Getting a job is often an arduous affair. Not only must you find open positions, but these opportunities need to match your skill set, peak your interest, offer room for growth and provide enough money for you to live. Applications, interviews, second interviews and other endeavors soon follow without any guarantees that you'll even get the job. But you can increase your chances by taking steps to make yourself more attractive in the eyes of a potential employer.
Step 1
Prepare a resume. This document is often the first encounter you have with a potential employer, so spend time detailing your work history, job skills, educational background and career objectives.
Step 2
Develop a well-written cover letter. Sometimes, job hunters neglect this tool for securing an open position. Like a resume, your cover letter is the first introduction to a potential employer. Devote some time to writing this preamble, but steer clear of just reiterating your resume. Focus on points that relate to the prospective job and company.
Step 3
Narrow your job search, suggests CBS Money Watch. This may sound counterintuitive, but narrowing your search criteria helps hone in on positions that best match your skill set and interest. This can increase your chances of getting an interview and landing the job.
Step 4
Connect with your network. A number of jobs aren't even advertised, so reaching out to your network can direct you to opportunities that best match your skill set. Contacts can also connect you to the decision-makers in the company.
Step 5
Strengthen your brand name. Like any product on store shelves, you're a brand that you want people to buy. A personal website, social networking sites and other online pages can boost your professional appearance, making you more desirable to employers.
Step 6
Research the company and the open position. A better understanding of the company and position makes it easier to pitch yourself. You're often more comfortable and can speak with greater ease when you know that your skill set is a fit for the job.
Step 7
Prepare talking points and questions for the interview, urges the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Once you're familiar with the company and role, you can assess your qualifications and prepare talking points on how your experience relates to the open position. At the same time, think of questions about the company and role. It demonstrates further interest in the job.
Step 8
Dress the part. Even in a casual environment, a suit is a sign of respect. Plus, fewer people are wearing suits to interviews, helping you to stand out.
Step 9
Take notes during the interview. Notes not only show interest in the job, but they're also essential as a reference for your followup questions.
Step 10
Drop a thank-you note in the mail after the interview. Tell the potential employer how nice it was to meet him and that you're still very interested and excited in the job. If you met with more than one person, address a note to each individual.
Tips and Warnings
- If you're having a difficult time finding a job, consider contacting a recruiter, temp agency or even a company you're interest in working for. Recruiters can often match the candidate with the perfect job. Temp agencies can place you in "temp-to-perm" positions. And contacting a company for an informational meeting can make them aware of you as well as give you an idea of what the managers or directors are looking for in a candidate.
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