The economy is in a current state of turmoil. The number of citizens without a job is high and people are facing reduced employment hours or worse. If there is any time when a job is needed, this is it. Keep reading for tips that can help you get a job.
Use social media to build and define your online presence. More employers are starting to factor in candidates’ public profiles on the most popular sites, which include Facebook and Twitter. Update your privacy settings to ensure that any questionable images, updates and links are not visible to people outside of your network. Do not forget to change visibility settings for photos that have been posted by your friends.
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.
Go the extra mile to make things easier for your boss. For example, if you know that your boss likes to have coffee when he arrives in the morning it is a great gesture to ensure that a pot is ready when he usually arrives. Little things like that can decide how you are perceived by your boss.
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.
If you have a tough interview coming up, engage in at least one practice interview with someone who you respect. This can be with a teacher or a member of your family, so that you can prepare for the pressure of the actual interview. This will help to alleviate stress on the big day.
Always make sure that the job that you are applying for is feasible from a location perspective. Often, you may want to just take the first job that is available to you, but you do not want to drive 100 miles to get to and from your job each day.
When you are applying to companies online and they respond to you, make sure that you get in touch with them immediately to set up an interview. Rarely will a company wait on you, as you will need to take the initiative to get this done. This will help to set yourself up for an interview and potentially your next long term job.
Learn how to translate your job skills. There have been several industries that have taken substantial hits, and they will not be recovering anytime soon, so you may have to look outside of your field for some opportunities. Furthermore, keep track of which fields have grown recently. Using this knowledge can help you see how your skills can be translated for these growing opportunities. You can also use apprenticeships, internships, and some part-time transition roles.
It is not only important to answer questions during an interview, but to ask them as well. This shows employers that you are interested in the company. Questions about the company itself, the position, benefits and other issues you would like to know about are important to ask while in the interview.
Keep in mind that finding a good job can take some time. Do not give up if you are not finding what you want right away. Consider taking a job that pays well even if this is not what you want to do so you can support yourself while looking for a better job.
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.
When you are creating a resume, try to include some of the key words that the job you are applying to is looking for. Sometimes, companies will weed out resumes based on these words, as it is a very easy way to get the call for an interview through your resume.
You have the tools and the information to help you land a job in this era of economic crisis, so you it to your advantage. Having a job means that you can provide for yourself and your family members. There’s a job waiting for you right now, so get out there and find it!
