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There is something both exciting and frustrating about starting a job search. You are starting a new chapter of your life, but when you are dealing with a tough economy it might be hard to land that job that you want. Heck, in today’s economy it might even be hard for some individuals to land a job period Without the right training and education it can make your quest all that much harder. Not only does education and training matter, but there are a number of other factors that can affect your search. This is why you need to be prepared for what lies ahead and this small guide is going to help you do just that.
The vast majority of jobs today probably won’t make it out of the job boards so the look of your resume will not be as significant as the content
Tweet ThisA Strong Resume Is Needed
The very first thing you need to know is that you are going to need a strong resume. Sure, your resume might have looked good two or three years ago, but that does not necessarily mean that it is going to look good today. In fact, most people that are headed back into the workforce as shocked to learn that the standards for resumes change all the time. You also need to keep in mind that the vast majority of jobs today probably won’t make it out of the job boards so the look of your resume will not be as significant as the content. However, just because it is going to be an online resume type of deal that doesn’t mean that colors and bold fonts won’t increase your overall chances of landing your dream job.
Be Mindful Of Keywords
You don’t have to be a professional web designer in today’s time to know a little something about SEO. In fact, there is a good chance that just about everyone has heard of SEO. You might not know exactly how it works, but you know just how important it is for a website to rank within the top results. Well, would you be surprised to learn that employees use similar tactics and algorithms when they are scanning resumes? If an advice column tells you that your resume needs to include certain keywords, you better make sure that it includes those keywords. This could be the difference between getting discovered and remaining undiscovered.
“Before you start looking for your dream job, there is one question you need to ask yourself; what is it that you really want to do? You really need to think about this long and hard. Your own conclusion is what provides you with a starting point. Your college major may give you a platform for identifying your career goals. But provided it’s feasible, it is perfectly normal if you wish to pursue a field that has nothing to do with you major. Perhaps you spent four years of your life doing something that you did not really like. But why make the same mistake all over again?” – Find Your Dream Job
Be Prepared For Quick Interviews
It might take time to create a resume and send out an interview, but if you are fortunate enough to land a callback then you best be prepared right away. This is even true if you are applying for a job out of state. Thanks to all the technology available today employers like to conduct over the phone and Skype type interviews. Do not let the callback catch you off guard because you only get one chance to make a first impression. There are a number of helpful guides online that can supply you with the most commonly asked interview questions. Studying up on the guides might not be a sure thing, but it will help better prepare you for what lies ahead.
Highlight Your Accomplishments
Most people tend to forget that when they are applying for a nursing or heating and air job that their potential employers know their job description. Sending in your resume with a generic description of your previous job duties or a basic list of responsibilities isn’t going to get you far or make you stand out. Such tactics aren’t going to distinguish you from the other 200 individuals applying for the job. This is why you need to get straight to the point and start listing your most impressive accomplishments. There is nothing wrong with bragging on yourself. You need to look and feel confident!
Always Be Inquisitive
Once you got your resume updated and sent out, you will probably start receiving some calls. Due to the fact that the interviews are going to be schedule quick, you will need to be prepared like aforementioned. That being said being prepared for the most basic questions that the interviewer might ask won’t be enough. You need to show your interest in the company by asking your own questions. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, you need to have a list prepared. Even if there really isn’t any more information that needs to be covered asking these question will make you seem more inquisitive and interested in the job.
