Organize Your Job Search
One of the best ways to find a job is to plan your search. That's where this post comes in: it offers an overview of the steps you can take to look for jobs in a smart and efficient way.
Here are just some of the topics we cover:
>* What template should you use when applying?
>* Which websites are most useful for finding vacancies?
>* What can you do during your breaks from looking for work?<
We hope that this article will help you organize your job search and finish your hunt more quickly, with more satisfaction.
Primary Recources
Here are the main sources that we suggest you use for your job search:
>* Job Site. Type in your resume to online job sites. In addition to CareerBuilder and Monster, there are specialized sites for jobs in government, nonprofit organizations, medical positions, etc. You can also find vacancies on industry-specific sites (e.g., www.censusjobs.gov).
>* Networking. Make an effort to meet people and do useful things so when it comes time to talk about what you've been up to, you have lots of juicy information about volunteer work and other experiences that make you an attractive candidate for the position you want.
>* Search Engine. Conduct a broad, internet search to find more possibilities of finding job vacancies.
>* Referral from an Employer. Because employers do know what you can do, many will ask you to recommend someone with the skills you want and then make it possible for her to interview for the position you want. This is a great way for you to get some experience performing the skills that sound great on paper and to put your best foot forward in an interview.
Suggested Reading:
Jobs For Dummies by Hirst, DeHart-Davis & Jones ( Jobs Dummies Series) E-book Available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0470301928?vi=glance
How to Answer the Toughest Interview Questions: From What Are Your Strengths to Why Did You Leave, Proven Answers That Let You Reach the Next Round (Peterson's Job Interview Guides) E-book Available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1579229242?vi=glance
>* Resume. Arrange your resume so you can use it and adapt it as needed for each job application you do. By developing a template, you'll save time and be able to tailor your resume for each opportunity.
>* Résumé Cover Letter. You don't want to waste precious time writing a resume that will be thrown in the trash. So, design a cover letter that highlights your strengths and mentions the position you're applying for and how those qualifications are relevant to the career you're going after.
>* LinkedIn Profile. Create an online resume that's visible through LinkedIn . You'll learn more about what skills you have and why you're worth hiring. Plus, it lets recruiters and hiring managers find out more about you—and they can do so without competing with hundreds of other applicants for the same job opening.
>* Linkedin Profile Research: Asking Questions. Show that you're interested in the job and know how to research and answer the questions recruiters ask. If a company asks, "What were your responsibilities at XYZ Company?" be sure to include your answers in your profile.
>* LinkedIn: Searching Jobs. Use LinkedIn's advanced searching features to find job openings, not just ads for jobs. To do that, go to www.linkedin.com/jobs (or click on Jobs from LinkedIn's home page). You can also look for postings without being connected to a company. Simply type in your search terms, such as "marketing position." (See the Resources and References section for more tips on using LinkedIn.)
>* Monster Board . Get online access to the information about job openings that employers post on their employment boards.
>* Careers at Dummies: Job Search in a Nutshell. This concise guide offers sound advice from experienced career counselors and outlines the types of jobs and the skills needed for each position. (Dummies career-coaching series) E-book Available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/061519395X?vi=glance
Resources and References
Job Search Tools: Your online resource for free job search tools, message boards, blogs and general resources that will help you find your dream job. Job Search Online: http://jobsearchonline.org
To see how Job Search Online can be a great asset in your job search, check out this post on the blog.
How to Get Hired Online by eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how_6364091_get-hired-online.html
I recently read this very useful resource on how to get a job online! The information there should help you in your job search. Good Luck!
Job-Specific Resume Templates: http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-resumes/job-specific-resume-templates?site=HIRES&country=US&querytype=ResumeCompany&brand=JCIL&on_site_page=TEMPLATES
Go to the Careers section of CareerBuilder and then look under "Jobs" for their Job Specific Resume Templates. In addition, they have also created resume templates for specific careers like marketing, engineering, healthcare and more.
>* Finding a Job on eHow.com: http://www.ehow.com/how_5036007_finding-job.html
I recently read this post and there are some really great tips in it. From writing an effective cover letter to finding job vacancies, I encourage you to give that post a read!
>* State of the American Workplace Report 2007 by the Families and Work Institute: http://familiesandwork.org/site/DocServer/2007_Report_ExecSumm_FINAL_.pdf?docID=1091
I read this report awhile ago for an assignment and found it to be extremely interesting. The report is about the workplace in America (duh!) and what kinds of things Americans can expect for their careers in the future. It's a good source of information on things like: the difference between full-time and part-time employees, how many jobs have been lost since 2007 and why, along with other interesting facts.
>* Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week : http://jobsearchonline.org/blog/top-10-companies-hiring-this-week/
There are several websites that post current job openings on their site.
Conclusion:
I hope these resources can be of help to you. Remember, if you find a job opportunity, then you have the potential of finding something that can be a great fit for you and your schedule. I hope this post has helped guide you in your quest to finding something new! Happy Job Hunting!
>* Finding a Job Using Twitter: http://www.ehow.com/how_5035894_finding-job-twitter.html
This is an article in which was recently published on eHow, in which there are some good tips on how to use Twitter as a tool for job hunting .
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Organize Your Job Search