The Right Equipment
Resume: If your resume has to be read for longer than 30 seconds, it either doesn't adequately highlight your skills and accomplishments, or it is an English teacher’s worst nightmare. In either case, you won’t be getting interviews, regardless of what field your job’s in. Always ask someone (preferably someone unrelated to you) to review your resume before you start sending it out.
Clothes make the (wo)man: You wouldn’t go swimming in a 3-piece suit, so don’t show up for an interview in a 2-piece bathing suit. When it comes to finding employment in your chosen field, make sure you invest in a good outfit and don’t forget about the shoes and accessories! If you can afford it, purchase two different outfits so that you don’t have to wear the same outfit should there be multiple rounds of interviewing.
It’s also a good idea to have multiple dress shirts or blouses so that if you spill coffee/ juice or a bagel with raspberry jam and cream cheese (yeah, been there, done that!) while running around in the morning, you’ll have an instant backup plan and won’t have to interrupt your job search!
Interviewing Skills: Before showing up, it’s helpful to search out, and prepare answers for, as many of the common interview questions as you can find. Knowing how to answer these questions will give you confidence and make a great impression on the interviewer. On your own, you should evaluate your skills, strengths, and weaknesses and fashion your answers to highlight them. Additionally, you should research the company, their products, services and culture so that you can demonstrate the desire to work for the company. Since so few people apply this step to their job search, this could give you the edge you need.
The Right Effort
In a down economy, it can be harder than ever to get noticed. When the economy rebounds, the skills learned here can be applied with even greater success. Remember, your skills no longer “speak for themselves”; you have to make people take notice and prove to them that they aren’t making a bad hiring choice, even if you’re only looking at local jobs with people you’ve known for 20 years.
Networking Events: In today’s job market, proper networking skills during your job search are critical to finding a job in any field. This is especially true for the creative and non-profit fields. Networking can lead to job interviews that are otherwise unavailable. First, build a list of your contacts, starting with your friends and family. After that, start adding colleagues. Many people are hosting “invite-only” networking parties locally as well. If there are none in your area, it may be a good idea to head one up yourself!
On-Campus Recruiting: This is one of the best ways to learn more about a company and see if you are a good fit for one another. Be wary of companies that promise “big money” opportunities, as they are almost certainly trying to take advantage of you. Finally, remember to coordinate interviews early in the school year so that “the good ones” aren’t all taken before you get to them.
Job Sites: This site can list a number of jobs in any field. By searching, you can find out what jobs are available and see which jobs you fit.
The Right Frame of Mind:
Managing Expectations: What is it that you’re expecting? The job market is more competitive than ever, and it’s likely to stay competitive; are you making sure that you stand out? After your interview, the recruiter will meet with 10 or 15 more candidates for the same position. What did you do to differentiate yourself from the pack?
Be Ever Diligent: Remember, Diligence does not mean over-working yourself, but are you putting forth your best effort consistently? Are you sending follow-up messages and thank you letters/cards to your interviewer? Remember that what you put into your job search is what you’re going to get out of it.
Communication: How are you presenting yourself? Are you showing confidence, or nervousness? Do you exude qualifications or job desperation? Remember, a firm handshake, eye contact, and speaking clearly can make all the difference in the world.