Job Hunting Tips

Job Hunting TipsAre you a fresh graduate and planning to look fora job? Did you just recently quit your job and arelooking for greener pastures? Are you unemployedand have little experience regarding ways tosecure a job? Whatever your situation may be, itwould be to your advantage to study the followingtips:Check your resume for mistakes

Before submitting your resume to a prospectiveemployer, check your resume for corrections atleast three times before handing it over. Afterresearching about the job position, it iscritical that you format your resume to match theneeds of the company. For example, if you areapplying for an accounting job, you should put indetail your accounting experience on your resume.Typographical and grammatical errors are seriousno-no's. It is also ideal to keep the length ofthe resume' to at least a page and a half long.Taking the interview challengeA survey conducted by a staffing and consultingfirm based in California which corresponded with1,400 chief financial officers concluded thatcandidates for employment made most of theirmistakes on their interviews. Some of themistakes they made include: arriving late, havinglittle knowledge about the company and the

position applied for, and having a superioritycomplex and behaving arrogantly. The bodylanguage of the applicant must also denote thathe is confident yet not overpowering. He mustmaintain eye contact, have a strong handshake,and avoid looking defensive by the act of crossingthe arms. Wearing the right clothes is crucial forprojecting a confident stance. As they say, it isbetter to go to an interview over-dressed thanbeing under-dressed.Answer questions smartlyA common mistake of interviewees is that they tendto get tense and forget the questions that aregiven to them, which has the effect that they arenot prepared for the interview. It is importantto research about the company and the positionapplied for to prevent being side-tracked duringthe interview. If you do not know the answer tothe questions being asked, it is better to admityou don't know the answer to the question and add

that you can research about it. Look for theskills or expertise that the company is lookingfor so that when interview day comes and theinterviewer asks about your strengths and corecompetencies, you will be able to match it to whatthey need.Getting the necessary referralsHaving a referral from one of the companyemployees can go a long way toward landing aninterview. A typical company may receive jobapplications in the hundreds and usually 35% to60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals.The odds of getting hired when you have a referralare very high if you have another 200 to 500applicants vying for the same position. If you donot know anyone from the company that may give youa referral, it is a good idea to the alumni networkof your college, trade groups, social networks,and professional associations. Remember, havinga referral greatly increases your chances of

getting the position.On online applicationWith the current trend of technology and itsmerging with business processes, more and morecompanies are now requiring prospectiveapplicants to submit their application online.Thus, first impressions are relayed not by yourfirst appearance but by the quality and contentof your e-mail. E-mails regarding job applicationshould be polished and well-articulated. Whenapplying on-line, use the following tips:Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate.Employers do not like when you send themapplication letters that seem to be too casual.It is important to make a letter that is bothformal and well written. This gives a goodimpression regarding your capabilities andskills.

Get directly to the pointWhen writing an application letter, you must beconcise and straightforward. Do not put a storyon the letter just to get the attention of theemployer, chances are he or she will just getirritated with you and this only reduces yourchances of getting hired.Consider potential issues that may hinder youfrom getting the jobAlthough there are instances wherein there is alot of need for a job but the requirements for theposition may entail training programs that maybar you from getting the position due to itshighly competitive nature. Some require a lot ofexperian even at least 3 years of work experience.Some may have no barriers to entry but the jobitself may entail a very routine work flow.

Getting the job you want may be a challenge butnever lose hope. It is better to wait a while andget the job that you will enjoy rather than geta job as soon as possible but ending updissatisfied and unhappy. Make the right decisionthen act on it.