In a recession, finding a job isn’t easy and landing a good job can be even harder. It requires patience, careful planning, due diligence, and excellent communication skills. Oftentimes, people become discouraged while looking for a job, which can lead to financial hardships, anxiety, and depression. Here are some ways to help you quickly find and land a job.
Finding a Job
- What Kind of Job Are You Interested In?
It’s always hard to find a job if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, which is why you should take a step back and consider the line of work you’re interested in. You could come up with a checklist of what you’re looking for, such as pay, location, and what the position entails. It’s also important to focus on only jobs you’re qualified for.
- Using Social Networking
When searching for a new job, it never hurts to utilize social networking. Knowing the right person at the right moment can help quickly land you a job; ask former colleagues or co-workers if they know of any job openings. When asking around, you should be careful, especially if you’re currently employed, the last thing you want is for your current boss to find out you’re looking for new employment.
- College Contacts
Going to college not only helps further your education, but it also gives you a chance to make plenty of contacts. You graduating class can be used as a great networking tool when it comes to finding a new job.
- Apply Directly to the Companies You Want to Work For
Targeting the specific company you want to work for is a great way to get hired on quickly. This gives you a chance to research your future employer and become better acquainted with the company.
- Recruitment and Temp Agencies
If you’re in need of a job, it never hurts to use a recruiter or temp agency. Recruiting agencies have plenty of contacts and the know-how, which can help you streamline your search and find a job more quickly. Many agencies will charge a small fee, while others will provide free career placement services.
- Internship Opportunities
While looking for a job, make sure you do plenty of research. Oftentimes a company may offer internship programs, which can either be paid or unpaid. An internship is a great way to get your foot in the door; it allows you to make new contacts and helps showcase your capabilities.
- Newspapers
If you’re not the most technologically savvy person, someone who’s unfamiliar with social media, or if you lack internet access, you could look for jobs in your local newspaper. Look for a job in the specific industry that you’d like to pursue. Applying for jobs online is usually faster and more efficient, but using a newspaper has been just as reliable.
Landing a Job
- Choose your Cover Letter Wisely
Contrary to popular belief, your cover letter is just as important as your resume, which is why it’s important to take your time before you submit it. Hiring managers usually receive hundreds of applications a month, giving them only a couple of seconds to review, which is why it’s important for your cover letter to grab their attention. You should try to update your cover for each specific job you apply for and include a short paragraph about yourself, along with your qualifications. This will let the recruiter know that you have the qualifications to match the job and increase your likelihood of being hired.
- Keep Your Resume Updated
Before you go out and start job hunting, you should make sure to update your resume and include your qualifications, work history, and previous schooling. If you’re taking on a new line of work, you should consider revamping your resume and cover letter. Employers often have to shuffle through hundreds of resumes, which is why you should do plenty of ample research and fine-tune your resume to the best of your ability. Also, if you submit your application online, it never hurts to include an external link to your LinkedIn profile, as long as it’s updated.
- Don’t Come off Desperate
Even if you’ve been unemployed for months or years, you never want to come off desperate, it doesn’t matter how desperate the situation may be. If your potential employer senses desperation, it’ll likely hurt your chances of being hired and can lead to a lowball offer. If you come off desperate during the interview process, it can be a huge red flag to employers. It can lead them to believe that you’re difficult to work with or require an unnecessary amount of attention, which is why desperation is never an attractive quality.
- Watch Your Body Language
There is nothing more important in life than having a proper sense of self-awareness, which is crucial during the interview process. A lack of self-awareness can oftentimes cost you a job, which is why you should pay close attention to your body language. During the job interview, you should always make eye contact, sit up straight, and smile appropriately.
- Try Not to Leave Any Blank Spots on Your Resume
After you finish filling out your resume, look it over and make sure it’s filled out completely. There is nothing that looks worse to an employer than a resume filled with blank spaces. Even If you haven’t worked in a year, you never want your resume to look like you haven’t been doing anything. There are other things to bolster your resume besides employment history; you could instead put down, volunteer work or any other projects you’ve worked on in the past.
- Know How to Answer Key Interview Questions Correctly
Being interviewed for a job, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the job can be a very intimidating situation. It’s important to remember that the interviewer most likely interviews dozens of candidates a month and oftentimes will ask the same questions during each interview. A successful interview is vital and can make or break your chances of landing the job, which is why you should answer each question correctly and truthfully. A question commonly asked during a job interview is “When it comes to your previous employment, what did you accomplish and what could you have done better?”
- Never Mention Anything Bad about Your Previous Employer
When being interviewed by your potential future employer, you should remember that first impressions are everything, which is why you should try to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully. You should be sure to never badmouth or say anything negative about your previous boss or co-workers. The first thing to cross the interviewer’s mind will be, what will you say about their company once the time comes for you to either move on or find another employer. You should always try to turn negatives into positives; all employers have weaknesses, which can be easily turned into a positive. If your weakness is procrastination or if you have trouble working under time restraints, you can implement deadlines to ensure your work is finished on time.
- Choosing a Less Desirable Job
If you’re looking to land a job quickly or if you’re trying to break into a new line of work, you should choose a position no one else wants. Choosing a less desirable position is a great way to get hired on quickly. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the position, as long as you’re willing to learn, there is a strong likelihood that you’ll end up being hired.
In a recession, finding a job isn’t easy and landing a good job can be even harder. It requires patience, careful planning, due diligence, and excellent communication skills. Oftentimes, people become discouraged while looking for a job, which can lead to financial hardships, anxiety, and depression. Here are some ways to help you quickly find and land a job.
Finding a Job
- What Kind of Job Are You Interested In?
It’s always hard to find a job if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, which is why you should take a step back and consider the line of work you’re interested in. You could come up with a checklist of what you’re looking for, such as pay, location, and what the position entails. It’s also important to focus on only jobs you’re qualified for.
- Using Social Networking
When searching for a new job, it never hurts to utilize social networking. Knowing the right person at the right moment can help quickly land you a job; ask former colleagues or co-workers if they know of any job openings. When asking around, you should be careful, especially if you’re currently employed, the last thing you want is for your current boss to find out you’re looking for new employment.
- College Contacts
Going to college not only helps further your education, but it also gives you a chance to make plenty of contacts. You graduating class can be used as a great networking tool when it comes to finding a new job.
- Apply Directly to the Companies You Want to Work For
Targeting the specific company you want to work for is a great way to get hired on quickly. This gives you a chance to research your future employer and become better acquainted with the company.
- Recruitment and Temp Agencies
If you’re in need of a job, it never hurts to use a recruiter or temp agency. Recruiting agencies have plenty of contacts and the know-how, which can help you streamline your search and find a job more quickly. Many agencies will charge a small fee, while others will provide free career placement services.
- Internship Opportunities
While looking for a job, make sure you do plenty of research. Oftentimes a company may offer internship programs, which can either be paid or unpaid. An internship is a great way to get your foot in the door; it allows you to make new contacts and helps showcase your capabilities.
- Newspapers
If you’re not the most technologically savvy person, someone who’s unfamiliar with social media, or if you lack internet access, you could look for jobs in your local newspaper. Look for a job in the specific industry that you’d like to pursue. Applying for jobs online is usually faster and more efficient, but using a newspaper has been just as reliable.
Landing a Job
- Choose your Cover Letter Wisely
Contrary to popular belief, your cover letter is just as important as your resume, which is why it’s important to take your time before you submit it. Hiring managers usually receive hundreds of applications a month, giving them only a couple of seconds to review, which is why it’s important for your cover letter to grab their attention. You should try to update your cover for each specific job you apply for and include a short paragraph about yourself, along with your qualifications. This will let the recruiter know that you have the qualifications to match the job and increase your likelihood of being hired.
- Keep Your Resume Updated
Before you go out and start job hunting, you should make sure to update your resume and include your qualifications, work history, and previous schooling. If you’re taking on a new line of work, you should consider revamping your resume and cover letter. Employers often have to shuffle through hundreds of resumes, which is why you should do plenty of ample research and fine-tune your resume to the best of your ability. Also, if you submit your application online, it never hurts to include an external link to your LinkedIn profile, as long as it’s updated.
- Don’t Come off Desperate
Even if you’ve been unemployed for months or years, you never want to come off desperate, it doesn’t matter how desperate the situation may be. If your potential employer senses desperation, it’ll likely hurt your chances of being hired and can lead to a lowball offer. If you come off desperate during the interview process, it can be a huge red flag to employers. It can lead them to believe that you’re difficult to work with or require an unnecessary amount of attention, which is why desperation is never an attractive quality.
- Watch Your Body Language
There is nothing more important in life than having a proper sense of self-awareness, which is crucial during the interview process. A lack of self-awareness can oftentimes cost you a job, which is why you should pay close attention to your body language. During the job interview, you should always make eye contact, sit up straight, and smile appropriately.
- Try Not to Leave Any Blank Spots on Your Resume
After you finish filling out your resume, look it over and make sure it’s filled out completely. There is nothing that looks worse to an employer than a resume filled with blank spaces. Even If you haven’t worked in a year, you never want your resume to look like you haven’t been doing anything. There are other things to bolster your resume besides employment history; you could instead put down, volunteer work or any other projects you’ve worked on in the past.
- Know How to Answer Key Interview Questions Correctly
Being interviewed for a job, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the job can be a very intimidating situation. It’s important to remember that the interviewer most likely interviews dozens of candidates a month and oftentimes will ask the same questions during each interview. A successful interview is vital and can make or break your chances of landing the job, which is why you should answer each question correctly and truthfully. A question commonly asked during a job interview is “When it comes to your previous employment, what did you accomplish and what could you have done better?”
- Never Mention Anything Bad about Your Previous Employer
When being interviewed by your potential future employer, you should remember that first impressions are everything, which is why you should try to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully. You should be sure to never badmouth or say anything negative about your previous boss or co-workers. The first thing to cross the interviewer’s mind will be, what will you say about their company once the time comes for you to either move on or find another employer. You should always try to turn negatives into positives; all employers have weaknesses, which can be easily turned into a positive. If your weakness is procrastination or if you have trouble working under time restraints, you can implement deadlines to ensure your work is finished on time.
- Choosing a Less Desirable Job
If you’re looking to land a job quickly or if you’re trying to break into a new line of work, you should choose a position no one else wants. Choosing a less desirable position is a great way to get hired on quickly. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the position, as long as you’re willing to learn, there is a strong likelihood that you’ll end up being hired.
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