The current economic downturn has resulted in an extremely bleak environment for employment. In order to survive in this economy and land the employment that you desire there are several tips and tricks you must utilize. This article is loaded with proven and effective employment advice, so read it very carefully.
Know how you will explain gaps in your work history. There are reasons anyone may have work gaps, and that is understandable. However, be ready to be asked about them during an interview and have an answer ready. That way, you look calm and prepared, as well as giving an answer you aren’t flustered about.
Even if you’re already seeking employment, it’s important to do well at your current job still. Your reputation can be sullied if you shirk your responsibilities. Your potential employers could hear about it as well. If you want to succeed, you must always give your all to what you do.
Before you go for your interview, do some research on the hiring company, about their line of business and their sales. Letting your interviewer know that you have done some research will show him your initiative in finding information and getting results. These are good characteristics of a dependable and resourceful employee that companies value.
Always ask for permission before providing someone’s name and contact information for a personal or professional reference. If your contact is caught by surprise by your would-be employer, he may not have time to give a positive, well-thought-out answer. You also run the risk of discovering that this person did not share enthusiasm for your performance, skills and abilities.
Do not always trust jobs you see on the Internet. While certain sites are safe, other sites, such as Criagslist, have many scammers that not only are false employers, but are looking to take your money. The best way to go job hunting is by asking people you can trust or by going to establishments to ask if they are hiring.
Your personal phone should be answered in a professional manner. This helps to give you a more professional look when an employer does call for an interview.
If your office is set up into cubicles be very lenient with how your employees set up their cubicles. This will allow them to put pictures up, and even to have a set up that makes them feel at home. As such, their productivity will go up, and your bottom line along with it.
Consider networking within your desired field. Networks, even very informal ones, allow you to corroborate with others who have the same skills and goals that you do. Make it a point to join in wherever you can in in your industry with the help of job seminars, networking meetups and anything else you come across. As such, you can become a go to guy in your industry.
As an older job seeker, you should only include the most pertinent of your experience on your resume. Don’t include more than fifteen years of experience, and don’t give dates. This information can be provided upon request. You could also outline more distant experience briefly in your cover letter or another area of your resume.
Be very clear about what kind of job you’re looking for before you begin job hunting. Many people get too caught up in looking for “a job” instead of for their dream job, and that causes them to apply for jobs that don’t fit them well. If you restrict your job hunt to jobs you would be excited about taking, you are more likely to find the right job for you.
Network, network, network! When looking for a job use all of your resources, including both business and personal contacts. Connect with anyone that is in the field you are in and use resources like LinkedIn to find other contacts, too. Submitting your resume and application via an inside track gives you an edge over the many people who submit via the standard practice.
While Linkedin and Facebook are both social networking sites, you need to keep in mind that Linkedin is more of a professional site. This means that you should have a clear, polished picture that can be used for your profile. A picture of you making silly faces would definitely not be appropriate.
Check out your interview location a day ahead of time. Is there a designated parking area for visitors? How do you get into the building? You can even check in the building to find where the office is. Lateness is truly offensive, so get there ten minutes early.
Uphold strict privacy settings on your social media profiles. Companies will be viewing your profiles as well as your resume when you begin to seek employment. Keeping your profile private will allow you to control what can or can’t be seen by the employer. A silly photo or embarrassing post could be responsible for not landing the job.
When writing your resume, always do your best to accentuate the positive aspects of your career. Try to show the value in what you have to offer a potential employer. Always disclose important negative information, but the highlights of your resume should put a positive spin on any negative aspects.
Staying organized will help you when it comes to online job searches. Keep a list of every job you apply for and the date you applied. Also keep a list of the companies which have called you back, those which you’ve interviewed for and those which you’ve turned down a job with and why.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, the current employment environment is very bleak. In order to beat the odds and survive through these difficult times you must be willing to educate yourself. Take advantage of all the great tips and advice you’ve read about and apply it. Good luck!
