For a More Effective Job Search Ensure You Are Doing These 4 Things!

1.   Networking

Having a strong network of people is important during job search; this allows you to learn about various job opportunities which otherwise you may not have heard about though traditional job search methods such as newspaper ads and online job boards.  Even though it can be tough to initially get out there and network with people; the more you do it, the better you get at it!

Networking can include: 

• Chatting with friends/family to learn about job opportunities
• Creating a profile on www.linkedin.com to let the business world know you are available for employment and the skills/experience/expertise that you offer!
• Setting up a Twitter account and following various job sites and employers
• Making connections at your local coffee shop or favorite eatery
• Talking to people while grocery shopping or standing in line at the bank
• Volunteering for a few hours a week 
• Handing out business cards when the opportunity presents itself

Opportunities for networking are everywhere!  So use them!  It is sure to broaden your chances of gaining employment and better yet, you may have a chance to make a new friend!

2.  Market Yourself - Cover Letters & Resumes

Marketing yourself is very important and this is accomplished through your cover letter and resume! Take the time to review your cover letter + resume if you haven’t in a while and ask yourself these questions:

·        Is my cover letter selling the skills that are most important for the reader? 
       When reading the job posting and creating your cover letter, make sure that you are 
       taking the most important aspects of the job and reflecting how you would make a great  addition to the team!  Keep it short and to the point.  The reader will then read your resume for more details

·        Is my resume properly tailored to the job that I am applying for?  This is extremely
       important; you must properly tailor your resume to show how you have the assets,   qualifications and attributes that the employer is looking for. 

·        Is my cover letter/resume easy to read?  It’s important to make sure that your coverletter and resume are eye appealing and easy to read.  Use fonts such as Ariel, Courier, or New Time Roman.  Bold your headings to make them stand out.  Use bullets for easy reading.  

·        Are there spelling or grammatical errors?  Even if you have read your cover letter and resume 100 times; as well as used spell-check; there still may be some errors – have a friend look it over for you, better yet, have 2 friends look it over for you.  Errors = garbage!  Take the time to ensure your documents are error free!

3.  Check your appearance. 

Personal presentation (having a neat and professional, age-appropriate appearance) is essential while job searching.  Even if you are running some errands outside the house, make sure you are presentable – you never know when opportunity may strike!

• Are your job search/interview clothes outdated, worn out or unprofessional?  Shoes needing a polish?
• Are your roots showing or are you in need of a hair cut? 
• How are your nails?  Is your nail polish chipped?  Guys – do you need a nail trimming?

 4.  Check your attitude and energy!

You’ve heard it before, “positive energy brings positive things” – and its true!!  Being in the right mind-frame while job searching will allow you to notice things that you haven’t noticed before, including whether or not your job search methods are working.  Job Searching can be hard and it's not that easy to stay motivated day after day while experiencing job search rejection.  That being said, you need to move forward and carry on and try to be as positive as possible.  We’ve mentioned this before – your attitude towards job searching will be apparent in your job search/interviews!  A few tips for ensuring you keep your energy up and your attitude positive:

·      Take time for yourself!  This is very important – take a time out, go for a walk, hit the gym, go for coffee – relax and give your mind a break from job searching.  This will refresh you!

·      Journal!  This can be very soothing to your mind – and it will help put things in perspective.  Each time you have an interview, or even a networking opportunity that has worked out or maybe has not worked out, journal about it – that way you can revert back to this and see what you did right…or wrong!

·   Think positive thoughts! Even if you are having a bad day, try and find the positive in a negative situation. Sounds harder than it is! Thinking positively will keep you motivated in your job search and bring you closer to finding the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                          -Sunny + Sassy