Smart Guidelines for Your Job Search

By Richard Jenkins Sr.

     For the majority, looking for a job is all about submitting as many resumes as they can until they're called for an interview by one of those organizations they've wanted to work for. However, the length of time between the day of CV submission and the job offer varies; some will be able to do it for a very short period of time while it may take forever for the others.
     So what exactly sets the former apart from the latter? These savvy job hunters may have more likely employed strategies which works for today's highly competitive job hunting crowd. The tips below explain these strategies.

1. Know yourself.

     The first step to actually getting that dream job is knowing exactly what you want, what you can offer and what your priorities are. Assess your skills, interests, values and accomplishments. Afterwards, formulate your job hunting goals out of your assessment.

2. Treat your resume and cover letter as your sales pitch.

     When trying to sell something, you do not just inform the potential buyer of what the product can generally do, right? You try to figure out the customer's needs and preferences and tailor fit your sales pitch from there. This is how exactly you should create your resume and cover letter.
Do a research of the organization you're eyeing and figure out their current internal problems. They might be looking for an expert or an experienced candidate and you might have the qualities they require for the vacant job. By highlighting your skills as the solution they're looking for in your resume, there's no doubt that you will most likely close the sale and get the job.

3. Network, network, network.

     Back in 2009, a survey amongst HR executives by Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed that networking is the most effective method in finding a job. This still holds true 3 years later. Networking, both online and offline, is exactly how the best jobs in the world are found. Continue reading this article for some outstanding networking tips:
- Join conferences and gatherings that are related to your field. If you plan to go the extra mile, you can join events which are not related to the industry you are in. No one can tell who (or what) you'll meet there. A better job, perhaps?
- Catch up with former colleagues and employers.
- Converse with people as much as you can - from the shopkeeper to the butcher to the bank teller.
- Sign up for industry newsletters and participate in industry-specific forums or online boards.

4. Think and move ahead of others.

     When it comes to job hunting, good things certainly do NOT come to those who wait. Try cold calling HR offices to check for new job opportunities. While cold calling may be intimidating, this strategy will certainly pay off if you're persistent enough.Sharpen your cold calling skills, be proactive and make things happen.
There's no denying that job hunting may wear you down. Always keep a positive attitude and hold your head up high.

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