Monday December 29th, 2008
Job Search Tips: The Top Five From 2008

Job Mob recently asked for our best job search tips of 2008. While most of our complaints about job seekers have fallen under the heading of "what not to do" I think we can reverse engineer some tips from the heartbreak.

1. Build your brand, know your message.

2. Know what you want and express it. Remember the guy who offered a $1000 reward to the person who could find him the perfect job? Too bad he didn't mention what he does or what kind of job he was looking for.  

3. Make sure you're actually qualified and communicate your qualifications properly. If you haven't been getting any calls for interviews for jobs you are qualified to do, then you aren't expressing your qualifications clearly enough. The easiest way to do this is ensure that the language used in the job post is used in your cover letter and C/V.

4. Follow the directions. If a web site says that the recruiter only wants to be contacted via their on-line application tool, respect their processes. Don't make a bizarre phone call that will only cause confusion and make you look bad.

5. Don't underestimate the power of excellent social skills. Always searching for new opportunities. Start when you are in school and make as many friends as possible from as broad a spectrum of interests, generations, ethnicities, etc.

If you're older and you've missed out on the social opportunities of school, get involved in your community through volunteering, evening classes or interest-based groups. While you're there, ensure that you're listening skills and manners are in perfect working order. For example, for every five minutes you spend in conversation with someone, you should learn three things about them.

And, this shouldn't have to be said, but try to self-edit inappropriate comments. No one wants to work with ageist, sexist or racist job searchers.

Tags

find   for   how   job   search   searching   seekers   tips   to  

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Comments

Jacob Share from JobMob - December 29th 2008 11:10 AM
 
Thanks for participating in the group writing project, Sarah.

About the Authors

Paul Dodd
Co-founder and President
Head2Head Canada

Paul has one simple goal: To help companies hire great people - and get the most out of every recruiting dollar they spend. That's why he's recognized as one of the best recruitment-industry thinkers in Canada.

Sarah Welstead
Director, User Experience
Head2Head

Passionate about recruitment branding and delivering great candidate experiences, Sarah is a frequent author and media commentator on older workers and generational trends in the talent market.

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