Job Search Basics Tips: It’s Who You Know

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: It’s Who You Know
Successful networking is a key component of any job search. Many professional organizations host networking events, or you can search the local paper or online news sites or job banks for community networking events.

Don’t neglect the people closest to you when considering who is in your network. The following people and organizations may all have valuable job search leads for you:

- Family
- Friends
- Teammates
- Club members
- Church members
- Trade organizations
- Neighborhood groups
- Online communities and forums
- Alumni associations

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Job Search Basics Tips: Shadowing

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: Shadowing
Ask a professional in your desired field if you can shadow them for a few hours or days. By following someone around, you’ll get a good idea of the daily duties that you can expect if you pursue that career. If all goes well, you’ll also have a contact for your job search later on.

College career guidance centers can often help set up a shadowing opportunity for you. Don’t be afraid to ask someone directly if you can shadow them. Many people are willing to help those just starting out.

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Job Search Basics Tips: Mid-course Corrections

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: Mid-course Corrections
Changing careers after several years of working is becoming increasingly common. If you are thinking about switching careers, conduct an online job search, review employment listings, or ask around to get ideas about new careers. Talk to people currently in your desired profession to find out what those jobs are like on a day-to-day basis.

Once you’ve decided on a new career, find out about retraining. With training programs, adult education classes and online and distance learning, it is likely you’ll be able to qualify for your new profession without going back to school full time.

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Job Search Basics Tips: Expanding Your Network

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: Expanding Your Network
Look for opportunities to expand your network at organizational meetings, trade shows, and conventions. Networking is as much a part of the job search process as is checking company employment listings or searching job banks.

To make the best use of your network, try to give as much help as you receive. Those you are able to help will think of your more quickly when they hear of something that will work for you.

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Job Search Basics Tips: Job Bank and Employment Listing Options

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: Job Bank and Employment Listing Options
Use as many different job banks as you can to increase your chances of finding a good match for your interests and skills. Locally, you can check the Department of Labor, college career centers or the newspaper.

Also check the Internet job bank sites. A few of the best are:

- abj.org (America’s Job Bank)
- Moster.com
- Yahoojobs.com
- Careerbulders.com
- Careers.msn.com

Also look into specialized employment listing sites. Some of these include:

- USAjobs.opm.gov – federal law enforcement job listings
- Rileyguide.com – internships, apprenticeships, volunteer and teen job listings
- Psychwatch.com/jobs – psychiatry, psychology and mental health job listings
- Academploy.com/jobs – links to state pages for educational job listings

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Job Search BasicsTips: Finding the Job

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search Basics Tips: Finding the Job
Nearly 80% of “open” employment opportunities and jobs are unadvertised. This means that your job search should go beyond want ads and employment listings. Take advantage of the other options available to you.

* Join professional organizations and social clubs.
* Attend job fairs.
* Sit in on lectures and conferences on topics that interest you.
* Search online job banks.

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Job Search BasicsTips: Government Employment Opportunities

July 2nd, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Job Search Basics Tips
Job Search BasicsTips: Government Employment Opportunities
Search for government jobs at your local Department of Labor office, which will offer various job listings as well as dates and applications for taking the civil service exams.

You can also type the word “government” into online job bank search engines to find a wide variety of jobs available in both the government and the non-profit industry.

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Interview Tips: Five Seconds and Counting

July 1st, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Interview Tips
Interview Tips: Five Seconds and Counting
You only have five seconds to make a first impression. In a job interview, these five seconds could determine how you spend a large portion of your life. To make the best first impression, follow these quidelines:

1. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and well groomed.
2. Keep jewelry conservative and cologne/perfume subtle.
3. Make eye contact.
4. Shake hands with a firm, full-handed grip.
5. Introduce yourself. The interviewer may have gone through several interviews already, and could lose track of where he left off.
6. Smile. A smile shows sincerity, caring, and interest.

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Interview Tips: Polite and Professional

July 1st, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Interview Tips
Interview Tips: Polite and Professional
Follow these guidelines when interviewing to present yourself in the best light.

1. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early for your interview. This shows you are respectful of the employer’s time and gives you some leeway in case you have difficulty getting there.

2. Let the interviewer lead the conversation. Although you want to talk about yourself, keep your responses focused on the job at hand instead of personal issues.

3. Come prepared with at least three questions to ask the interviewer about the company and the position you are applying for.

4. Always follow-up with a “thank you” note or letter.

5. Limit the amount of times you call the employer to check in on the status of the position.

6. If you didn’t get the job, send a letter thanking the employer for the opportunity to apply and asking for information on other open positions.

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Interview Tips: Weaknesses

July 1st, 2009 Shaka

Careers Jobs Tips >> Career Tips >> Interview Tips
Interview Tips: Weaknesses
It is likely that you will be asked to list up to three of your weaknesses in a job interview. While some experts recommend listing a non-weakness – like getting to work to early or being a perfectionist – it shows more thought and self-awareness to offer something legitimate and explain how you are improving it.

Think back to a recent job evaluation for inspiration. If you had a hard time managing someone or if a project didn’t turn out the way you hoped, you explain how you would do things differently next time to show that you are learning from your past experiences.

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