It is not very easy to look for a job after you have been out of the job market for a while. There are many things that have changed over the years and other things have stayed the same. Keep reading if you want to know the best way to go about looking for a new position.
Know how you will explain gaps in your work history. There are reasons anyone may have work gaps, and that is understandable. However, be ready to be asked about them during an interview and have an answer ready. That way, you look calm and prepared, as well as giving an answer you aren’t flustered about.
Instead of accepting that you do not have what it takes to land a specific job, ask yourself what you can do to become a better candidate. For example, if you lack experience with a certain software program commonly used in your chosen field, look for online tutorials and how-to books. MIT and other prestigious universities offer a variety of free, non-credit online courses. Topics range from marketing research to XHTML, and completing the programs demonstrates your willingness to go the extra mile.
One of the most important variables when you are trying to land a job is the contacts that you have on the inside. Think about all of the friends and acquaintances that you have made in the past and try to find out if any of them work at the company. This can give you a tremendous edge for hiring purposes.
Send a thank you letter. A lot of people don’t do this, so if you use this one tip, you may put yourself ahead of the pack very quickly. Simply write a short letter thanking the person for their time, reiterating that you want the job, and reminding him or her of your unique qualifications.
Check to make sure the references on your resume are current. It never looks good when a prospective employer finds they have been given information. Make a call to each reference on your list to make sure their phone number and other contact info is still correct.
If there is a job in the industry, you are interested in and you do not have a lot of experience in that area, you should contact companies and see if they are looking for interns. This will help you gain some of the experience you need, and it will let employers know you are serious about this career.
Prepare yourself before job interviews. You should of course find an outfit that matches the job you are interviewing for and bring a copy of your resume. Put together a list of questions you want to ask during the interview and do not hesitate to bring additional documents related to your previous experiences or education.
When submitting a resume to a potential employer, always submit a full resume. A tactic used by many people to cover up negative areas of employment is to write the cover letter in lieu of an actual resume. Most human resource professionals have seen this and will red flag any potential job seeker immediately. If you are doing this and wondering why you are not getting any interviews, this is probably the reason.
Take the cash out for sick and vacation days if it is offered. If you want to earn as much as you can at this stage in your career this is a great way to do so. Remember that everyone does need a break from time to time, but not likely as much as you are given.
It is very important to make a good first impression during a job interview. You should wear some clean clothes, apply makeup and do your hair. Greet the interviewer with a smile and shake their hand firmly. Introduce yourself and let your interviewer know you are glad to finally meet them.
Check out employment agencies before you sign up with them. It’s a good idea to understand that some of these businesses only care about quotas and taking your money. Learn all you can about the company so you’re sure that they’re legitimate. A good agency can be a great help and a smart thing to do.
If you don’t get a job, ask why not. This can be an invaluable way to determine if you’re doing anything wrong. You can simply send a short email or letter inquiring about whether there was anything more you could have done. This may also make you feel better about not getting the job.
Now that you are armed with all of the information you need to snag a new job, it is up to you to do the rest. Make sure to have a well-written resume, plenty of experience and the right interview etiquette. A combination of all these things should help you secure a job in no time.
