Being unemployed is depressing whether you are fresh out of college or a seasoned worker. Especially in this economy, you need all the help you can get finding a job. The following article is full of useful tips that can help you finally land a job and get your life in order.
If you are between jobs, make the most of this time. Instead of allowing yourself to fee; bored and distressed, take the initiative to become more productive. For example, you might volunteer with a local adult literacy program, teach senior citizens about Medicare coverage or lead workshops at a center for small businesses. You will gain valuable experience, preserve your sanity and possibly expand your network.
After you go on your interview, make sure that you follow-up on the status. This means that you should send emails to the company asking whether or not a decision has been made on your employment. This shows that you are persistent, which is a quality that companies love in employees.
Your resume is important, but it is not the only aspect of getting a job. It should be updated regularly and kept to a current style. A resume alone won’t get you hired. Employers look for enthusiastic and dedicated people that can help their business go in new directions. Figure out what you’re good at, and be sure to highlight these things.
While it is nice to have connections, remember that you should never think that someone else will get a job for you. You are your own best representative. Work hard to make your dreams happen. If you sit back and hope things will fall into place, they probably will not.
Try doing a practice interview before you go to interview for a new job. Have a friend or family member play the role of the interviewer. This will help you be prepared when you go to your interview. It will also help you remain calm and collected when you are at your interview because you are better prepared.
When looking for work, make sure you have a LinkedIn account created and fill out your profile in full. Even if you are not “into” social media this is important. Many companies use LinkedIn as a vetting system prior to calling someone in for an interview. If you don’t have a profile, you may never get that first step through the door.
As you search for a steady job, remember that you can pick up some extra work on the side. Nearly everyone has a skill that they can put to use. Try freelance writing, lawn work, or buying things to sell at a profit. The only limits to your options are the ones you put on them, so be creative!
Always do some background research on the employer you are interested in. You should read through the official website of your potential employer and look for reviews written by their customers or employees. If you find negative reviews or employees complaining about this employer, you should keep looking until you find a more reliable employer.
Don’t lie on your resume about your skill sets. You may feel like you need to stretch the truth to open doors, but more often than not your lack of the skills, in reality, will be found out pretty easily by a savvy interviewer. Instead, teach yourself the skills you need to know to make you more attractive to hiring companies.
If you are having a hard time with your resume, use a template from the Internet. You can find various templates for each business sector online. Find a template that focuses on the information you would like to highlight on your resume.
Dress for success. For better or worse, your appearance is the first impression you will make on your interviewer. Make sure you dress appropriately, and are neatly groomed. It is better to risk being over-dressed than to risk appearing too casual. Whenever possible, avoid wearing any jeans, shorts, or t-shirts.
Call your references. This is important for a few reasons. The first is that they need to be warned that they may be called, plus you should let them know what sort of skills they should be highlighting. Second, their number or email address may have changed, so you need that update.
Prior to going to an interview, do your homework on the company. A lot of companies will have a website that gives you the basics of what they do. You can bring up information about the company and ask questions during the interview. This basic research goes a long way towards impressing interviewers.
It’s no fun being unemployed; days go by with bills piling up and you feel less and less useful. Use the above tips to reorganize your employment strategy and get back into the working world. It will take time and effort, but eventually your efforts will finally pay off for you.
