We are known for what we do rather than what we are. This is an unfortunate reality but one has to accept it. Getting a job is not that simple, but before that the most important thing is knowing what sort of job you are capable of doing and want to do.
First up, consider and revise the goals you have set for yourself. If you don’t have any then make some. Be sure about what you want to achieve and only then can you pursue it. When considering what type of job you want, think about your weaknesses and strengths and then look for a job that suits you best.
The next step is to make a list of all the companies/organizations that you want to apply to. Having done that, it is time to write and send them your resume. Writing an impressive and honest resume is important. Leave out any information you feel would give them a wrong impression if that is possible and focus on highlighting your achievements and positive aspects of your academic and extra curricular activities.
Do some research on these companies and find out on what basis they tend to hire their employees. Find someone recently employed if possible and inquire about the type of questions they can possibly ask. Prepare yourself for the interview and be confident. If your academic results are not good enough, show them that they do not reflect what you are capable of. Companies usually tend to employ people who are confident, show good management skills and are acute learners, rather than based on their academic records.
When you appear for your interview, keep in mind you are about to become a professional, so start acting like one. Dress properly in a business suit and stay upright. Show them you are confident and that you were made for this job. While expressing your point of view on some question they might ask, hold back your biases for a while and make them hear what they want to hear. If you are asked about your future plans and goals, be realistic when you answer.
The amount of competition in this world keeps growing and getting a job becomes more and more challenging. You might fail in your first few interviews but eventually you will find a good job that suits you. Keep trying, because giving up or accepting defeat will be the beginning of a troublesome and worthless life.
By: Jonathon Hardcastle
Posts Tagged ‘Job Hunting’
Job Hunting Survival Tips
January 27th, 2010Job Hunting Tips For University Students
January 21st, 2010Where are these jobs listed?
Most job opportunities are not advertised in the published job market. Often, the best jobs are filled through word-of-mouth networking.
Instead, many successful job applicants take a proactive approach to their job hunt and advertise themselves to the companies they wish to work for.
To help you get started on your job search, we’ve created a list of accessible information resources:
Network
Access the hidden job market when you network with professors, career counselors, guest speakers, and industry professionals. Don’t be afraid to cold call the company that you want to work for and get to know them a little better. When an opening arrives in the future they will remember your enthusiasm.
Information Interviews
Get in the habit of doing some informational interviews. This is a career research strategy that allows you to interview companies of interest to learn more about them and specific career fields within them. This is a win-win situation for you, as it will help you expand your career network, and to determine whether or not this career field or company is really suited to you. And most companies and professionals are very receptive to giving you the interviews, keeping you in mind for upcoming opportunities, and if they really like you, giving you some tips to prepare you for similar positions. But remember, like many job hunting strategies, you have to start this long before you actually need your first real job.
Labour market information
Research current labour market information to determine the employment trends and salary data of your career field of interest.
Now that you’ve begun to think about your job search, relax knowing that the right opportunities will come to you at the right time. Keep checking these key resources for potential jobs and don’t forget to network.
Oh, and don’t be shy. Drop by locazU, trade textbooks and network with other students and share resources from courses to jobs.
Job Hunting Tips — What Employers Look For
January 11th, 2010What Employers Want
Awareness of employer’s expectations is essential to finding a job. Older job-hunting techniques focused on “you”, the person. It laid emphasis on your work history, accomplishments, academic background and other credentials. It focused on your qualifications and objectives as well. But that has changed and today, employers expect you to know what their needs are and tell them how you can complement the organization.
Energy
Displaying the right energy and initiative is very important. Energetic people are credited with enthusiasm, vigor and drive and that is exactly what employers want. Most jobs require you to be proactive. Employers can easily evaluate this ability, almost as soon as the candidate enters the room. If you are not an energetic person, you should practice ways to look and act accordingly, in order to make a good first impression. It can make a huge difference; most of the time, job opportunities are won or lost on approach and preparation.
Specific Skills
Every job involves a set of specific skills and education or training, with the required background and experience. Most often, these skill sets are mentioned in the advertisement. If, however, they are not mentioned specifically, find out about the company and its hierarchical structure. This will help you to prepare to present specific abilities and initiative, creating a positive impact on the employer. Your primary concern, once you have the list of required skills, should be to present evidence that you have those skills.
This could involve your academic qualifications, projects and achievements. In addition, you need to project the capability to meet job responsibilities, work experience, voluntary activities and tasks in personnel management. The key is to try to match your skills and capability to the specific requirement of the employer. Highlight the relevant areas, since recruiters usually do not have a lot of time on hand and have to deal with a number of applications. They show interest only in particular skill sets that are required by the organizations that they represent. Make these skill sets noticeable. Precision and brevity are important too, but it is also important to highlight the skills you possess and how you can be an asset to the firm.
Transferable Skills
There are particular skills that most employers look for that have nothing to do with the competencies required for the particular job. These skills indicate the development potential and not the knowledge level. These so-called transferable skills include communication, teamwork, leadership, initiative, problem solving, adaptability, motivation and numerical skills. In addition to this, private sector companies prefer the candidate to have some idea of how the firm operates, current business news and trends and their impact on the organization. The courses completed, work experience and hobbies are of value as well. Be ready to answer clearly if asked at the interview as to how your education has prepared you for a specific job. You should be prepared with a good and precise answer. It is important to plan in advance.
By applying the steps above, you will be well on your way to giving employers what they want and conducting a highly successful job search.
By: Tony Jacowski
