Everybody expects that their next job is going to be 40 hours a week or more. They know that they are going to have to get up early, get to work by a certain hour, and stay active, involved and productive for the entire day until quitting time comes around.
Why would anybody expect that getting a job should be easier than working at a job? If you don't know where to start in your job search, or how to be successful then follow these hints and tips.
Number 1 is that you have to be totally committed to not only getting a job, but to getting a job that will be the beginning of or an advancement in your career. You can rationalize that because of the bad economy those kinds of jobs are not out there but you may be kidding yourself and just setting yourself up for disappointment down the road. This is a big country and there is plenty of work being done in thousands of different areas that each require a different set of skills and experiences.
If your former job required you to be up at 6 a.m. and at your desk by 8 a.m. then do not change that pattern. You should be fully dressed looking as sharp and bright eyed as you can and out the door by 8 a.m. every day until you have accomplished your goal. If you choose to sleep-in and hang around the house all morning in your pajamas reading newspapers and thinking about what kind of job you'd like to have, then guess what, you're guaranteeing yourself that you'll be doing exactly the same thing tomorrow.
Is your resume as good as it possibly could be? Do you have only one version of your resume? Your resume must be laser targeted at the skills and experiences of the specific job that you are seeking. That does not mean that you have to lie or make things up. A lot of skills and experiences are transferable and can be explained in a way that relates to the new job. Big rule number 2 is to be sure that your resume focuses your accomplishments towards the job that you have targeted. If you cannot afford right now to have your resume crafted by a professional then hand it to a few people that you know who have the experience and the honesty to give you usable feedback.
You did not work alone so do not make your job search an army of one. Professional colleagues, co-workers, and business associates will provide you with leads and give you honest feedback without expecting anything in return. Everybody likes to give advice, and most people are willing to do so, even to a stranger. If you know of a person in your field who has the knowledge to give you some advice to set you off in the right direction then do not hesitate to ask them for it. If you ask for only five minutes of their time and let them know that ahead of time, go in with specific questions, and leave promptly at the fifth minute, you may be surprised at the actionable information you can get from such a brief meeting.
Volunteer you time at church and community organizations. You do not want to make this a substitute for your job search workday but getting involved in volunteer activities will expand your area of influence and even your industry knowledge if you are able to volunteer for an activity that is career related. Good things can happen from unexpected sources but only if you are putting yourself out there and getting involved.
Did you know that prospective employers will check your credit report and use your credit score as a proxy for good character? Be the smart job hunter that says I will check my credit score and fix it if I have to.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Boston
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