Job-Seeking Tips From The Experts
Looking for a job? That's work - hard work and no one will tell you differently.
Asked to provide tips for job seekers, a panel of almost a dozen job-finding professionals all stressed that looking for work is a full-time job and should be approached as such. They all suggest devoting full days to the task and approaching it with the same degree of professionalism you would give to a paying job in your chosen field.
A few common suggestions emerged. Most experts emphasized the importance of networking and of following up after the interview. They also stressed that it pays to be thorough in all aspects of the search.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
There are some simple things you can do to get you started and to keep you focused. If you need help with job-hunting preparation and organizational skills, you should check out tips from the following experts:
RESUMES
It's the key to finding a job. A good resume will open many doors and one that is properly targeted to your strengths will help you make a better match. But it is also the first test for applicants. A poorly-organized resume or one with spelling errors will eliminate you immediately. Your resume also can target you as old and outdated or new and inexperienced.
For help with preparing a good resume, check out these tips:
INTERVIEWS
If you are lucky enough to snag an interview, you need to be at your best. This is where fashion comes in. You will need to dress in a professional manner, suited to the job you are seeking. You also will need to do your homework about the company you are seeking to join and practice ways to put your best ideas into words.
The following experts have some advice on how to prepare for and handle job interviews:
ENTRY-LEVEL WORKERS
There are a few things to keep in mind if you are just starting out and looking for your first full-time job. For example, is your voicemail and e-mail address professional or is it something you made up with your college friends?
To help you navigate from the classroom to the world of work, we have these tips:
OLDER WORKERS
Likewise, older workers have a different set of challenges. They need to conquer stereotypes that they are out-of-date and lacking in technology skills.
There are ways to tailor your resume and your job-hunting skills to put these bogeymen to rest. Here are some of them:
ADJUSTING TO UNEMPLOYMENT
If you are out of work for the first time in your life, there's a lot you have to keep in mind. You need to scale back on expenses, keep up with savings and make sure that you and your family have the health insurance you need.
To help you as you adjust to these circumstances, the experts have these tips:
MENTORING
Mentoring can be a valuable experience for the experienced worker seeking new opportunities as well as the young staffers looking for experience in a chosen field. Deborah Radman has some suggestions for how to start and conduct a mentoring relationship.