills. Do your best to describe your experience in details, talk about your motivations and explain why you would be a good fit for the job.
As silly as it may seem, be sure the email address, you use when applying for jobs is an appropriate one. Your current email address can be something cute or personal, but when you apply for a job, it does not make you look very professional. Most email providers offer free sign ups so it will not cost you anything to create a professional email address.
Sign up for LinkedIn. This is something everyone should already have in place, whether they have a job or not. LinkedIn allows you to network with people you know and those you don’t, giving you access to job opportunities, information about companies and the ability to learn from your peers in the field.
Be sure you are dressed professionally when applying for a job or you are at a career fair. As you know, it is wise to dress professionally for an interview, but first impressions are a big deal as well. This is why you want to look your best even when you first meet a potential employer.
Network within your field. Networking that’s successful uses many goals and strategies to help you build professional relationships that are meaningful. Find out more about the field you are interested in. Attend conferences, read blogs, and do everything in your power to become more knowledgeable. This is the way to become an authority in your field.
Network, network, network! When looking for a job use all of your resources, including both business and personal contacts. Connect with anyone that is in the field you are in and use resources like LinkedIn to find other contacts, too. Submitting your resume and application via an inside track gives you an edge over the many people who submit via the standard practice.
Get out there and attend many functions. First and foremost, attend any professional association gatherings that are pertinent to your area. This is a great place to find out about openings and make important personal connections. Also attend alumni events for your alma mater and make connections with other alumni that may be able to help you in your search.
Always bring a list of references with you to a job interview. Make sure the information is up to date and that your references are expecting to be called. You need three references typically, so don’t list more than that. Include people who have been your superior, co-workers or even co-volunteers, if you must.
On a job application or at a job interview, be sure to give a potential employer your cell phone number rather than your home phone number. This is especially true if you live with others who may forget to tell you the company called. It would be a shame to miss out on a great job because a family member forget to tell you the company called.
Never trivialize details and responsibilities of previous positions. Taking on a flippant tone to describe interactions with customers, clients and coworkers reflects poorly on you. Hiring managers look for candidates who take obvious pride in their performance and the satisfaction of others. Even if your performance in one area was not to your standard, you might still mention it and discuss how you used it as a learning experience.
Now that you have some helpful advice in your employment arsenal, you can set about with your new plan to get a job. You need to treat getting a job with respect, in order to gain the job of your dreams. Stick with it, and before you know it you will have job offers rolling in.
