Great Tips For The Job Hunt

With the economy in a lul and a bachelor’s degree becoming an industry standard, there are many recent graduates plastering their resumes on every job description they can get their hands on (myself included). What most of these young adults don’t realize is that without experience there is pretty much nothing that sets them apart from every other graduate. This article is going to set you apart from the rest.

Disclaimer: Not all tips will work for all career choices. Some industries and companies are still very conservative and old fashioned, so take each tip with a grain of salt.

There are more than a few things you can do to set yourself apart from the pack.  The goal here is to be seen as a person, instead of a resume or just another applicant.  People are drawn to people they can relate to.  Some of my tips are going to seem contrary to everything  you’ve been taught, but remember that if your goal is to be seen differently than everyone else, you’re going to have to do things differently than everyone else does things.

Resume

First of all, let’s tackle the resume.  I’m not going to tell you that I am the best resume writer in the world, because I’m not.  But I’ve read a lot about what employers look for, and I can tell you that it’s all in the presentation.  Follow these tips and you will be one step ahead.

• First of all, read these: How to Write a Resume, A Glimpse and a Hook, and Top 7 Tricks for Getting an Interview (these will give you a better idea of where to start)
• Have a different resume for every job field you are considering entering.  Accent your strengths for those fields in each resume.  For example, nobody in health care cares that you can network computers, and nobody in technology cares that you can take vitals… keep it relevant.
• Accent colors.  While there are a few that still don’t appreciate this, it has served me well, and brought potential employer’s eyes to my resume over it’s black and white counterparts.
• Picture. This one is definitely another to consider with a grain of salt.  If you have a good portrait and can implement it well within your resume, it can definitely set you apart, but if not you should probably skip this.  Also, to the conservative company, this may not be something they appreciate.  Ex: See my resume here (the picture converter left a gap between the header and objective, that doesn’t actually exist…).
• Hobbies and Interests.  Unless this is directly related to the career you are interested in seeking, leave it out.  If they are interested in your interests, they will ask you at the interview.
• Keep an ounce of mystery, so that you have something to talk about at the interview.

Cover Letter

Here is one that they didn’t cover in school.  As it turns out, almost every employer for an entry level position requires, or at least requests a cover letter along with your resume.  The sad thing is, because people don’t want write 100 different cover letters (and they are applying to 100s of jobs), they write one or two bland, general letters that will suffice for each application.  I’m not going to tell you to write a hundred different letters, but if you can write a general letter (with blanks for details) you can get away with something that shows your interest in the position (and company), as well as your confidence in your ability to satisfy the needs of the employer.

In my cover letters (I have one for each field of interest…) I have spots where I can double click and insert information relevant to the position I’m applying for, without having to write a new letter for each application.  See one of my letters here.  Say what you need to in as few words as possible.  Again, remember to keep an ounce of mystery, so that you have something to talk about at the interview.

Interview

So you’ve made it to the interview.  Congratulations on making it this far, but there is still a lot to do.  First of all, read this and this.  Once you have those short reads under your belt you will be better prepared.  A couple of things to remember:

• in the interview is that they have seen your stats, so they know that you are qualified.  Now it’s time to sell them with your charm.  I’m not saying to be fake here, far from it.  What you need to do is show them that you are a human being, not a robot.
• Characteristics that employers look for are confidence, motivation, politeness, and interpersonal skills. Be comfortable in your own skin.
• A little strategy that I use is to dress great to feel great.  I have an interview coming up, and the potential employer told me that the dress code is “business casual” at minimum.  This means that I will dress a little better than that, to show that I am taking it seriously, without trying to showboat.  A clean pressed suite (gray, black, or navy blue), classic white button up, and red or blue tie is a conservative yet distinctly impressive look.
• Hygiene and grooming are everything here.  If you don’t look like you are put together for the interview, how can you expect them to want you representing their company on a daily basis?  A subtle sweet smelling cologne or perfume is great, but 5 sprays is ridiculous.  Also, gentlemen, take care of that facial hair.
• Handshakes: firm grip, make eye contact, introduce yourself and remember the other person’s name.  You’ll want to address them personally throughout the interview, so don’t forget the name.

Alright, so we’ve covered the basics.  Now you have to get out there and make things happen.  Here are a few general tips to help you on your way.

• Apply to every job that seems remotely interesting.  Even if you don’t completely qualify, or if your experience is less than what they are looking for.  A great, enthusiastic person can win over an employer better than a better qualified person who doesn’t have the same qualities.  Remember, the worst thing that can happen is they don’t call, right?
• Return phone calls from potential employers in a timely manner.  Positions get filled quickly, so give yourself a fighting chance.
• Smile during every phone call.  You may not think it makes a difference, but trust me when I tell you that they can hear it on the other end.
• Do your homework.  Know a thing or two about the company before you get into the office.  Employers will relish in knowing that you have taken a vested interest in what they do.
• Be Enthusiastic.  People are drawn to enthusiasm.  It’s like a drug, and we all want more.  Be the person who gives them more.
• Thank people. Everyone in the process is doing something that could potentially help you greatly (by helping you land the job), so don’t forget to give thanks to those who deserve it.
• Remember, we are all people.  Sometimes people get so stressed out during an interview, it’s like the employer is the executioner.  They are just trying to see if you are the right fit.  Nobody will benefit from your stress, so take a deep breath, put your best foot forward, and all will go well.

Did we leave anything out?  What great tips do you have for getting the job?  Leave a comment below and let us know what works for you.