Job Search 101: Pt 1 Getting Your Feet Wet

When first jumping into the job search, it can be scary (I know because I was there not too long ago).  Today's job market is tough and extremely competitive. There are many things that job seekers should be doing BEFORE they even apply. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some tips to help you along your job hunt.

1. Decide What You Want To Do- When you are job hunting, that is your job. So this is the perfect time to figure out who you are and what you want to be doing. If you're not sure there are a lot of websites that can help guide you. One idea to get started is taking a quiz to see what careers match your personality.  As cheesy as it sounds, the world is your oyster so find a career that gets your excited. 

2. Make the First Move- If there is a company that you have been lusting after it's ok to email (make sure to attach a resume) to inquire about future vacancies. One thing to keep in mind: do not flood their inboxes! The last thing you want to do is to come across as a stalker. 

3. Act Fast- Apply for it!- I highly recommend that you are continuously checking job boards because new positions get posted all the time. Also check unconventional methods, like social media sites such as: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. What this really comes down to is the need to jump on opportunities. When you come across a job post that sparks your interest- Apply ASAP. The longer you wait the longer the list of other applicants will grow. By sending it in sooner, this can help from falling in between the cracks.   

4. Follow Directions- While this seems simple enough, many people eliminate themselves by not following directions. Many employers will simply throw out your resume if you did not follow the directions. They believe that if the application process is not done correctly, then what will happen when you are in the position. So ALWAYS double check that you have done what they asked.

While these are the starting points to your job search, the one thing that you should always have on hand is a CV and resume. On the next post I will be diving into cover letters, resumes, and e-mailing them (ohh my!).