It’s tough out there. The job market is growing more competitive every year. In good economic times job searching can be a challenge, and your job hunt can be next to impossible in bad economic times; everyone knows that. Practical advice is something we could all use while we are using job search engines and employment websites looking for that right job. Here is some career advice you can use to increase your chances of getting that perfect job.
Do not blend in! With high unemployment, employers have never had so many great choices of candidates for their open positions so they can afford to be a bit more selective than usual. Writing a resume that can grab your potential employer is a must. You don’t want to drown in the vast sea of qualified candidate. The way you stand out is highlighting your resume skills to show employers you can do the job.
Search for jobs you are qualified to do. Focus on what you are good at even if you don’t have all the formal education to write on your resume. Let’s say you are good at math. Why not try your hand at accounting or bookkeeping. Try expanding your job search to include more then just your professional skills or formal education. Make a realistic assessment of what you’re on the job and off the job qualification are. But initially, you want to spend most of your time and effort applying to the job postings and position descriptions that best match your professional experience and education.
Make job search engines, career search websites, and internet search engines like Google and Yahoo work for you. Have you ever Googled yourself? What if an employer is interested in your resume skills? Then he might Google your name to find out more about you. One could argue that it is unlawful or not fair practice to qualify or disqualify a job candidate based on what is uncovered in search results. But we live in a new world and your web presence can be a factor. Therefore, be sure that your potential employer likes what they find out about you online. Use the search engines to your advantage by using professional social tools like LinkedIn. If you use any social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter, be sure that your profiles present a positive image. If you participate in any clubs or organizations, having your name associated with professional groups related to your industry can be a big help in verifying your employment qualifications. This can also hold true if you have any hobby or job related activity you update on your own website.
When you identify job openings and post your resume to career sites, do not send a generic resume and cover letter to every company you apply to. Be sure to customize either your resume or the cover letter it for each company or job description. It takes a bit of effort, but this tells the potential employer that you are serious about working specifically for them. It also shows that you have taken the initiative and done some research into their company and position. Companies can tell if you are using the same resume for each job.
