We are back with the second part of our series on dos and dont’s for the job seeker. Go back and check out part 1 in case you missed it.
Do:
- Cast a Wide Net – If you are only looking at traditional job boards, you are missing out on a lot of exciting opportunities. Look deeper for jobs by checking out the social media profiles of companies that interest you, browsing professional society websites, and reaching out to people in your network. There is no reason to dismiss any possible source.
- Get an Objective Opinion – Before submitting a resume, cover letter, or any other application documents, have someone objective read them over for you. If possible, have it be someone who works in your field. At the very least, they can help you spot typos and awkward phrasing. They may also be able to help you enhance your formatting/wording to make a bigger impact.
- Write an Elevator Speech – You never know when a job opportunity will appear. When you surprisingly find yourself face to face with a decision maker, you want to be able to summarize your credentials and state your value as quickly and convincingly as possible. Take some time to draft these remarks before you’re actually put on the spot.
- Send Thank-You Letters – It’s entirely appropriate to send a prospective employer a thank-you note following an interview. Use the opportunity to show your gratitude, confirm your interest in the position, and clarify or reinforce topics from your interview.
- Highlight Soft Skills – Fit for a position is a combination of hard and soft skills. It’s likely that you share core credentials with lots of other candidates, so if you can show that your personality, character, and values are exemplary, you will immediately set yourself apart from the pack.
Don’t:
- Be Unrealistic – Job hunting takes time and effort. If you expect to get a job in a day, week, month, or even six months, you will only be more disappointed when it takes longer. Understand that this could be a drawn-out process and plan accordingly.
- Quit Prematurely – If you have a job but want to move on, don’t quit until you have another opportunity lined up. It’s a lot easier to look for a job when you have a job. It could even prove to be an asset. Just be sure to keep your search discreet to avoid complicating things with your current employer.
- Look Unprofessional – Any prospective employer is going to take a look at all your social media profiles and any other online presence you may have. If there is anything embarrassing or unprofessional out there, be sure to take it down immediately.
- Act Cocky – When you’re called in for an interview, you want to act confident, but never cocky. It’s not a foregone conclusion that you will be offered a job, and hiring managers will be turned off if you act like you’re owed a position.
- Badmouth Employers – It can be easy, even tempting, to speak negatively about your past employers, especially if you have been let go. But this approach is always a mistake. It makes you look bitter and unprofessional and does nothing to establish you as a solid candidate.
Take these dos and don’ts seriously and you are well on your way to finding a new job. Get there faster by partnering with the recruitment experts at The Squires Group.
