Job Search Advice
Through our years of experience, the following are practices that we have found successful for job seekers at all levels.
- Research fields and professions that you desire.
- Get a free critique by a skilled resumé writer. This is usually your first point of contact with a potential employer and your resumé should be viewed as a marketing document.
- Do not limit your resources. Utilize all potential sources. Sometimes the employment hunting process is a numbers game and the more contacts you make the better your chances.
- Personal and professional networking is still considered the most valuable employment tool.
- When e-mailing resumés, also follow up with a hard copy in the mail, on good quality, conservative color paper, if able to do so. Very few people do this. It gets you noticed.
- Post yourself on various online job sites, but only if unemployed.
- Contact several search firms and forward your resumé to those who place people in your field.
- Research companies that you are interested in working for. This exhibits initiative and employers want to hire people who want to work for them.
- Follow-up after an interview with a brief e-mailed and/or mailed "Thank You" note or letter. (Not a Handwritten Thank You Card)
- Contact former colleagues, supervisors, clients, vendors and friends to network and find out if they have any job openings and present them with a good quality copy of your resumé to present to their manager.
Interview Tips
- Be flexible and open as each company has its own personality, culture and style.
- Dress appropriately and professionally.
- Thoroughly research information about the company and let the interviewer(s) know what you have found out and what impressed you.
- Arrive 10 minutes early.
- Greet the interviewer with a smile and firm handshake.
- Listen carefully and address the questions. Candidates often are so interested in stating what they want to say that they neglect to answer direct questions.
- Indicate that you have researched the company and ask some, but not too many questions.
- Do not bring up salary, benefits, vacation, etc. The interviewer will mention these if they are interested in you.
- Let the interviewer know that you are interested in the position and that you would like to work for him/her and the company. (Not Just The Company)
- Cordially thank the interviewer for his/her time.