As you get ready to embark on another long stretch of job searches it is important to make sure you are using a good source for career advertisement. In the last few decades the internet has totally revolutionized the way we search for jobs. Not too long ago job searches were centered on the local news. This has changed drastically in recent years as more and more employers look to place their advertisements online.
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Now you can find job websites that are specifically catered to your niche. Once you know what type of career you are interested in you will visit a site geared directly toward you. There are sites for education jobs, industrial jobs, work at home jobs, and just about anything else you can think of. Also most major companies have a human resources page on their site, so this can help you a great deal as well.
Many websites aimed at helping you to find a career offer perks like online profiles where you can post your resume so you will be on file for potential employers from all over the world. If you have several different talents or career interests that you can post different resumes and profiles on different sites. The more resumes you post the more keywords that will link back to your resumes. Potential employers are able to search through resumes and profiles for certain keywords, just like we look for information on a search engine. When an employer is looking for someone with your talents you will show up in their search. This will allow you get much wider coverage that you could ever get by just pounding the pavement with a newspaper in hand and in a fraction of the time.
Not only do internet job searches allow future employers to find you instead of you finding them, they also will allow you to search for jobs more efficiently. Most applications are online these days anyway. With the internet you can apply for several jobs and post resumes that will automatically display for potential employers. You can do twice as much work and get twice as much exposure without having to waste any of your precious money on gas.
If you feel reluctant to give up the newspaper searches then do not. Most newspapers today, especially in major metropolitan areas, include their local help wanted ads on the web. Of course you can also check out your local print paper to see what is listed, as you always have. The best day to do this is Sunday. Employers choose to advertise on Sunday because it is the most commonly purchased paper day.
Do not give up hope. There are dozens of ways to go about getting a job and there is no limit to the amount of visibility you can get through utilization of the internet. This new way of marketing yourself has helped hundreds of thousands of people get jobs all job search engines over the world. Your dream job might actually show up at your feet, instead of "vice versa". If you are having trouble navigating most major career websites, the customer service agents employed by the site are generally more than happy to help you.
Today's unemployment sits at around 9% or 14 million people. But a lot of job hunters spend their days (hopefully) perusing jobsites like craigslist and submitting dozens of resumes every day to no avail.
How do you distinguish yourself from a pile of 400 resumes?
Well you start by doing slightly more than your average job seeker, and if you really want a job, you will make finding a job your full time job.
Pay attention to the concepts outlined in this article to find out where to start and how to transform yourself into a prime candidate and become a Job Winner rather than a Lazy Seeker.
Yes, there are jobs out there. In fact hundreds of new jobs are posted in your area every week. So if you keep applying to them how come you are still unemployed?
Well, the fact that they are looking at a stack of a minimum 100 resumes doesn't help. Even if you are lucky enough to get an interview, they are probably speaking with 5 other candidates more qualified, and more prepared for that job.
So what is your spin on this? Become one of the 5 other candidates that APPEARS more qualified AND more prepared. This might sound like a lot of work, but if you look at it, it's less work than a 40 hour/week job, and it's definitely a better use of your time. And remember if you want to stand out, you must put the leg work to do so:
1. Cater your application to every new job
Lazy Seeker: submits same resume and cover letter to dozens of jobs in 15 minutes and things he's done for the date.
Job Winner: Every time you apply to a job, apply to it like it's the ONLY one. Rewrite your cover letter to highlight the skills and expertise the job post asks for, every single time.
2. Find your unique selling proposition
Lazy Seeker: will tell the same story on an interview about his history, background, strengths, and weaknesses.
Job Winner: will develop listening skills to bond with the interviewer and share relevant stories that will highlight their strengths and automatically build value to the employer.
3. Have stories to back you up
Lazy Seeker: "well that's pretty much it"
Job Winner: will create and share stories about his strengths and weaknesses and give a little insight about the company he's interviewing for from his perspective. Stories create pictures that will make the employer visualize them in the company already: "in this position with your company I would...and I know you will enjoy..."
4. Create and manage your public brand
Lazy Seeker: "what brand? You mean clothing brand?"
Job Winner: what comes up when you Google your name? Job winners make sure they polish their Facebook or LinkedIn profiles to be professional. Some even create blogs where they share stories about helping their communities or being involved in noble causes. This builds your brand. This builds your value.
5. Be willing to downgrade your expectations
Lazy Seeker: "Well this is not a great job, I'll just wait for a better one"
Job Winner: "I need a job NOW. This opportunity is here, and I will take it. I will use the time and experience I have when I am EMPLOYED to find my dream job."
6. Find out about the company (and mention it in the interview)
Lazy Seeker: " so what exactly would I be doing?"
Job Winner: "well I noticed that your company...which I am very happy about because I feel that I would...so this is perfect for me and I am very excited to start here. With that said, what else do you need to know about me before you make your hiring decision?"
7. Keep up to date with current events
Lazy Seeker: "the price is right is on..."
Job Winner: takes this time to read about current events, economically, locally, and find stories he can use for his advantage.
8. Develop job skills on the hunt
Lazy Seeker: gets better at sitting on the couch
Job Winner: reads a few books that would give him basic understanding of concepts he could use in interviews and on cover letters to give the appearance he is a well rounded and qualified candidate.
9. Make the call rather than an email
Lazy Seeker: "great I sent 25 emails today!"
Job Winner: finds every opportunity to get the employer on the phone because an email will get lost in the hundreds of other job applicant's and that phone call gives him the opportunity to present his case.
10. Drive your activity passionately until you get a job
Lazy Seeker: "I guess I'll look for some more jobs today, but the economy sucks more today."
Job Winner: get's to work every single day and does everything with passion and conviction. Constantly affirming to himself that he will find a job today and always makes sure the employer knows that he is more qualified and wants the job more than the other lazy seekers he has spoken to today.