Job seekers, particularly those just finishing school, have a lot more control over their situations than they acknowledge. Even in a competitive economy, there are steps to take to help land a new job successfully Check these off your list to get on the road to job search success!
1. Apply for the right jobs. Study job descriptions and highlight the parts describing you.
2. Research companies seeking your skills. Use LinkedIn’s Skills section to help choose suitable organizations.
3. Create and cultivate a professional online presence. Jobvite’s 2011 Social Job Seeker Survey reports 89 percent of companies will use social networks as part of their hiring plans this year. Consider creating and maintaining your own professional website like a social resume.
4. Network in person. Join professional organizations (many will have student or new professional rates) and attend events where you can expect to meet prospective hiring managers and mentors.
5. Practice your pitch. Be able to tell people what you do, why it’s important to them, and about your accomplishments. Narrow down these talking points to a 30-second introduction.
6. Transform your resume into a marketing document. It is not about your past, it’s about the connection between what you can do and what the organization needs you to do.
7. Act like a professional. You never know where you could meet a potential hiring manager.
8. Be a good listener, ask questions to learn about networking contacts, and follow up. Don’t answer your phone or check your text messages or email when involved in conversations.
9. Don’t act like a desperate job seeker. No matter how difficult the job search, always focus on your skills and be positive.
10. Use your time well. Consider volunteering or creating a interim business.
Read all of the detailed tips on my U.S. News & World Report post.
photo by Srikanth Lakshmanan