Top 5 tips to find a new job

Congrats, you are finally graduated from your University. The only snag is where and how to find a new job corresponding to your studies? Here are some tips for you.

Well-presented and coherent resume and cover letter

First of all, make sure to have a correct and coherent resume and cover letter. State explicitly there why you are the best candidate for a given job offer. In other words, “be clear”. Ask an advice from an expert if needed be to correct some mistakes there in. Information has to be coherent in the resume and the cover letter. Before writing them down, read the job description and carefully target it to your desire to work in the company. Go online or on TV and try to discover what is the job seeker searching for as well as key elements that ca be discussed during a probable interview.

Searching scrupulously

Depending on studies you have followed, you can start researches. Job application may not be directly answered a few days after the deposit. Nevertheless, you will need to be patient and keep on searching. There are hundreds of websites on the Internet that can provide you with job offers that can meet your needs and requirements. Search on newspapers, keep connected with friends and ask them if there is an offer somewhere that may be interesting for you.

Use social networks

Social networks can work for both personal and professional use. Get involved in professional social networks, participate in forums and do not hesitate to show your degree and competences off. Networking is considered to be the number one in networking strategy. Sooner or later, you will receive an answer from a recruiter. You can also use options such as online notification to remind and alert you of a job offer.

Do what it takes to stand out among the crowd

Human resources boards receive and have to read about hundreds of resumes per day. They do not have enough time to read them carefully. Due to this situation then, you have to find ways to make your resume stands out from others. Copy paste from the Internet can be a real danger.  Online models are quite the same and using them is giving HR chances not to read yours. Moreover, target your documents (letter of application and cover letter) to the special job you are applying for. Make sure it does not contain error. You can also call the employer and share your excitement and enthusiasm concerning the job offer.

Be confident and don’t give up

Take this last tip in your heart. You may have tried everything but the future still remains unopened. Getting discouraged can happen to everyone and especially to students searching for their first or their new job. Looking for a job is a competitive market. If you give up too early, you are loosing the trade. Even if many people are lacking of motivation and initiate, let it be not you.  Perseverance is important in any field of life.

Top Ten Ways To Make Yourself More Employable

Whether you work with computer databases or on a construction site, the job market over the past five years has been more than challenging. Having to trawl through hundreds of job listings, applying for positions that thousands of other applicants have applied for and never getting a response, it can be soul destroying. But don’t be disheartened, the job market is really starting to look alive, and there are proactive steps you can take to make yourself more employable.

Check out the top ten things you can do to make yourself more employable.

#1 Improve your knowledge

The wisest people are those that never stop learning – those that are never too arrogant to believe they know it all. If you’re in the market for a job but are still on the shelf then it’s time to go back to school, whether it’s a short course, an apprenticeship or part-time education, it all counts towards making you more awesome and more employable. All new skills tend to have the ability to open doors in your chosen career path.

#2 Get more experience

You could have tens of years’ experience in your field or be new to the game but either way, more experience is always going to be better than less. So think outside the box, if you’re new to the job market, seek out for junior positions and internships, if you’re a veteran then gain experience that’s outside your comfort zone. It shows that you’re proactive and willing to go above and beyond.

Networking Tips

1. Two-thirds of all jobs are secured via the networking process. Networking is a systematic approach to cultivating formal and informal contacts for the purpose of gaining information, enhancing visibility in the market, and obtaining referrals.

2. Effective networking requires self-confidence, poise, and personal conviction.

3. You must first know the companies and organizations you wish to work for. That will determine the type of network you will develop and nurture.

4. Focus on meeting the “right people.” This takes planning and preparation.

5. Target close friends, family members, neighbors, social acquaintances, social and religious group members, business contacts, teachers, and community leaders.

6. Include employment professionals as an important part of your network. This includes headhunters and personnel agency executives. They have a wealth of knowledge about job and market conditions.

7. Remember, networking is a numbers game. Once you have a network of people in place, prioritize the listing so you have separated top-priority contacts from lower-priority ones.

8. Sometimes you may have to pay for advice and information. Paying consultants or professionals or investing in Internet services is part of the job search process today, as long as it’s legal and ethical.

9. Know what you want from your contacts. If you don’t know what you want, neither will your network of people. Specific questions will get specific answers.

10. Ask for advice, not for a job. You should not contact someone asking if they know of any job openings. The answer will invariably be no, especially at higher levels. You need to ask for things like industry advice, advice on geographic areas, etc. The job insights will follow but will be almost incidental. This positioning will build value for you and make the contact person more comfortable about helping you.

11. Watch your attitude and demeanor at all times. Everyone you come in contact with is a potential member of your network. Demonstrate enthusiasm and professionalism at all times.

12. Keep a file on each member of your network and maintain good records at all times. A well-organized network filing system or database will yield superior results.

13. Get comfortable on the telephone. Good telephone communication skills are critical.

14. Travel the “information highway.” Networking is more effective if you have email, fax, and computer capabilities.

15. Be well prepared for your conversation, whether in person or over the phone. You should have a script in your mind of how to answer questions, what to ask, and what you’re trying to accomplish.

16. Do not fear rejection. If a contact cannot help you, move on to the next contact. Do not take rejection personally - it’s just part of the process.

17. Flatter the people in your network. It’s been said that the only two types of people who can be flattered are men and women. Use tact, courtesy, and flattery.

18. If a person in your network cannot personally help, advise, or direct you, ask for referrals.

19. Keep in touch with the major contacts in your network on a monthly basis. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

20. Don’t abuse the process. Networking is a two-way street. Be honest and brief and offer your contacts something in return for their time, advice, and information. This can be as simple as a lunch, or offering your professional services in return for their cooperation.

21. Show an interest in your contacts. Cavette Robert, one of the founders of the National Speakers Association, said, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Show how much you care. It will get you anywhere.

22. Send thank-you notes following each networking contact.

23. Seek out key networking contacts in professional and trade associations.

24. Carry calling cards with you at all times to hand out to anyone and everyone you come in contact with. Include your name, address, phone number, areas of expertise, and/or specific skill areas.

25. Socialize and get out more than ever before. Networking requires dedication and massive amounts of energy. Consistently work on expanding your network.

Job Searching Tips

1. Develop a team of people who will be your board of directors, advisors, and mentors. The quality of the people you surround yourself with will determine the quality of your results.

2. Plan a marketing strategy. Determine how many hours a week you will work, how you’ll divide your time, and how you’ll measure your progress. Job searching is a business in itself nd a marketing strategy is your business plan.

3. Identify 25 (50 would be better) companies or organizations that you would like to work for.

4. Contact the companies, or do some research, to identify hiring authorities.

5. Define your network. Make a list of everyone you know including relatives, friends, acquaintances, family doctors, lawyers, accountants, religious leaders, politicians. Virtually everyone is a possible networking contact.

6. Prioritize your list of contacts into three categories: 1) Strong, approachable contacts, 2) good contacts or those who must be approached more formally, and 3) those who you’d like to contact but can’t without an introduction by another party

7. Set up a filing system or database to organize and manage your contacts.

8. Develop a script or letter for the purpose of contacting the key people in your network, asking for advice, information, and assistance. Then start contacting them.

9. Attempt to find a person, or persons, in your network who can make an introduction into one of the 25 or 50 companies you’ve noted in number 3.

10. Spend 65 to 70 percent of your time, energy, and resources networking because 65 to 70 percent of all jobs are secured by this method.

11. Consider contacting executive recruiters or employment agencies to assist in your job search.

12. If you are a recent college graduate, seek out assistance from the campus career center and lecturers.

13. Scout the classified advertisements in the daily newspapers and job sites. Respond to ads that interest you, and look at other ads as well. A company may be advertising for a position that does not fit your background, but say in the ad they are “expanding in the area,” etc. You have just identified a growing company.

14. Seek out advertisements and job opportunities in specific trade journals and magazines.

15. Attend as many social and professional functions as you can. The more people you meet, the better your chances are of securing a position quickly.

16. Send out CVs with customized cover letters to targeted companies or organizations. Address the cover letter to a specific person. Then follow up.

17. Target small to medium-sized companies. Most of the opportunities are coming from these organizations, not large corporations.

18. Use online services. This is the wave of the future.

19. If your plan is not working, meet with members of your support team and change the plan. You must remain flexible and adaptable to change.

20. Read and observe. Read magazines and newspapers and listen to televised business news and programmes, and so on. Notice which companies and organizations are on the move and contact them.

21. Set small, attainable, weekly goals. Keep a weekly progress report on all your activities. Try to do a little more each week than the week before.

22. Stay active. Exercise and practice good nutrition. A job search requires energy. You must remain in superior physical and mental condition.

23. Volunteer. Help those less fortunate than you. What goes around comes around.

24. Cultivate a positive, confident and high self-esteem. This will radiate to the people you meet, increasing your chances of landing a job. Remain hopeful and do not let despair wear you down

25. Dress smartly and modestly when meeting your contacts, visiting companies and during interviews. This will project a professional outlook and increase your desirability to potential employers. The second hand market offers good quality clothes at discounted prices.

26. Don’t forget to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm when you are meeting with people, interviewing with them, and networking through them.