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