tips to help you be successful in your job search

interviewing​

• Go alone to a job interview, don’t take family or friends with you.
• Do your homework, learn names, and go the extra mile when you’re speaking with a new company.
• Dress appropriately for the job you are interviewing for.
• Don’t chew gum or eat candy during a job interview.
  
• When preparing for a job interview, remember they don’t owe you a job. They are in business, not to give you a job, but to make a profit. Show how you can add to the company’s success.
  
• Show up early for your job interview. If an emergency causes you to be late or miss the interview, call them and explain, hopefully they will give you another chance.
  
• Do you have a job interview coming up? Study the company you are going to go interview with, know who they are and what they do.

resume

• When filling out a job application Pay attention to details, don’t let the little things ruin your chances.
• A resume can have no typographical or spelling errors. Your grammar should be impeccable. Double check it before you submit it.
• When preparing a resume, the key importance is using the resume to highlight your education, skills, the professional challenges you faced in your work and how you turned them into accomplishments.
• Is your resume or application showcasing your strengths in the areas that seem to be most important to the company?
• Study the job description and any available information you have on the position you are applying for. Does your resume or application mirror the words and phrases in the job description?

references

• Previous managers may have new jobs now, so it can help you to keep in touch with them along the way.
• Review your network. Go back and review the people you’ve worked with before, can they help you in your job search now?
• Have a good list of references ready to give to the interviewer.
• Employers will interview people who come recommended or by way of a personal referral before they start going through the other applications or resumes. if you know someone at the company ask for a referral or a recommendation.
• Be sure your job references have given you permission to use their name for job applications.

social networking

• If you are a professional in a job search learn how to harness the power of LinkedIn. It’s one of the best resources we have available today for career and job search networking.
• Look for job leads in the newspapers and on online job listing sites.

job searching

• A friendly follow-up call with the recruiter will allow you to draw attention to your resume/application – which may be sitting unopened in an overflowing inbox – get your personality across, and begin to build a relationship with them.
• Look for job leads on the web sites of businesses. Most businesses have a career section on their web site.
• If you hear of a new business coming to the area, check out their web site, see what their hiring process is, some companies hire workers even before the business is open in the community.
• Former co-workers may be in a management position now and can help you with your job search.
• Reconnect with people from your career and find out if they can help you, or you can help them, down the road.
  
• If you know someone who already works at a company where you want to work, make contact with them. They may be able to give you a referral or help you with the hiring process.

general tips

• Don’t speak ill of a previous employer.
• Try Googling your name. See what your potential employer will see about you, if there are things that aren’t favorable, see if you can correct them or get them removed.
• If you have lost your job, don’t keep it a secret. Tell everyone you know that you are seeking a new career. You never know who may be able to give you the lead you need.
• Times have changed. You will be asked to do more online, from applications to assessment screenings. Be prepared.