Job Hunting Tips and Tricks

Labor Day is a day set aside to celebrate the achievement the American worker has made toward strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Workforce Solutions celebrates labor day every day by helping you find a job, keep a job, or get a better job! “What’s that you say: FIND a job?”

Job search – what a grueling task! It seems like it is getting harder and harder to find a job, let alone get an interview. Technology has done so much for us and is making many areas of our lives easier, but when it comes to the job hunt it may feel like technology is getting in the way. Below are some tips, and perhaps tricks, that I hope will help you as you prepare to find that next great job.

1. One size does not fit all! Have you looked at your resume lately? Do you send the same resume for every job you apply for? You are way ahead of the job hunt game if you are tailoring your resume to every job posting. Try to mirror the words and phrases found in each job description. You may be the perfect match for a position, and your resume needs to show that.
2. Don’t limit yourself! What I mean by that is, try not to get stuck in just completing online applications and then sit back and wait for a response. Most of the responses we get are computer-generated generic type responses anyway. Get yourself connected with someone in the company you are targeting. That means networking is so vital to your job search. Many local job search networking groups that can help you – get yourself out there in front of people who can help you!
3. Get social! Social media can be used to your benefit and can put you in front of many decision-makers. LinkedIn is probably the most professional social media platform you can use. If you don’t currently have an account, get ready to create one. If you do have a LinkedIn profile, please review it and see what needs to be updated. It could also be beneficial to ask your family, friends and other contacts to review your social media presence and get feedback on how it looks, and then ask your contacts to endorse you. Also, please have a professional photo with your profile.
4. Be yourself! Try to avoid being perfect in an interview and coming across like a robot who has memorized all the answers. Be yourself and engaging as much as possible. Make an impression by being friendly – but not too friendly – and remain relaxed and confident. The first few seconds can make or break your interview, so be sure to have a good handshake, dress for success, look neat and tidy, and have an open body language.
5. Snail mail does work! Take time to write a thank-you note to all the people you interviewed with. Not everyone does this, so this is your opportunity to thank the interviewers for their time and remind them why you would be perfect for the position. A nicely worded thank you note also indicates that you are interested in the job. Remember, just because you interviewed doesn’t necessarily convey that you want the job – so show it with a nicely worded thank you note. It is, of course, okay to send an e-mail thank you if you prefer.

I wish you good luck in your job search and hope these tips and tricks will be helpful. Please also visit our Workforce Solutions website for more job search tips, career exploration, and a calendar of events for job search classes and hiring events. Happy hunting…and Happy Labor Day!

Velta Worley is Supervisor of the Regional Navigator Team specializing in training, educating, and assisting community partners, Workforce Solutions staff, and job seekers throughout the 13 county region with adult education and literacy, and employment for people experiencing homelessness. She has over eight years corporate management experience, and over 10 years with Workforce Solutions as a Facilitator, Technical Assistant, Office Manager, and College Navigator. Ms. Worley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University.