1. Give your search 100 percent of your effort and commitment!
2. Get yourself
prepared for the hunt.
Set
aside a specific place as your “headquarters.”
Be ready to step in and make an immediate contribution without having
to go through a lengthy training period.
Familiarize yourself with the critical skills required for the jobs you
seek.
Decide which kind of job you really want before you do anything else -
take time to limit your choices.
Do some research, talk to people, work with a career counselor, or sample
different jobs by working as a temporary employee.
Be as objective as you can about your own marketability re competing in a
very tight market.
3. Create a winning resume by
stressing your skills, accomplishments and results.
Do more than
simply list your previous jobs and responsibilities. Focus on skills,
accomplishments and results that will be of interest to employers in the areas
you’ve targeted.
4. Use a variety of methods to
uncover job leads.
Network, read the classifieds
in numerous publications, work with a recruiter, or directly approach
companies that you identify as potential employers. Explore every avenue that
could produce a possible lead.
5. Be
deliberate in networking.
Call, write, or meet people
every day that you haven't yet contacted who may be able to tell you about a
job lead or introduce you to someone who could.
6.
Research and read about the fields you've targeted or the companies for which
you would like to work.
Read key
trade publications in the field and stay current on trends and issues in the
field.
7. “Sell”
yourself as a problem-solver.
Ask this question: "What do I
know or what am I able to do that can help this company be more successful?"
8. Remain
positive.
Accept rejection as part of
the process and don’t get mired down in feeling sorry for yourself. Exercise
daily to relieve stress and depression. Seek support from friends and family.
Take time off occasionally from your job search.
9. Consider
working as a temporary employee.
This does more than simply
allow you to earn money while you're searching for a full-time job. It can
help you develop new skills and expose you to different organizations,
opportunities and work environments. It may also lead to full-time employment.
10. Do your
homework before you interview.
Discover whatever you can
about the company you are interviewing with. Prepare yourself to talk about
what the company does and connect your skills and qualifications to the job
requirements.
11. Consider
the little things that can make a big difference.
Arrive
early.
Be impeccably and appropriately groomed and dressed.
Handle yourself professionally and courteously.
Keep your chin up, be positive, and make a confident and poised entrance.
12. Sell
yourself!
Be enthusiastic and positive.
Listen actively.
Make eye contact.
Give specific and sincere answers to questions and avoid the pitfall of giving
canned answers.
13. Negotiate
the best deal possible.
Look carefully at the
specifics of the offer.
Don’t jeopardize the offer by playing hardball, but see if the company will
work with you on the less appealing aspects of the offer.
