Surefire Ways to Get a Job

There are some things you can't control when hunting for work. You wait for employers to contact you while competing with other candidates who may have stronger credentials.

You can, however, take steps to improve the efficiency of your job hunt. The process will be faster and more rewarding in this manner, regardless of the state of the economy.

The trick is to get organized and take care of oneself. Use this checklist to work smarter, not harder, as you prepare for your next job.

Tips for Organizing Your Job Search

Preparing ahead of time and keeping to a routine may help you feel less stressed and accomplish more. You'll get the most bang for your buck with this option.

Take a look at these helpful hints:

Create a list of your goals.

Charting your work path may help you understand your values and make better decisions.

You'll be able to focus your efforts on the most crucial objectives.

Use your strengths to your advantage.

Create a one-of-a-kind job search by personalizing it to your skills and resources.

Maybe you have a sizable alumni network. Maybe you're more comfortable communicating on paper or over the phone.

Limit the amount of research you do.

You must be familiar with the companies to which you are applying, but you must also ensure that you have the time to finish the remainder of your tasks.

You can discover more about the company if you are invited to an interview.

Improve the quality of your writing.

Make your applications stand out in a sea of similar ones.

Make sure your cover letters are suited to the requirements of each employment.

Use keywords to your advantage. Describe your prior achievements and what you can contribute.

Take advantage of technology.

Automate jobs to save time.

When new employment become available, you'll receive email alerts, allowing you to be among the first to apply.

Use project management applications to keep track of and analyze your work.

Create a batch of jobs that are similar.

Make time to look at job boards and keep in touch with people in your network.

Activities that require the same mental process take less time since your brain does not have to switch gears.

Minimize distractions as much as possible.

Look for areas where you might be wasting time.

Make sure your family and friends know when you don't want to be disturbed.

Limit the amount of video you view and the amount of time you spend on the internet.

Clear out the junk.

Create a more orderly environment for yourself.

Reduce the amount of paper you consume and devise an efficient filing system.

Seek out help.

Make your family, friends, and coworkers aware of how they can assist you.

If your efforts have come to a halt, talk to recruiters and consider hiring a professional resume writer.

You probably already know that sites like Monster.com have tons of postings for jobs and they attract loads of applicants.

Although the job market may be competitive there are many openings available if you know where to look.

One job site, Indeed.com reports that postings are at an all-time high.

That is the good news. Now all you have to do is figure out how to make the company you want to work for hire you.

There are many great opportunities available and tips on how to craft an attention-grabbing resume that will impress any interviewer.

There are going to be lots of other people applying for the same job so how do you become the one they choose to see?

Your resume needs to stand out from all the other applicants. There are a number of ways that this can be accomplished.

Be Colorful!

Often an employer will scan resumes to see if anything catches their eye and one way to do this is to trick them into giving your resume a second look by using a touch of color.

Red or blue seems to be the best choice. Evidently, the human eye is drawn to bright colors.

Don't go overboard here as you need to keep most of the text black with just a pop of color on the underline of your previous job titles or divide the parts of the resume with a colored line.

Key Phrases

If you aren't sure what to put in your resume check the job description.

Employers will use key phrases in their ads and all you need to do is repeat them in your resume.

Did you know that some companies actually use a computer to search for key phrases in the submitted resumes?

These companies will only interview those people who have captured those phrases in their resumes!

The Right Format

It is important to make sure that your potential employer can actually read your resume.

If your resume is in a format that is not compatible with their computer program your resume will never be seen.

An easy solution is to save your document as a PDF so all your formatting will be preserved and your potential employer will be able to read the resume.

Most computer programs have an option under the Print tab to produce the document as a PDF.

Now that you've gotten an interview how do you impress your potential employer? There are a couple of different ways you can help to make that happen.

First, make sure that how you dress is compatible with the company.

If everyone wears business casual or they have a more formal dress code, then you should show up for the interview in a similar fashion.

If you are a woman, keep your perfume to a minimum.

A recent study showed that applicants with heavy perfume often did not get the job.

However, women who wore sportily, light citrus scents were almost always successful! It seems that citrus scents send an optimistic message while overbearing scents can be a distraction.

Studies have also shown that wearing the color red shows confidence, strength, and power.

If you are a man you can add a red tie or a shirt with red stripes or if you are a woman add an accessory in red such as a bracelet or scarf.

It is important to not go overboard with the color.

Did you know that companies have started to use some time-saving methods to interview their candidates?

A lot of companies are using Zoom or Skype or even the telephone for interviews.

This is a great way for them to eliminate people before they see them in person, especially if they receive loads of applications.

This can work for you if you know a few simple tricks that will showcase your skills.

First Tip

Wear blue if you are being interviewed on Zoom or Skype! Not only is this a calming color, but it also makes you appear focused.

Also, make sure your surroundings are tidy.

Your potential employer will want to see that you are a neat and organized person as it sends a message that you are a professional.

Acing the Phone Interview

Because your potential employer can't see your face, it is important that you come across as enthusiastic and confident.

Make sure you smile while you are speaking as this will be translated across the phone lines.

Also, make sure you speak calmly and not too quickly.

The interviewer needs to be able to understand what you are saying and that you are confident in your abilities.

It's difficult to be productive when you're anxious and upset.

Investing in yourself will help you stay energized and make a better first impression during interviews.

You can use the following tactics to help you:

Get a good night's sleep.

Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

Even if you're unemployed, set your alarm clock for the same time every day.

Get out of bed and do something uninteresting until you fall asleep if worrying thoughts keep you awake at night.

Consume a well-balanced diet.

Consume nutritious meals and snacks.

If you're on a tight budget, stock up on beans, lentils, and oats.

Fresh vegetables are frequently more expensive than frozen vegetables, but they can be just as nutritious.

Make it a habit to exercise on a regular basis.

Staying active will provide you with more energy, enhance your attitude, and make sleeping easier.

Do some jumping jacks or go for a run.

Stretch and conduct bodyweight exercises at home.

Maintain a healthy level of stress.

Allow yourself to relax and enjoy yourself.

Reach out to a friend or a community hotline if you're having problems dealing with difficult emotions.

Some Final Thoughts:

A lengthy job hunt can be draining on your self-esteem as well as your bank account.

Being productive will help you develop in your career and increase your chances of success.