The job-searching process can be excruciating. Going to countless interviews, or worse, applying for jobs and not hearing anything back, can be soul-crushing. You should not allow this to make you worthless, because the truth is you may be making miniscule mistakes that are causing you to fail in obtaining that job. Continue reading to learn great advice you may not be using during your job search.
When you’re looking for a job, make job searching your full time job. If you already have a job, take time out of each day to search as well. You won’t get anywhere if you only try to work for one or two places. Take your time and create a list of places to apply at each day.
When applying for a new job do not be shy about your financial needs. If you know you will only be paid around ten dollars, ask for about fifteen. This will tell your potential employer you feel you deserve more, and you may get lucky and get more than the average salary.
Make certain that you bring a list of your references with you on the day of the interview if you did not already list them on your resume. This list will help the interviewer get an idea of the person you are, as your references should include names and telephone numbers for follow-up.
Do not develop friendships with your boss or co-workers. Keep things as professional as possible and always stay on task. Friendships change the environment and can lead to problems. The more you network, the better.
Try not to listen to all the press about the dwindling job market and how difficult it is to find a job. This will only seek to discourage you. There are plenty of companies out there and many are hiring. While there may be more people looking for jobs, that simply means that you need to improve your resume and interviewing skills in order to stand out. Think positively.
When negotiating salary, never sell yourself short. Prepare yourself for this step by conducting extensive research on the job title, regional salary and other details of benefits before you enter into negotiations. If you are unaware of your worth relative to other candidates and workers, your salary may not reflect your true worth — possible to the tune of thousands of dollars per year!
If you are going to use someone as a reference for a job, make sure you give them the heads up. You don’t want to have a potential employer give someone a call, and they are not expecting it. This increases the likelihood that they will say something that could be damaging.
You should not use the same resume or cover letter to apply for different jobs. You should create your resume or cover letter in function of the position you want. Make sure you draw attention to relevant work experiences or specific skills that represent an advantage for the job you want.
If a full-time job is not readily available, consider working part-time as a contractor in your field for the time being. This may get your foot in the door with a company. Recruiters also do not like to see huge time gaps in an applicant’s employment history. So, working part-time can make that gap smaller.
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.
Remember that a job interview allows both, you and the interviewer to get to know each other. View the interview as an opportunity to see whether you would like to work for this company instead of worrying about whether the interviewer will want to hire you. This new perspective will help you relax so that you can perform your best during the interview.
On a job application or at a job interview, be sure to give a potential employer your cell phone number rather than your home phone number. This is especially true if you live with others who may forget to tell you the company called. It would be a shame to miss out on a great job because a family member forget to tell you the company called.
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.
A good finance tip you should know about if you’re self-employed is to always be on your toes when it comes to taxes. If you’re self-employed, you’ll want to set aside some money for taxes in the future. You don’t want to be hit with late fees or have to pay interest.
Hold a practice interview. Compile a list of common interview questions and enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member. Make sure they switch up which questions they ask and the order. With their help, you be confident that you will be prepared for anything the interviewer throws your way.
Do not use your social network pages to speak badly about past employers. Employers are sure to research the online persona of any potential employee. If you do not post any negative comments, you won’t have anything to worry about.
You now realize that finding a great job is an art. No matter how qualified you may be, you must do everything right in order to land this job. Now that you are armed with excellent job-searching advice, you can find and obtain that great job you have always wanted. Go and get it!
