The current economic downturn has resulted in an extremely bleak environment for employment. In order to survive in this economy and land the employment that you desire there are several tips and tricks you must utilize. This article is loaded with proven and effective employment advice, so read it very carefully.
If you are in college, make sure that you go do as many internship as you can during the summers. This is vital as it will not only help to bolster your resume, but will get you used to the everyday life of someone who is working hard at a full time pace.
Create a reliable list of references. Almost every job application will have a spot for you to provide references. Streamline your application process by having your references and their contact information with you whenever you apply for a job or attend an interview. Try to have at least three references, and at minimum, include their job titles, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Remember that when you are at a job interview that you need to keep everything you say positive. Never speak badly of previous employers. This never reflects badly on your previous employer, it only reflects badly on you. If you do not have something good to say, then try to switch the subject.
As an older job seeker, you should only include the most pertinent of your experience on your resume. Don’t include more than fifteen years of experience, and don’t give dates. This information can be provided upon request. You could also outline more distant experience briefly in your cover letter or another area of your resume.
As trivial as it may seem, be sure you are getting enough rest the night before an interview. Most people simply do not function properly when they have not slept enough. This could affect your ability to answer questions the interviewer may ask you at your interview. You also do not want to appear haggard.
When submitting a resume to a potential employer, always submit a full resume. A tactic used by many people to cover up negative areas of employment is to write the cover letter in lieu of an actual resume. Most human resource professionals have seen this and will red flag any potential job seeker immediately. If you are doing this and wondering why you are not getting any interviews, this is probably the reason.
Employment
Regardless of the position you are looking for, dress appropriately when visiting an employer. The more professional you look, the more credibility you have. You do not need to dress to the nines, but you do need to look successful, even if you’re just filling out an application.
After you go on your interview, make sure that you follow-up on the status. This means that you should send emails to the company asking whether or not a decision has been made on your employment. This shows that you are persistent, which is a quality that companies love in employees.
When submitting a resume, you need to think about how to cover any gaps in employment. Gaps in employment, for whatever reason, can be viewed as a negative mark against your employment history. If they are long gaps, show how you have kept up to date within your industry. If they are shorter, explain any reasons for these gaps so they are not perceived in a negative light.
Be careful when using an agency to help you find a job. While there are many trustworthy employment agencies out there, there are also many looking to take your money. To find out if you can trust a specific agency, look them up on the BBB or head to the Internet to look for reviews.
Make sure you let all the parties involved know if you are using multiple employment agencies to find a job. There is nothing wrong with using more than one, but they need to be informed. This will help to keep them from duplicating efforts by submitting you multiple times for the same position.
Get involved in creating corporate culture in your office. Everyone is happier in their employment when they are closer with their colleagues, so volunteer some of your time to create activities where you and your peers can meet and learn about each other. You’ll find your time at work will be that much more enjoyable!
Networking can be a very useful tool in your search for a job. Rather than keeping your head buried in the newspaper, tell everyone you know you are available for employment. Don’t limit yourself to a specific field; keep yourself open to the possibilities. Sell yourself with a firm handshake every time!
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, the current employment environment is very bleak. In order to beat the odds and survive through these difficult times you must be willing to educate yourself. Take advantage of all the great tips and advice you’ve read about and apply it. Good luck!
