Tips for job seekers

At one point or another, we all have evaluated our careers or thought about getting another job. Sometimes we have the unfortunate experience of being forced to get another job due to redundancy or other issues. Whatever the reason, when that happens we have to dust ourselves off and figure out how to get back in the game of job seeking. Here are some tips to get you through the challenge:

1. Look over your resume. I am often surprised when I meet serious professionals who do not have an updated resume or even a resume to begin with. However, it makes sense when you realize they have been working with the same place for their entire career and worked their way up. Or, depending on the industry they are in, the resume may not have been critical for them to land the job as opposed to who they knew and their experience. That being said, a resume is so important to have today. It is a snapshot of your career and you as a professional. Ensure that you include all your relevant education and experience and that it is short and sweet (1 to 2 pages please!). In addition, do not forget that cover letter. It allows you to briefly introduce yourself to the company and set you apart from your competition. A great resume gets your foot in the door because it leaves a great first impression. Make sure it is done well.
2. Practice the interview. So you got the call. Yay! Now you need to wow them in your interview. How do you do that? By being yourself of course, but by also being prepared. One of the most common interview questions is “tell us about yourself”, yet while many people know this, they do not prepare a response. Quick tip – keep the response concise and a good mix of you as a person and you as a professional. In general, be aware of how much you talk in the interview. Too brief and you can seem uninterested and as if you are not knowledgeable. Too much and you can lose the panel and it will feel like you are just rambling. Remember, your resume would have sold you based on your qualifications – they recognize that you can do the job. The interview will determine whether you can fit in with their organization.
3. Be consistent. They say searching for a job is a job in itself. It really is. When I was just out of school, I remember literally “pounding the pavement” and dropping in resumes to potential employers so I could land an internship. It eventually paid off. Nowadays, we can thankfully submit applications for employment via email, however you need to be consistent and keep at it. It is unlikely that you will get a call back if you send your resume to two employers in one month. It can happen, but to have a better chance you need to send out a few every week. It can be really rough out there so you have to put in the work, send out several applications and follow up. The hiring manager may be trying to narrow down the candidates, and calling to follow up can be the difference between whether you are in or out.

Looking for a job is tough. Hoping that these tips get you through the challenge and get you the job you deserve.

Happy hunting!

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