Although we are in tough economic times, it is not impossible to find a job. The following article is full of great tips you can use to increase your chances of finally finding work. Put them to good use and remain optimistic; you’ll never get hired without the right attitude!
Go back to school. Your job search may require you to beef up your set of skills. It is crucial that you take advantage of any opportunity to learn in order to obtain a better job. Lots of self-guided study options exist that can be built around your schedule.
When dealing with employees, especially lots of them, it is important to maximize their productivity. Think about it. If you have ten super productive employees, you can save yourself, hundreds of thousands of dollars on benefits and wages, as compared to hiring twenty or more employees. As such, find ways to maximize productivity.
When hiring employees try to strike a balance between skill sets. For example, don’t hire everyone who is a fast typist, and no one who is slower but more organized. Those organizational skills may save you at some point. If you have a plethora of different skills available, your business will be more capable of handling a larger variety of situations.
Do not bring your phone with you when you are going on an interview. The last thing that you need to worry about is your phone ringing or people texting you on the day of your interview. You should only have one thing in mind on the day of your interview.
Create a document with your information in it for completing applications. A lot of the time you are going to have to provide contact information and dates you may not remember. A good practice is to write this down on a small piece of paper as a reminder. This way, it will be easier to fill out applications.
To a certain extent, be willing to swallow your pride. You may feel that you should only accept a certain type of job, with a certain type of salary. However, most jobs are better than no jobs, as you will continue to gain experience and references while working. Therefore, be flexible with what you are looking for.
When looking for a job, consider shifting industries. If you are in between jobs, that is usually the best time to make a change. If you have been working in sales, for example, now might be the best time to shift to real estate. Look for ways to use your skillset in new ways, and that will expand the list of possible jobs for you.
Speak with your friends and acquaintances from college to see if you can leverage off of your contact list to find a job. You will be surprised just how far the branch extends with the people that you know to all of the companies that are in your line of work.
Showcase your writing skills and creative abilities with a comprehensive, interesting portfolio. Even if you are not pursuing a career in writing or marketing, communication skills are critical in any profession. Your portfolio should include a variety of written documents, such as press releases, business reports, research findings and executive summaries. These demonstrate that you can communicate with others in a professional environment and formal context.
Update your resume. You should always keep your resume current, even when you are not on the hunt for a job. You never know when an opportunity may present itself, so have a copy of your resume ready and available. It will also be easier to keep track of previous employment when you don’t have to track down each bit of info as you need it.
Come up with a professional sounding email address when job hunting. Include your full name so that people can easily search for your email, especially if it has your resume attached, when they need to fill a position. You can stop using the email address once you’ve found a job.
Get help. There are numerous free or low cost services available that can help you obtain everything from career advice to resume writing. A good place to start your search for these services is your local library and Department of Labor. Look for applicable classes and workshops and sign up!
Don’t be hesitant to give your cellphone number rather than your landline to prospective employers. You’ll be able to take calls when you’re out and about this way. This reduces the chance that you will miss an important call.
As silly as it may seem, be sure the email address, you use when applying for jobs is an appropriate one. Your current email address can be something cute or personal, but when you apply for a job, it does not make you look very professional. Most email providers offer free sign ups so it will not cost you anything to create a professional email address.
You should sign up for health insurance through your employer’s group plan. It is cheaper to have the premium taken directly from your pay than what you would pay for an individual plan. When you are married, you need to compare both your plan and your spouse’s plan in order to determine which one is the best.
Searching through want-ads and going on endless interviews can get very frustrating after a while. Keep your attitude positive and use the above tips. Relentlessly pursue your goal of becoming employed and you will find that it does happen. Despite this economy, people who persist in trying are finding themselves gainfully employed!