Chris Wodke
The environment for job hunting is especially tough during a recession. The current job market is very competitive. There are lots of talented people looking for work. To get a step ahead of the competition you must do these six things:
- Get a Great Resume
to get an interview you must have an outstanding resume. The resume must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. If you have contacts in the recruiting or human resources field, ask them to review your resume. Many networking events offer free resume review.
Review current postings in your field for key words that describe open positions. Include these key words in your resume. Tailor your resume to fit each position for which you apply. Your resume should tell the story of the measurable accomplishments you have had in each position. Talk about the dollars saved, the reduction in turnover etc. you achieved. - Prepare for Interviews
You will become better at interviews the more you do them. Go through mock interviews to give you the practice you need in a no risk environment. Practice as if this is a real interview, right down to the interview outfit. Have the interviewer ask you the questions you expect to be asked. Write your own set of questions you will want to ask potential employers. Have the interviewer take notes and give you feedback on how you did. You best interviewer is someone who is a hiring manager, a recruiter or in human resources. - Do Your Research
No company will be impressed if you walk into the interview without knowing about the company. Good research will tell you about the products, market position and sales of potential employers. You may also get clues about the company values and culture from your research. If you know about the values of a potential company this will help you prepare for interviews. If customer service is important, expect questions about customer service. You can prepare for the interview by having your customer service success stories ready.
Research might also include other options for work if you are thinking about a career transition. Researching job listings will show you the skills employers are looking for. You may be able to apply the skill set you currently have to another occupation.
- Network Effectively
Approximately 80 % of jobs are filled by networking. Employers are being flooded by resumes when openings are advertised. As a hiring manager I am seeing the strongest pool of candidates I have ever seen. Some companies have gone to filling positions based on recommendations. If you network well, you may find out about a job before it is ever advertised. If you have a contact inside a company, their recommendation may give you the edge in the hiring process. Companies want to minimize the risk when hiring as much as possible. If someone recommends you that lowers the risk to the company to hire you. - Update Skills
Do an honest evaluation of your skills. Are there skills you need to update to make you more competitive? Do you need additional credentials or education to be competitive on the job market? Job listings are a good clue to the skills you will need to get a position. Unemployment can be a good time for updating skills since you may never have this much time again. Some employers may ask how you are spending your time. Talking about how you are updating your skills shows you are making positive use of your time. Learning new skills can also help to keep you focused and positive during a challenging time. - Volunteer Your Tim & Pursue Hobbies
Volunteering can be a good way to network and to give something back to the community. You may learn new skills that can help you in your career. This gives you a wider career network. You may learn new skills that will help in your job search. I got my start in training when I joined the National Ski Patrol and became a first aid instructor. You need to find a productive way to use your time. You can’t job hunt all day long, seven days a week without going crazy. You will get burnt out if you don’t take a break. Volunteering and hobbies can be a great way to manage stress while job hunting.
Copyright 2009@ Summit Training Publications
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Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation
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