Finding a job today is as overwhelming as it is difficult, so
being prepared for action is important. If you are struggling with how
to get a job or you're running out of ideas for where to look, consider
the below preparation steps to help you find a job.
There are some people who actually mail out hundreds of resumes (otherwise known as the scatter-shot approach) and respond to Craigslist ads. These are not a solid plan to find a job. If you really want to know how to get a job, master the four areas outlined below.
These four key areas will help you to competently prepare to find work. They are not the only things you need to pay attention to, but for purposes of being fully prepared, they are vital. The four areas of focus are your Resume, your Intro Letter, your Leads, and your Interview Preparation.
1. Your RESUME -Your resume is a direct reflection of you. Aside from your personal appearance, nothing can do a better job of representing who you are, what you know, and where you've been than a well-prepared resume. Regardless of the type of job you are applying for, put in the time to create a good resume. The biggest mistake job searcher make with their resumes is creating a job description for each position you've held. Absolutely list the positions you've held, and maybe the core responsibility, but give your accomplishments in that position the most prominence.
2. Your INTRODUCTION LETTER -Besides your resume, your introduction letter will be one of the hardest steps to accomplish. Why? Because it needs to be short, complete, interesting, and short. The harsh truth is that people don't read letters in their entirety anymore. So if you have something important to say, say it in the first sentence. To be complete, make sure you include a brief overview of your experience (and with whom if the company is known brand), as well as your accomplishments and how they will relate to the position you are applying for. The last thing you want your letter to be is just a short version of your resume. Keep it interesting
3. Your LEADS -Who you are contacting and talking to is as important as what you're saying to them, which includes what you say in your resume and your introduction letter. The logical flow of initial job search contacts are people in your immediate network - family, friends, and associations. After that it's your extended network, and then the network that you are creating as you go about finding employment.
What job searchers tend to forget is that your network can forget about you too. Because people forget, it's up to you to prepare and follow a contact flow that defines who you will contact, and when, as well as what you will say to them once they're on the line. This may sound like a lot of effort for such a small step but the fact remains that people forget, and your next job depends on them remembering that you're still looking. The key question you want to ask every person you contact is - "Who do you know that...works for company X (or in the X industry); knows someone who works at company X; used to work at company X?" And so on. The secret to success is to keep asking...everyone.
4. Your INTERVIEW PREPARATION -Your interview is the decision point for both you and your prospective employer. There are many strategies and approaches to an interview. You need to decide which approach is best for you. For starters, write down your possible response to an employer question that asks, "Tell me about yourself." This is one the most difficult questions to answer if you are unprepared. Because it's an open-ended question, you run the risk of saying too much or not enough, or sharing irrelevant information, or missing the opportunity to highlight what skill or attribute makes you the perfect choice for the job. Additionally, practicing your responses to standard interview questions will also help you stay focused and also let you, again, highlight exactly why you're the right person for the job. Practice your "Tell me about yourself," response with a friend or trusted advisor. Ask for feedback. Did it sound natural? Real? Interesting? You need to know.
4.5. This LAST STEP isn't really a step but a series of suggestions. Sometimes the best thing to do is just Google some key words that will generate some additional ideas. Phrases like "how to interview," "job interview tips," as well as "how to get a job," should give you enough additional information to add to the above steps.
Good Luck .
There are some people who actually mail out hundreds of resumes (otherwise known as the scatter-shot approach) and respond to Craigslist ads. These are not a solid plan to find a job. If you really want to know how to get a job, master the four areas outlined below.
These four key areas will help you to competently prepare to find work. They are not the only things you need to pay attention to, but for purposes of being fully prepared, they are vital. The four areas of focus are your Resume, your Intro Letter, your Leads, and your Interview Preparation.
1. Your RESUME -Your resume is a direct reflection of you. Aside from your personal appearance, nothing can do a better job of representing who you are, what you know, and where you've been than a well-prepared resume. Regardless of the type of job you are applying for, put in the time to create a good resume. The biggest mistake job searcher make with their resumes is creating a job description for each position you've held. Absolutely list the positions you've held, and maybe the core responsibility, but give your accomplishments in that position the most prominence.
2. Your INTRODUCTION LETTER -Besides your resume, your introduction letter will be one of the hardest steps to accomplish. Why? Because it needs to be short, complete, interesting, and short. The harsh truth is that people don't read letters in their entirety anymore. So if you have something important to say, say it in the first sentence. To be complete, make sure you include a brief overview of your experience (and with whom if the company is known brand), as well as your accomplishments and how they will relate to the position you are applying for. The last thing you want your letter to be is just a short version of your resume. Keep it interesting
3. Your LEADS -Who you are contacting and talking to is as important as what you're saying to them, which includes what you say in your resume and your introduction letter. The logical flow of initial job search contacts are people in your immediate network - family, friends, and associations. After that it's your extended network, and then the network that you are creating as you go about finding employment.
What job searchers tend to forget is that your network can forget about you too. Because people forget, it's up to you to prepare and follow a contact flow that defines who you will contact, and when, as well as what you will say to them once they're on the line. This may sound like a lot of effort for such a small step but the fact remains that people forget, and your next job depends on them remembering that you're still looking. The key question you want to ask every person you contact is - "Who do you know that...works for company X (or in the X industry); knows someone who works at company X; used to work at company X?" And so on. The secret to success is to keep asking...everyone.
4. Your INTERVIEW PREPARATION -Your interview is the decision point for both you and your prospective employer. There are many strategies and approaches to an interview. You need to decide which approach is best for you. For starters, write down your possible response to an employer question that asks, "Tell me about yourself." This is one the most difficult questions to answer if you are unprepared. Because it's an open-ended question, you run the risk of saying too much or not enough, or sharing irrelevant information, or missing the opportunity to highlight what skill or attribute makes you the perfect choice for the job. Additionally, practicing your responses to standard interview questions will also help you stay focused and also let you, again, highlight exactly why you're the right person for the job. Practice your "Tell me about yourself," response with a friend or trusted advisor. Ask for feedback. Did it sound natural? Real? Interesting? You need to know.
4.5. This LAST STEP isn't really a step but a series of suggestions. Sometimes the best thing to do is just Google some key words that will generate some additional ideas. Phrases like "how to interview," "job interview tips," as well as "how to get a job," should give you enough additional information to add to the above steps.
Good Luck .
