The economy is struggling and the current employment situation is particularly grim. If you are looking for employment and expect to find the job of your dreams, you need to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and take advantage of all the tips and advice available. Read this article to learn all about the topic of employment.
Always dress to impress. Just one day of looking sloppy at work can create a lasting impression. Make sure that your clothing fits appropriately and is always clean and ironed. Also, remember to use the best hygiene and keep your hair styled and trimmed. Sticking to this rule will ensure that you consistently make a good impression.
Instead of accepting that you do not have what it takes to land a specific job, ask yourself what you can do to become a better candidate. For example, if you lack experience with a certain software program commonly used in your chosen field, look for online tutorials and how-to books. MIT and other prestigious universities offer a variety of free, non-credit online courses. Topics range from marketing research to XHTML, and completing the programs demonstrates your willingness to go the extra mile.
Don’t stop learning new skills ever. The technology in the workplace evolves all the time, as well as business practices. Keep abreast of these changes to maximize your employability. Take helpful classes and even seminars if you can. When you stay in the know, you’ll be more secure in your current job and more marketable if you want to look for new work.
Proofread your resume before going to a job interview. To ensure your resume is free of spelling or grammar errors, have a friend or family member look it over as well. Nothing makes a person seem worse at a job interview than a resume filled with careless errors. It could even prevent you from getting a job.
Join professional organizations that relate to your industry. This is a good way to get your name out there and to boost your business network. Your membership in a professional organization gives you additional credentials on your resume that may make a positive difference in a hiring manager’s decision to hire you.
When negotiating salary, never sell yourself short. Prepare yourself for this step by conducting extensive research on the job title, regional salary and other details of benefits before you enter into negotiations. If you are unaware of your worth relative to other candidates and workers, your salary may not reflect your true worth — possible to the tune of thousands of dollars per year!
If you are going to use someone as a reference for a job, make sure you give them the heads up. You don’t want to have a potential employer give someone a call, and they are not expecting it. This increases the likelihood that they will say something that could be damaging.
Remember when you go to a job interview to always dress professionally and make a good impression with what you wear. Even if the job is for a minimum wage or manual labor position, you will stand out from the crowd if you look good. You will have a better chance of getting a call back or actually landing the job when you look your best.
Send a thank you letter. A lot of people don’t do this, so if you use this one tip, you may put yourself ahead of the pack very quickly. Simply write a short letter thanking the person for their time, reiterating that you want the job, and reminding him or her of your unique qualifications.
Make sure you let your friends and acquaintances know that you are on the job search. They may know of openings in your field, or may be able to suggest contacts that you may not have thought of. Many a person has found a job this way, and you could be next!
Make sure that the voicemail on your phone sounds professional if you are giving your number to potential employers. Avoid loud background music and distracting noises. You should be clear about who you are and politely ask the caller to leave a message. Make sure that you return every call you receive promptly.
Always bring a list of references with you to a job interview. Make sure the information is up to date and that your references are expecting to be called. You need three references typically, so don’t list more than that. Include people who have been your superior, co-workers or even co-volunteers, if you must.
As was mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, the current state of the economy is grim and finding employment is extremely difficult. If you want to succeed, you need to learn as much as you possibly can and apply that knowledge aggressively. Use the great tips you’ve learned from this article to help you and never give up!
