Tip Tuesday

101 Job Tips To Land Your Dream Job (Part 2 of 5)

Are you looking for a better job? A better Career? Recently laid off? No matter what the reason for your job search there are plenty of traditional—and not so traditional ways to find a new job. Here is part two (five part series) of 101 of the hottest job tips in town. There will be 20 new tips released every Tuesday for the next couple of weeks. Take time each Tuesday and read the twenty tips given. No matter how common they sound, a little tweaking always goes a long way.

21. Behave yourself online: If you have a profile on a social site like Facebook or Myspace, make sure that you are presenting yourself in the best light possible. An employer may not be able to see your full posts…but they can see your profile picture and other personal tidbits, so make sure nothing you post will hurt your chances.

22. Use your blog or site as a platform: If you blog about something related to your work, make sure you include your blog on your application, if it establishes you as an expert in your field.

23. Create an online portfolio: Writers, artists and other creative types can create an online portfolio or gallery of sorts to showcase their best work. Using an online portfolio allows prospective employers to see a variety of your samples and get a real idea of the type of work you are capable of.

24. Put your friends and family to work: Let your friends and family know you are looking for a job—they might have a friend, in–law, or business associate that is hiring. A personal recommendation gives you an edge over any other applicants.

25. Know someone who is planning on leaving a great job? Get a jump on the competition by asking for a referral. If you know someone who is leaving a job due to relocation, the birth of a new baby, or any other reason, ask for a referral. You may be able to apply for their position before the company has time to post the job opening!

26. Have a job already. It is easier to find a new job when you still have a job—even if it is a job you don’t like. Actually receiving a paycheck takes some of the pressure off of you. When you are not worried about your bills, you can take the time to concentrate on finding the right job for you.

27. Use any resources your former employer offers: Your employer may offer some resources for your use, like resume help, retraining, interviewing, or career counseling. Make sure you take advantage of any services they offer, as you may have to pay for these things on your own otherwise.

28. Apply for unemployment: If you are eligible to do so, apply for unemployment benefits right away. Even if you think you will land a new job immediately, you should apply, just in case. Most unemployment offices offer job placement and training help to job seekers in addition to the monetary benefits.

29. Treat your job search like a full time job: Out of work? If you are, you have plenty of time on your hands. Make finding the right job at the right salary your new full-time hobby—and spend your time perfecting your resume, finding new places to submit applications and researching potential employers.

30. Get out of bed and off the couch: It sounds crazy, but getting up each morning like you are going to work will help keep you productive—and help keep your job search on track. Vegging out in front of the television or bringing on donuts at 11am is not going to land you the job you want!

31. Make a “to–do” list for each day: Writing down a firm plan for the day will help you be productive and get things done. Decide on a target goal for each day and cross each item off your list as you complete it. Having goals will keep you from wandering aimlessly and keep your job hunt on track.

32. Make sure you are easy to contact: Make sure the phone number you put on your resume is one that you can either answer immediately, or one that has voice-mail.

33. Create a professional sounding email address for your job search: Yourname@gmail.com is much better than a handle like “hotchick” or “beerdude” if an employer is trying to reach you via email.

34. Look online for great resume samples: Need resume help? Search online for some free resources and you will find everything from templates to sample resumes you can use as a great starting point for your resume.

35. Hire a pro: If you are just totally stuck and unable to produce a great resume, consider hiring a professional to do it for you.

36. Create a DIY marketing package: When a company rolls out a new product, they make sure everything associated with it sends a strong message. Review your resume, cover letter—and even your envelopes and stamps to be sure they are sending the message you want.

37. Include a cover letter with every resume you send out: You can make a simple template letter and modify it to suit your needs. Including a cover letter allows a little more of your personality to shine through and gives you additional opportunities to sell yourself as the ideal person for the job in question.

38. Search online for opportunities: Make sure you search by both area and job title, and repeat your search every day—doing so ensures you will be one of the first applicants when a new job appears. You can find over 100,000 open jobs at http://www.findajobalready.com/jobs/browse.

39. Consider working at home: Some employers allow you to work from your own home in a variety of capacities. A work at home job can be a great opportunity, but be very careful, there are a lot of scams out there you will need to avoid. True work at home jobs do exist, but you will need to seek them out…the “jobs” that show up in your inbox unsolicited are not the ones for you.

40. Make sure your home phone and cell phone have voicemail: And make sure your outgoing message is professional and to the point.

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