I really do think this is the present situation lol. First thing I never thought that the job market was this bad , I mean it's horrible right now. I have never had to go through this much hassle to get a new job anywhere, but I am thankful for it somewhat because I've learned so many different networking techniques , and who are the people that you want to speak to that can make a hiring decision. Here are a few things I've picked up that kind of making finding a new job a little easier.
1. First thing craigslist.org/monster.com/careerbuilder/indeed.com check your job sites on a daily basis , you never know a position may have opened that day that fits your qualifications and is perfect for you. Craigslist is very good because I personally think that works a little bit faster for me. The reason I say that is because the person that has placed the job posting on the website either is the hiring manager or is the person to get your information to the hiring manager.
2. Try to treat every interaction as an Interview!!! As interesting as that may sound , many employers are using so many different methods before the traditional interview is to take place. For example; the phone interview, voicemail, and email. When you respond to a job acquisition you want to treat that as if you speaking directly to the person. Don't use slang , you want to sound confident and determined to show them that you're the person for the job. Phone Interviews are HUGE!!! If you do this correctly this will do most of the work for you , I say that because it's all about how you sell yourself. You always have to be prepared for a phone interview no matter what because most places won't tell you that's what they want to do first until it's actually time. If you didn't have time for a phone interview MAKE ONE!!! This is all about catching you off guard because you didn't know they were calling so just put on that interview hat and do your thing. Voicemails are starting to be used now as well, what that means is some hiring managers instead of you calling them constantly they may either have a phone number set up or a voicemail box particularly for job applicants and they may ask you a few key questions to give responses to and that will help them to determine if you're qualified for the position, so like I said every encounter is an Interview!! Email is important as well , don't give a hiring manager your myspace email account , or something that isn't business related. If you don't have one, make one IMMEDIATELY before you even start your job search PLEASE!!! If you think a hiring manager is going to respond to "diva2435@yahoo.com" your clearly mistaken. Also remember to give them an email address that you check frequently meaning every day a few times a day. Cell phones these days are so advanced there is no excuse why you can't check your email , or send responses on a daily basis.
3. Set aside "Job Search Days"- With this you want to pick one or two days out of the week that you will devote solely to job hunting either online or in person. When I say "day" I mean the entire day , some of these managers get their emails to their blackberry's and may respond back to you after 5pm so definitely keep until you fall asleep if you can. That email or application that you did at 10:00pm the previous night may be the first email that they see when they hit their desk in the morning so there is nothing wrong with persistence at all. If you're going to job hunt in person , you want to first make several copies of your resume, and you want to make a list of the places that you wanted to go this way your not just scrambling all over the place. Having a plan of action every day is the best way to go. Also if you're going to look for jobs in person, please PLEASE!!! look presentable. Meaning honestly I would be dressed as it's interview day. You will get allot more respect and urgency because you're already in there face and you're ready to get started. If you present them with the opportunity to be interviewed immediately , then they may take you up on it. Even if they don't interview you on the spot , it's still a possibility. Also keep copies of your resume in your car or your bag , you never know who you will run into that will be hiring , or no someone who is. You always want to be ready.
4. Follow Up- You have to , hAVE TO HAVE TO DO THIS!!! I can't begin to stress the importance of this process. Whether it be via phone , email , or in person, in some way you have to follow up with the hiring manager or your point of contact if you're really interested in employment with that company. By phone can be very complicated some times because if you're not in their face then they may just brush you off , so that really depends on the person. You want to give them about a day or two if you've sent an email , or applied in person. Then if you haven't heard anything politely call or email them back asking them if there was any questions or concerns with your resume or application. By doing this , it shows them that you're persistent and very professional in how you interact with people which is very important. Now if you're going to follow up in person I would suggest from the first time that you initially went to the place of employment , you want to ask the hiring manager or store manager when is the best time to reach him/her , or ask them their schedule. Another option is before you attempt to return to the job , you can either call first to make sure that they are there, or if you already have their schedule you can just use that and return when you know that they are free.
5.Scheduling the interview/ Interview Day!!- This is a big one! This is what you've been working so hard to get the Interview. First thing I almost forgot when the hiring manager contacts you to schedule your for an interview MAKE SURE THAT YOU SCHEDULE IT WITHIN THAT SAME WEEK EITHER A DAY OR TWO FROM THE INITIAL DATE THAT HE/SHE CALLED YOU!!! The reason why I mentioned this is because , if the hiring manager calls you on a Tuesday and asks when can you interview, don't' say Friday of next week. If you say the following week , he/she is going to remove you from his list of potential candidates, because it looks like your not seriously about employment. Now Interview day, you want to have a clear mind when you walk in there. You want to eat, SHOWER!!! let me say that again SHOWER!! most important look presentable. I find it so funny to me when people ask me to dress accordingly for an interview , but my question is "what else would I wear" loll
Guys- If you don't have a suit , GO AND GET ONE NOW!!!! I'm not talking about that brown pin striped church suit. The suit colors to wear to an interview are usually black, gray , or blue. Don't do a collared shirt from phat farm and a tie from your local suit store that just won't work. The object here is for you to stand out and look like you're the right fit. Also if you never where that suit again , you have one ,and it also presents the possibility of management to the employer as well. Because if you notice the top level executives are always in suits every day all the time. So get yourself down to your local suit store and work that out immediately. Make sure too your hair/face/nails are together please, you don't want to be shaking someones hand with dirt under your nails, a bear that isn't shaped up and presentable , or bumps all over your face.
Ladies- (lord touch my spirit) You as well need to either have a business suit , or a very nice dress not showing too much skin(the business suit would be an A+ though). For the hair, what I've seen or heard is if your hair is long a ponytail is preferred or just make sure it looks nice and together. Don't walk up in there with a purple and blue streak going over your eye and your hoop earrings with your name in them. Ladies the best thing for you is to walk up in there like you run the show , there is nothing more attractive than a woman that is about her money and can handle her business.
6. Questions- MAKE A LIST IF YOU HAVE TO !!! This part is pretty much where you show your interest in the company pretty much saying "did you do your homework on us" Of course you want to show them that you did, because that will back up the previous question that they always ask before this one " Why should we hire you". If you don't ask any questions it will seem like you're not interesting or just wasting there time.
7. "Thank you email"- I didn't know how effective this was until I got into my job search situation. This helps ALLOT!!! Because allot of hiring managers don't expect this most of the time. Especially people between the ages of 18-29, if you can respond to your " myspace boo" or your "twitter follower" you can respond back to a hiring manger. In this email you basically want to just thank them for taking the time out to interview you, maybe touch on some key points of the interview, and close by saying that you look forward to your employment with them.
I hope this helps anyone that may have needed just a little push in the right direction.
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