By the estimation of many economists, the United States is currently experiencing a recession. The financial situation has affected all citizens, regardless of income level or area of specialization. In a tough economy, finding a job can be extremely difficult, especially since the employment sector is flooded with overqualified individuals. Here are some useful tips to help you find lasting employment in today’s economy.
1. Check Your Facebook Profile.
Since social networks such as facebook, twitter and myspace are so widely used, many employers are now using them to screen potential applicants. If you have submitted your resume to several companies, try to avoid posting anything potentially damaging to your reputation or character on facebook. Facebook now has a privacy setting where you can make each status update only visible to friends, friends of friends, or specific people. If you have a public profile, keep it professional. While this may seem like unnecessary censorship, it may actually be one of the deciding factors for potential employers.
2. Write a Cover Letter.
Statistics have shown a significantly higher percentage of resumes with cover letters actually get evaluated by employers. If you have taken the time to write an informed cover letter, it shows that you are actually dedicated to your job search. However, do not write a general cover letter and use it for every company you submit your resume to. Your cover letter should display a working knowledge of the infrastructure of the company you are applying for.
3. Don’t Use Cheap Tactics.
There is some debate on if using certain tactics causes a resume to end up in the trash. These tactics may include: using unique font, printing your resume on colored paper, starting your cover letter with a shocking sentence, etc. Use your own judgment on if you really think that this will make a difference in the review of your resume.
4. Be Early For Your Interview.
It may seem like common sense, but it is extremely important that you are early to an interview with a potential employer. Take appropriate measures on the day of the interview to ensure that you are able to make it there at least 15 – 20 minutes early. Allow for extra time for traffic, detours, lost car keys, etc. It may seem like a small detail, but many employers may see your punctuality as the deciding factor when they are potentially offering you a job.
5. Renovate Your Appearance.
While sporting dreadlocks, facial piercings, tattoos or a spiked necklace may be trendy at the time, it can actually hurt your chances of making a good impression with a potential employer. Freedom of expression through your appearance is a wonderful thing, but it’s also important to be respectful of the company that you are applying for. If you are looking to get a job at a professional institution, you will have to renovate your appearance accordingly. Dress in flattering (but not too revealing) clothing that conveys a relaxed but professional attitude. Keep any facial hair closely groomed, and use a bit of hairspray to tame frizzy hair. However, your apprentice should be dependent on the particular job that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job at a tattoo parlor, you will most likely be able to display tattoos and piercings without hurting your chances of employment.
6. Be Persistent.
Many employers will respond positively to someone who is persistent in being hired as an employee of their company. Make follow-up phone calls, stop by the company for an update on your hiring status, and send polite emails to the company’s hiring department.
7. Highlight Your Skills.
If you have training in a specific area, make every effort to pursue a job in a related industry. In a flooded job market, employers are being much more selective about how they choose their employees. Since experience is often a huge deciding factor, be sure to be clear about any skills that you have in your resume, cover letter or job interview.
8. Quality, not Quantity.
Job sites such as CareerBuilder and Monster have made it easy to submit your resume to hundreds of companies on a daily basis. However, statistics have shown that this is not necessarily a tactic that produces results. Focus on a few jobs that sound like they would interest you, and take the time to modify your resume accordingly. For example, most resumes have an “objective” where you state your general goal. Modify this objective to subtly reflect your desire to work in a specific position or department within a company you’re applying for. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position at a manufacturing company, have your objective include something like, “To use my skills to improve a company’s presence and results in the marketing industry”.
9. Start Your Own Website.
A few years ago, starting your own website involved a significant investment. Now, you can start your own personal blog for free, using websites such as WordPress and Blogspot. You can either use your site as a daily “journal” (just be sure to keep it professional), or have it as a sales page with detailed explanations of your work experience and qualifications. Since a lot of today’s businesses rely heavily on the internet, displaying a basic knowledge can also show that you have initiative. However, it’s important to make sure that your site doesn’t contain anything that could hurt your chances of employment.
