Looking for a Job?
January 25, 2010 by Lillie
Recent comments on my Job Search series from about a year and a half ago suggest that with the current high unemployment, job seekers could benefit from this information today.
If you’re seeking employment, I encourage you to read the entire series. Those posts include practical and detailed information about resumes, cover letters, and job interviews.
I’ve been an entrepreneur or freelancer for most of my working life so my personal experience of looking for a job is limited. However, I hired many employees during my business career, so I understand hiring from the employer perspective. One of my clients is a career transition coach, and I have worked with her on resumes, cover letters, and job interview preparation for many of her clients in addition to individual clients of my own. I know this advice works.
As important as it is for you to know how to write a resume (or hire me or someone like me to do it for you), it’s even more important that you have the right mindset.
Here are seven tips to help you succeed in your job search:
- Realize that the job search is a process. You may have to submit many resumes to get one interview. Then you may have to go through interviews with several companies before you find a serious prospect, and you may have to go through several interviews with one company before you get the job. Generally the process is longer for jobs at the top executive levels, but you’re not likely to get hired immediately for any job.
- Remember that employers want to know what you can do for them. They aren’t going to hire you because you need a job but because you can solve a problem for them. Always think and present yourself in terms of what you have to offer.
- Understand that most jobs aren’t advertised. Network constantly and research the industry and companies you are interested in to find the hidden unadvertised openings.
- Stay in job search mode wherever you are. Be prepared to tell everyone you come in contact with what kind of work you seek and how you can contribute to an employer. Even when you’re not talking, always act as you would if your ideal boss might be watching you—because he or she could be.
- Recognize that networking is a two-way street. Often job seekers make contacts strictly to get help; help others first, and they’ll be more apt to help you. The more people you help, the more people you have willing to help you.
- Remain positive and confident. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’ve been out of work a while and all you hear on the news is how bad the economy is. But you’ll more attractive to employers, happier, and more successful if you remember past accomplishments and expect future successes.
- Smile and say “Thank you.” Smiles are contagious and make everyone—those who smile and those who see the smiles—feel better. We all like to be appreciated, and many job seekers don’t put forth the effort to show appreciation. Thank everyone who gives you a lead or a referral and everyone who interviews you—even if you don’t get the job. Hand-written notes are rare and will make you stand out among job seekers. And when you stand out in a positive way … you just might get that job!
photo credit: woodleywonderworks
Nice tips. I will check out the links. I was surprised to know that ‘most jobs are not advertised.’
.-= chris@bible study topics´s last blog ..Beatitudes: Meaning and List =-.
chris,
I don’t have exact statistics or the source of the information at my fingertips, but I learned this through working with the career transition coach. Most jobs are filled because a trusted person refers someone or an agressive job-seeker becomes familiar with the company and contacts them before the position is officially announced. For example, you can read the business section of the newspaper and see someone got a promotion—that’s a good indication that another position is now open (either the position the person was promoted from or a position below that if a subordinate was already promoted to the first position). If you find out that a company has expansion plans, that’s a sign there will be openings. HR departments are glad if they have applications already on file and don’t have to go through the advertising process.
One thing to note is that this probably applies more at higher executive positions. Entry level and unskilled jobs are probably more subject to being advertised; however, even here, a referral can make all the difference.
I agree that the reference is extremely important.
Regarding the unadvertised openings, many of the job seekers, hesitate to contact the employers, if there are no jobs advertised. One needs to be proactive and almost, aggressive in this economy.
.-= Chris@bible study topics´s last blog ..Beatitudes: Meaning and List =-.
Chris,
Yes, being proactive is essential. It’s important to be aggressive in pursuing opportunities but not aggressive in manner. Not easy!
This is great advice and tips for those looking for a job.
I have shared this post for those who are interested.
Thanks
Thank you, Michelle. I hope the folks you shared it with find it helpful.
These tips can prove to be really a first step for one to find a job, everything explained very properly and nothing left undiscussed, I like it.
Thank you, Mike. I hope job seekers find these tips and the information in the other posts helpful.
Excellent tips, Lillie! I know several people who could benefit from your advice. I plan to share your post with them.
.-= Deb S´s last blog ..For writers everywhere =-.
Thanks, Deb. Good luck to your job-seeking friends.
It is very important that you have self confidence when you apply because employers can see it..
.-= Toni´s last blog ..Losing Weight With The Amazing Acai Berry. =-.
Toni,
That’s so true. And who wants someone who isn’t self-confident working for them? If the person isn’t sure of themselves, the employer has no reason to trust them to do the job.
As a job seeker I appreciate your ideas. I agree your information and follow them.
Good luck with your job search, Peter. Be sure to read the other posts with practical advice on resumes, cover letters, and interviews.
These are wonderful tips to anyone looking for a job, both when the economy is bad (like now) or even when it is great! You are totally right, finding a job is a process – too bad it has been taking people sometimes more than a year to find something.
Jared,
The process of finding a job is the same in good times and bad times—it’s just more critical during bad times, when it is an even-longer process.
Absolutely wonderful advice, ESPECIALLY what we in human resources call the hook.
That is, every time a candidate answers a question in an employment interview, he or she should present the answer in a way that solves a problem or fills a need for the company.
The questions are not normally asked in a vacuum.
The questions indicate to the candidate why we are hiring in the first place.
If when answering a question, the candidate responds by giving examples or suggesting ways his or her experience or skills will take care of the need, that candidate is much more likely to be recalled either for a second interview or to be offered the position.
Beth
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.-= Beth Charette´s last blog ..New Article: An Environmentally Aware Toy Business: One Customer’s Take =-.
Beth,
Thanks for the perspective of the interviewer. It’s especially important to realize that, as you say, questions aren’t asked in vacuum. They aren’t designed to trick or confuse applicants but to give them an opportunity to demonstrate how they help the company.
As someone who (luckily) gets to sit on the other side of the interview table, here’s my advice to prospective employees: ask questions! Don’t forget that you are interviewing the company at the same time they are interviewing you! I like to have interviewees ask about the job, the duties, the company…. It shows you care and aren’t just there to fill up time. Just don’t ask about vacation benefits!
.-= Beth´s last blog ..401K Rollover To Roth IRA Guidance =-.
Good advice, Beth, and some that is included in the interview post in the job search series I wrote.
It is always sad when you hear the statistics about X% of the unemployed have given up on looking for a job, because as you say, finding a job is not the same as going to the grocery store and picking out what you like.
Instead, searching for a job really does end up being something you have work at and most people will have to try a number of different “brands,” as it were, before they find the right one.
I realize that it can be frustrating trying to find a job or being turned down for jobs you think you deserve, but giving up is not a good choice.
.-= Steve@Lift Chairs´s last blog ..Making it Easier for Seniors to Live on Their Own =-.
Steve,
It is tragic that people give up because they get discouraged. Quite likely, they allowed some of their discouragement to affect their job search long before they gave up, reducing their chances for success. Maintaining a positive, confident attitude is critical.
Finding a job has become a headache today, we can only succeed being persitent and we put efforts on it. Thanks for the advices!
Sarah,
Yes, persistence is the key. It usually takes a lot of time and effort to find the right job.
I would also advise people who are active online to create and maintain a LinkedIn profile. This can be of value to the job seeker, a great way to connect with people who are hiring and are known to be looking.
Click on the link in my name for more information about LinkedIn and how I have benefited personally.
Matt,
Thanks for the tip. This is a practical application of my tip to always be in job-search mode. LinkedIn is one of the ways to do this, and your information about LinkedIn will be helpful to job seekers.
I wish I had found this blog before today. Got laid off more than 8 months ago and been on the search for a new job since. The advices in this posts are very helpful and I surely will read the other posts of this series too.
Thank you for posting this. Your Blog is Bookmarked!
Paula Jo,
I hope you find the tips in this post and the others I’ve written on the job search helpful. And I hope you find the perfect job soon!
My situation is a little bit different. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom after the birth of my first child. But my husband was laid off recently… So to help pay the bill, I decided to get back on the market job… Which is NOT easy… especially when you lost your touch with working… Nevertheless, those tips will be very helpful for a women like me, who needs some directions and advices!
.-= Celeste@thigh high flat boots´s last blog ..Thigh High Flat Boots in 2010 =-.
Celeste,
Good luck with your job search. For someone who’s been out of the labor market for a few years, it’s especially important to be confident and positive.
Sometimes finding a job can be tough. Getting laid off is what led me to starting my own business.. so looking back it was one of the best things that happened to me.
Lisa,
Good luck with your business. Sometimes what seems to be bad at the time (not being able to find a job) turns into something wonderful (a successful business).
Thank you for the simple and very detailed advice on how to apply and get hired for our dream job..:)
Nathaniel,
I hope you read all the articles in the earlier series for the details.
Where should we write the reference in a resume. At the end or bottom???
savi,
You don’t need to include references in a resume. The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. Employers are not interested in references until later in the process. References should be in a separate document that is formatted similarly to the resume. You should have the reference list ready so you can give it to the hiring manager when requested. However, it is premature to include references too early in the process, i.e., on the resume.
Lillie,
Thanks for the tips.
I am personally going through the job search process right now, and whilst it is certainly not a great deal of fun, I am certainly trying to maintain a positive attitude and outlook.
In many ways, I am somewhat fortunate. My parents have been really great about me moving back in with them. Not only has this helped ease the burden on me from a financial perspective (along with social security payments and the fact that I was able to save a reasonable amount of money in Korea), but they have also been great to have around for moral support.
(I can’t imagine how difficult the financial pressure of unemployment must be for those with mortgages to pay off and family members to support)
Another factor which has helped me to manage this period from an emotional viewpoint was my state of preparedness. When I decided to return home from Korea, I decided to adopt a realistic mindset and to expect that the process of securing an appropriate form of new employment would be challenging and would require persistence and determination as well as being frustrating. This forward anticipation of difficult times has helped me to handle the emotional challenges when they arise.
But I won’t pretend that I am not frustrated, and I will most certainly be glad when this little period is over.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Should Google pull out of China? =-.
Andrew,
You did well to make plans and you have a great attitude. It is always frustrating to be looking for a job, especially in a down economy, but you’re doing all the right things. Best wishes to you.
This is also a tip to get your resume noticed far more often.
Write your resume to tailor it specifically to the opening you are applying. This takes some more effort on your part however may get you into more interviews.
Your resume can be reworded and phrased to better match the position. Also one can find that their experience is far broader than they had considered. Their experience can be packaged for each opening. This will get you resume read and considered.
.-= Brian@Manual Juicer´s last blog ..Where I can buy the best orange juicer =-.
Brian,
It’s often possible to tweak the resume to ensure you highlight the qualifications the employer is seeking. It’s even more important to do that in the cover letter. In most cases, the resume won’t even be read if the cover letter doesn’t show that you’re likely to be a good match. So rather than rewriting the resume for every position, I would usually make sure the resume reflected your qualifications well, then write a custom cover letter emphasizing how your qualifications match the employer’s needs. In fact, sometimes, I recommend two columns, one showing what the employer asked for and one showing how you meet or exceed those requirements. Of course, the same information is in the resume in more detail, but this is an effective way to get their attention up front and ensure they will read the resume that then can lead to the interview.
Thank you for the tips. And to all people out there who are looking – Don’t give up.
Gene,
Persistence and optimism are so important!
Yeah don’t get frustrated and take rejections personally. I have interviewed many people over the years and just because you’re not suited to one environment doesn’t mean you’re a failure!
.-= Elton@Rob Chandler´s last blog ..MakeMoney Selling SEO Services. =-.
Elton,
Very true, but sometimes hard for job seekers to believe after months of unemployment and repeated rejection.
These are very helpful tips, primarily the ones including being on your game, always.
I think a lot of people get sucked into the doldrums when job searching.
Especially when searching for that job primarily includes sitting for hours, all alone, in front of a computer filling out form after form.
A better way is to network and do favors – networking IS a two-way street. It’s also good advice to be “on” all the time. You never know when you’ll run into someone who can help advance your search, get you in touch with the right person/people and potentially by-pass the whole “fill-in-this-resume-even-though-you’ve-already-got-your-professional-resume-completed” forms.
Good pointers. Thank you.
C
(Comment edited to move link from this location to the URL field)
Claudia,
Thank you for your insight. Networking is so important and can have so many benefits.
Well, i prefer to have business rather than job. this is because by this way all our hard work will fruit us only not to any other person.
Anne,
Fortunately, different people want different things. If everybody wanted a business, no business would have any employees.
I’ve owned a business with employees and lots of overhead, and I prefer to freelance and not deal with all the issues of employees and facilities. Others like the challenge of business, and, thank goodness, others prefer to work for someone else. We’d be in a heap of trouble if we had only businesses with no one to work for the companies or people who want jobs and no companies to hire them. 
I agree with Elton. I have been to several interviews before and there are instances I don’t get hired. I don’t really take it negatively, instead I take it as a challenge. They may have not seen my potential for the company but there are many opportunities waiting for me next.
Nathan,
Yes, there are always more opportunities and probably at least one that is a better fit for you.
When you are looking for a job, it is always right to remain honest. Some people try to pretend to be who they are not. Incase your employers are seeking what you don’t have; admitting you are not capable will save you the embarrassment of getting dismissed later. Some employees will fake documents to be recruited in tasks they know they are not up to standard such that they provide no competence at ground level.
Tony,
Absolute honesty is imperative. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t present yourself in the best light possible. My whole life would be changed if I had not bluffed a little in my first job in college. I didn’t lie, but I didn’t admit I didn’t know something. Instead I set out to learn it. You can read the story in Abject Terror + A Bluff = New Confidence
Well written blog post with several great tips. From my experience, employers always seek for someone unique, so just be yourself and be honest.
Good advice, John. Be yourself!
Great post and great advice. Thanks
Thanks, Robert.
the most dificult task is getting an interview. I have send a thousant cvs and i get only few replies
anastasia,
Have you read my post on resumes? You might want to revise your CV if you’re not getting responses. Maybe it can be tweaked to show your qualifications better and make you a more attractive prospect to employers.
A couple of points about the fact that most jobs are not advertised. Yes it is true and I would go further and say “the best jobs are not advertised”. Essentially the resume is a tool to garner the interest of a prospective employer and the best time to do that is before they actually put a job spec together or even moved the concept of “what they need” beyond understanding there is an opportunity or an issue to be addressed which will require a body to do so.
The problems here are all to do with identifying who might be at that stage, understanding HR probably will not know about these internal discussions yet and so are the wrong people to send your details to. So you need to find out who to send your resume and cover letter (which is tailored to address what you think their issue might be) to.
Obviously research in your industry is key – trying to join the dots and work out who to send it to and what to write. It is very hard and actually one of the reasons there exists a professional search industry. Try this as an example:
Lets say a bank is looking to expand into the Asian market and has made public statements along that line. You have experience in that area and a track record. Send your details to the executive who made the public statement – even if its the CEO. If you can’t get to him, talk to his PA and send your details to her. In your cover note clearly explain why you think that bank could benefit from your experience. Don’t harass leave it – if you fit their plans they will contact you, if you don’t they will not. Perhaps one follow up call to see if they received it – but in my experience that does not really make much difference to the outcome.
Nobody said it was easy, but direct applications in a researched manner work.
Finally sending your resume like a spam email does not work, don’t do it – as all you do is get your name lodged in the HR system and discounted from future searches. Sad but true – the HR system is only as good as the operator and many only really use as it as a filtering tool, making the assumption that anybody discounted before will be discounted again. Not that anyone will admit it (because we could sue them), but I have seen it being done in the real world that way.
Chris,
I think your comment is longer than my post! Thank you this detailed suggestion.
Excellent recommendations. It’s very important to approach the job search just like you would your job. As a matter of fact, consider the job search your job. Organization is paramount. Keep good notes on each site you visit and every employer you contact. Make sure to follow up in a few days to show that you are being proactive. Make a committment to apply to a specific number of jobs per day and don’t deviate from that number. It will soon multiply into a good number of contacts. Job hunting is a numbers game.
Make sure that if you do not have a job, that you keep your spirits up. Go for a run for an hour or so, or do something fun. Having a positive outlook will keep you on the success path. Job hunting is stressful, so give yourself a break. Remember, the more you put in the more you will get out.
Best of Luck
Good advice, Lee. Job hunting is a serious job.