Employment - when you are seeking a job

Looking for work 101

Skills

Brush up on skills and learn new ones free

You need a job. You keep running into a dead end because you lack the skills that are needed. You don’t have money to go back to school. No problem, you can learn those skills for free. That’s right. Each city has a training center that will train you in needed skills for free.

Create a resume

If you have joined the local city training organization, they will help you with your resume. Take a flash drive with you to the training. You can transport your word documents that you create including your resume.

Employers are looking for job stability, flexibility and commitment. Thus, your resume should reflect this.

Customize your resume for each job. Spend a bit of time researching the company and make adjustments as needed. You may find that some tweaking enhances your resume anyway.

Applying for jobs

Email communication

Set up an email account. Yahoo, gmail, and many other sites allow you to do this easily and for free.

Online job boards

More 1000 job boards online and more than 75% of recruitment companies now advertise job vacancies online. If you do not have a computer, you may go to any library and utilize their services for free. Some cafes offer computer use for free. Network with friends and family who may allow you to use their computer.

Set up accounts with job boards. Monster.com, indeed.com are just a few. Use key words such as job boards, Looking for employment, etc.

Fill out online applications. Many of the online applications require you to upload your resume or copy and paste. This is where your flashdrive will come in handy. In many cases you may also email your resume.

Networking online

Blogs, twitter, facebook etc. offer means to network with others online

Career Fairs

Attend all career fairs in your local area. This is a great way to network with not only employers but fellow job seekers. Not all men are created equal. You are not all looking in the same field. Yet, they may know of a job opening that does not meet their expertise but is perfect for you.

Universities

Contact your local universities. They will be aware of upcoming career fairs. They may also have a job locating service.

Cities also have human resource offices, which may be able to help you locate a job within the city government or within local businesses.

Media

Besides the Internet job boards there are local job boards such as Craigslist and other local job board postings to seek employment. There are city newspapers and local newspapers that continue to advertise job postings.

Employment agencies

Why not have others working for you. Many recruitment agencies exist throughout the world. Apply at all of them. It is like having an army working for you. They need you as much as you need them.

Interviewing

You finally have an interview after all that prep. The image that you present in your first impression is everything. Arrive on time, which means arriving a few minutes early and dress for success. Wear business attire.

Do your research. Find out anything you can about the organization that you are about to interview with. Call the research and development company and explain that you are about to interview with their organization. Ask if there are specific skills that are needed at the present time. Brainstorm how you can help to meet those needs. Be prepared to discuss this in your interview.

Call ahead of time and get the names and proper spelling of the names of people who will be interviewing you. Prepare a folder for each interviewer with a copy of your resume and some samples of your work if possible. Leave this folder with each interviewer. This will offer something tangible for the interviewers to remember you by and it shows that you were willing to do the work to impress them. You definitely want to leave an impression and be memorable..

If you are on a budget, consignment shops offer suits at discount prices. Nonprofit organizations such as Salvation Army or City Missions offer clothing at discount prices.

Men it would be preferable to wear a suit. However, if you do not have a suit, at least wear a pair of dress slacks and a shirt and tie.

Ladies, wear a suit or a dress that is appropriate for daytime wear. You want to appear serious about seeking employment.

Communication skills

Speak clearly. You may say something light hearted to break the ice but beyond that be serious and sincere. Be prepared to answer questions honestly. Expand on your responses but don’t go on and on. Be concise. Do not be afraid to state that you do not know the answer to a question. Honesty is always best.

Be prepared for the question: Do you have anything that you would like to know or add? Ask: May I ask when you will make a decision? Is there anything that I can bring to the table that has not already been discussed as I am willing to gain new skills if that would support your organization?

Look your employer directly in the eyes, thank them for their time and shake their hands. Tell your interviewer how much you would really like to earn the position and how impressed you are with their organization.

It’s a numbers game

Try not to get discouraged. You will most likely need to go on a number of interviews. The more you interview, the better you will get at it. It truly is a numbers game. We all have our good days and our better days. Be well rested the night before an interview to put forward your best foot. It is a numbers game to find that perfect match of personalities.