| When you're unemployed, you can waste a lot | | | | competition; what's more, they focus on jobs |
| of time learning the job search "rules of the | | | | where demand exceeds supply (think: nurses, |
| road". Here are 10 job seeking tips that can | | | | tech hotshots). Small businesses are more |
| help you hit the ground running. | | | | and more posting jobs on Craig's List, |
| | | | Monster and other job sites - they find them |
| 1. Be positive | | | | often cheaper, faster and easier than |
| | | | newspapers. For the job hunter, using |
| A positive mental attitude will make all the | | | | searches to target specific jobs and |
| difference. Don't reflect too much on the | | | | locations is a godsend. Time-saving sites |
| past, on the last job. What counts is the | | | | like let you do Google-like searches vs. job |
| present. This could be an opportunity in | | | | postings from many sites. |
| disguise. Focus on the future - your next job | | | | |
| - and make this a change for the better. | | | | 7. Tailor your resume and cover letter for |
| | | | each job |
| 2. It's a marathon, not a sprint | | | | |
| | | | The employer often mentions specific job |
| You may be lucky and find something new | | | | skills needed. If you have these skills, |
| quickly. But most likely, your job search | | | | make sure they can't be missed: tweak your |
| will take a while. Most likely it will be | | | | resume to highlight them. A little extra |
| months - not weeks - of effort to land your | | | | time will land your resume in the the |
| next job. Don't worry: it takes most people | | | | interview pile, not the reject pile. |
| this long, not just you. Meanwhile, pledge | | | | |
| to keep an even keel. Avoid the emotional | | | | 8. Play employer with your resume |
| roller coaster of getting too caught up in | | | | |
| the drama of every potential job. Conserve | | | | Look at your resume as a prospective employer |
| one of your strongest assets - a healthy | | | | would. Gaps in employment, frequent job |
| mental outlook. | | | | changes, etc. raise red flags for employers. |
| | | | Be prepared with answers for these likely |
| 3. Know thyself | | | | questions. |
| | | | |
| What type of job do you want? Why? And what | | | | 9. Interviews are an acquired skill |
| makes you qualified to get that job? Start | | | | |
| your job search looking inward - not outward. | | | | Your early interviews may not go as well as |
| | | | you hoped. Don't worry: you'll get better as |
| 4. If feasible, upgrade you | | | | you go along. Better yet - have a few |
| | | | practice interviews with a friend before the |
| This might be the time to take a few classes | | | | real thing. After a few times you'll be a |
| and upgrade your job skills. This need not | | | | veteran, and possibly better at it than the |
| be a long, costly endeavor. Selected | | | | person doing the interview! |
| computer classes at your local adult | | | | |
| education facility can help qualify you for a | | | | 10. Be yourself during the interview |
| better job. | | | | |
| | | | Disregard advice that you must "perform" |
| 5. Resumes. Cover letters. Oh my. | | | | during the interview - this will only make |
| | | | you tense and unnatural. Of course be |
| A job search requires new skills. You need to | | | | positive and professional. But be yourself. |
| know where to look for job postings, the ins | | | | If they don't like the real you, how happy |
| and outs of unemployment, how to write a | | | | would you be working there? Focus instead on |
| resume, how to write a cover letter, | | | | building rapport with the interviewer. If it |
| interviewing techniques, etc. There are many | | | | looks like you fit in - if you are someone |
| resources online to help you. Check for job | | | | they will enjoy working with day in and day |
| search organizations in your area that give | | | | out - you have answered their important |
| workshops on these topics. It's time well | | | | unasked questions. |
| spent. | | | | |
| | | | Looking for a job is no walk in the park. |
| 6. Online job sites are a great resource | | | | But you can do it. Follow these tips to keep |
| | | | positive and focused on the goal: your next |
| Newspaper job listings guarantee lots of | | | | job. |