Jobs And The Hidden Job Market
by: Jay Bauder
Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You pour a cup of coffee and open the paper to the employment section. With a mixture of anticipation and desperation you pick up a stub of pencil and prepare to target and identify some possible job opportunities.
There are less ads to circle this morning and despite the promising words and vague descriptions you have begun to believe that none of these potential employers will seriously consider you. Perhaps they have family or friends or maybe you'll hear once again "I'm afraid you're overqualified for this position".
After making a few phone calls you try to get into a positive frame of mind. You head out the door, a folder of resumes in one hand and a list of addresses at the next. You will drop off a few resumes and have plans for an interview this afternoon.
Maybe today will be different...
Are you or a friend looking for work? Have you heard of acquaintances laid off from long-term employment only to find four or five months later that they are still unable to find a job?
If you think the only way to find a job is to have connections, you may be partly right. With such a demand for employment many jobs never make it to the paper. How can you compete?
NETWORKING
"Leave no stone unturned". Tell friends, family and acquaintances of your job search. These people can give you an 'IN' to their businesses when positions come available.
They may also hear of someone who is hiring and keep you updated on opportunities you may not otherwise have heard about. Their personal referral can also make an impression on the employer in your behalf.
NON-POSTED JOBS
You don't have to wait for a job to be listed in the paper, or even posted on the company board, to apply for work at a company.
Go through the phone book and make a list of companies you'd like to work for. Call and ask if there are any positions available. Ask for the name of the human resources manager or the individual in charge of hiring for the area you are applying to.
Send a resume and direct it to the person in charge of hiring. Write a cover letter that expresses your interest in the company and why you'd like to work for them. Follow up several days later and ask for the individual. Tell them you're checking to see that they received your resume and ask if there are any positions that may become available.
If they are not hiring suggest you'll check back at another time. Often positions are made available unexpectedly and by keeping in contact (without pestering) you may be the first person that comes to mind.
This is not a secret. If you're not taking advantage, someone else will. You can't afford to miss out on making yourself known to employers BEFORE the job posting is made public.
Accessing this hidden job market may open up opportunities you never thought possible. By staying one step ahead of other job searchers you can be sure that your new job is just around the corner!
About The Author
Jay Bauder is the web owner of http://www.jobs-in.com Jobs | Job Search Resources, a website that provides information and resources on searching for jobs nationwide. You can visit his website at: Job Search.
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10 Steps to Writing an Effective Thank You Letter
10 Steps to Writing an Effective Thank You Letter
by: Robert Moment
The interview was fantastic; you know that you impressed with your perfect answers and excellent resume. You also know that, from this point on, you just have to sit back and wait for the telephone to ring with your future employer on the line, begging you to come to work. You know this, right? Very wrong. No matter how wonderful the interview or great the resume, you can never be sure that you will get the job of your dreams?-anything can happen. However, one way to help shift the odds in your favor is to write a Thank You Letter. This courtesy is often ignored by job candidates; so, if you take time, future employers are likely to take notice. An effective Thank You Letter can push you closer toward your career goal. The Thank You Letter should always sell your skills and how they will help your future employer.
To write the proper Thank You Letter, follow these...
10 Steps to Writing an Effective Thank You Letter
Sample resume > 10 Steps to Writing an Effective Thank You Letter
Four Common Sense Tips for the Telephone Interview
Four Common Sense Tips for the Telephone Interview
by: Heather Eagar
Here?s a phone interview tip worth considering:
smile.
A smile is a magic thing, and in addition to being seen in person it can be felt from a distance.
When doing a phone interview, don?t think that because the person on the other end of the phone can?t see you that smiling and other positive body gestures are not important.
The best interview tip that anyone was ever given was to smile and make positive gestures.
In fact, many people talk with their hands.
If you do, consider a telephone head set to free your hands up.
Another tip that will be worth its weight in gold is to have a good quality telephone.
It may seem silly to even mention it, but the better quality phone you use, the better your voice will sound.
Years ago everyone rented his or her telephones from the local utility phone company.
...
Sample resume > Four Common Sense Tips for the Telephone Interview
Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me
Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me
by: Robert Moment
A resume is your life condensed to a few pages and highlighted with your qualities and experiences. Potential employers learn about you through the words you chose and the examples you give. If you are not careful with these words and examples, however, you may just give the wrong impression.
An effective resume is essential in the business world. Without one, you will not succeed. Employers are looking for people with talent, people who can get the job done, and you may very well be that person. But, without a proper resume, you will never get the chance to prove it. You have to give employers a polished and professional resume, one that emphasizes all of your best qualities. To help you accomplish this, we have provided several tips that can guarantee you the best resume possible. No matter what your situation, these tips will help you make a powerful impression.
1. Apply...
Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me
Sample resume > Resume Writing: 7 Strategies that Say Hire Me
Speak With Your References Before Beginning A Job Search
Speak With Your References Before Beginning A Job Search
by: Scott Brown
History has taught us that people are as changeable as the wind. I am sure that we have all had an experience where a friend or acquaintance said one thing and then changed it to something else a day later. This is human nature and nobody can control the changes except the person making the change.
With that being said, let?s consider your job references. When you decide to look for a new job, it?s a good idea to touch base with your references.
Stage your tasks
Looking for a new job and verifying that your references are still on your side can be a staged process. You can begin your job search and post your resume before contacting your references but don?t wait too long.
Step One ? get noticed
A good first step in your job search is to get your resume posted on all the job sites.? Generating leads is an important part of the process, regardless...
Speak With Your References Before Beginning A Job Search
Sample resume > Speak With Your References Before Beginning A Job Search
How to Conduct a Job Search
How to Conduct a Job Search
by: Jeremy LaDart
Conducting a job search is a daunting task, even for seasoned professionals. There are many pieces to the puzzle, and each piece plays its own important role in the process. Knowing the pieces of the process is a crucial element for your success.
While there is no such thing as doing too much, there is a basic guide to follow. It consists of five painless steps that will outline your work ahead. Together, they form the foundation of a job hunt that will yield exceptional results.
1. Put together a great resume.
Before your job search ever begins, you need a resume. The resume is the first contact you will have with a prospective employer. It is an extension of your life and a summary of your accomplishments. It is how a manager will pick you out of hundreds?possibly thousands of applicants. It can mean the difference between exciting job interviews and a phone that never rings, between...
How to Conduct a Job Search
Sample resume > How to Conduct a Job Search