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.
Regardless of the position you are looking for, dress appropriately when visiting an employer. Your appearance and attire say a lot about who you are as an individual. Though a three-piece suit may not be necessary, keep a professional tone to any clothing you wear during your job search.
Being at the bottom level of any job is not easy. The goal of course is to always move up. To ensure that you are not stuck on the bottom always be on time, if not early. This will tell your employer that you are reliable, and he will then place more responsibility in your hands.
A great tip for any job is to have perfect attendance. When companies are looking to lay off workers they often times look at attendance. They’d rather not pay benefits to the no-shows, so they will be first to go. By showing up every day you protect your own wallet in the long run.
On whichever phone number you’re giving out on applications and your resume, don’t forget to have an answering machine. If a potential employer calls and you’re out at an interview, you’ll need to know who they were and how to reach them. Don’t forget to include a professional-sounding message, too.
Showcase your writing skills and creative abilities with a comprehensive, interesting portfolio. Even if you are not pursuing a career in writing or marketing, communication skills are critical in any profession. Your portfolio should include a variety of written documents, such as press releases, business reports, research findings and executive summaries. These demonstrate that you can communicate with others in a professional environment and formal context.
Check up on your references. It will be bad for an employer to call any of your references and find the information is no longer valid. Check with your references to make sure all of their contact information is accurate.
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.
If your work can be done either day or night offer flexible schedules. This will expand the pool of employees that you are choosing from, and whenever their are more candidates available, chances are better that you get better employees. This also will make your employee feel that they are more free to set their schedule and live their life as needed.
Great insurance benefits are a magnet that can draw in the best of the best. With rising healthcare costs, and rising premiums, a great insurance policy can steal away the best employees from your competition. Be sure to be known for this, and it will pay for itself in the long run.
Although you may be unemployed, right off the bat, you will need to make finding a job your full-time job. Prepare yourself to devote at least forty hours a week to finding employment, and try to stick to a consistent schedule as much as possible. This will help you avoid falling into the ‘I’ll look for a job tomorrow’ trap.
If you are asked about your weaknesses during a job interview, try to be as positive as possible in your answer. For example, don’t say, “I’m very disorganized.” Say something about how you are more focused on being flexible than on organization but that you use tools to keep yourself organized anyway.
When searching for a job online, it’s always a good idea to make sure you utilize the good tools you find to build your resume. You’re going to need the help when it comes to how competitive the market is online. You need to think of ways your resume can stand out and grab people’s attnetion.
Take the cash out for sick and vacation days if it is offered. If you want to earn as much as you can at this stage in your career this is a great way to do so. Remember that everyone does need a break from time to time, but not likely as much as you are given.
Let your online networks know that you’re on the job hunt. Post it to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, posting a link to your resume and some quick information about who you are and what you do. This will let others pass any job opportunities they find on to you quickly and easily.
Do not put anything you would not want your employer to see on the Internet. If you use social sites such as Facebook make sure that they are set to private. You would never want your boss to come across inappropriate photos or postings. Even if your site is private, still don’t put things up unless you want the world to see.
Be careful about who you put as references on your resume. For instance, it would not be wise to put down a past employer with whom you did not have a good relationship. Put down trustworthy friends or great past employers. Also, try to warm them that the company may call them.
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!
