7.7 million Americans were unemployed at the end of 2007, according to
the Department of Labor. Out of these 7.7 million people, and with a questionable
economic forecast, how are you going to make yourself stand out and get the job? With a
few tips, you may find yourself with more options that you think.
In a challenging economic environment, the most important tip for job
seekers is to use your network. With less jobs and more competition, any edge
up is going to be useful. When you invest time in relationships with colleagues
through professional associations, alumni groups, friends, family or church groups, you may
find out about an opening before the general public.
Another tip for job seekers that is under-utilized is making phone
calls to companies. If you know there is an opening or think they are going to hiring soon,
do what you can to get on the phone with the hiring manager, or that person's
supervisor. This may take a little digging to find out who the right person is to
contact, but your initiative could be rewarded with an interview. For example,
if someone in your alumni club mentions to you that XYZ, Co. just got a new
contract and will need to add staff. Call the new project lead and ask for an
interview.
When you are actively job seeking, staying organized can be the most
important advice. Keep track of your prospects. You will want to have the job
announcement, your cover letter, along with notes about the position and company, the
names of the interviewers, the status of the interview, and any tasks for
follow-up, including a thank you card. Keeping track of this information will help
you if you get called back and for networking possibilities. It is important
to follow-up with all interviews. While you may have dropped out of the running for
the original position, by following up and reminding them of your skills and
availability, you may considered for the next position they have available, or agree
to pass your name on to others in the company or industry.
Research and preparation can never be minimized when job seeking, but
when times are tight, this can help you stand out. Don't go into an interview
without a good understanding of the company. Research the services or products
and come up with one or two clarifying questions about the company. This will
show the interviewer that you are interested in the work they do and are already
thinking about how you could contribute. Many companies have web sites that can
give you this information quite easily. If you can get a sense for the corporate
philosophy, be sure to incorporate this into your answers in the interview. The
more you know about the company, the more you can apply your skills directly to
the work they do.
Depending on what career section you are looking at, your prospects may
not be so bad. Service sector jobs are actually on the increase, to include
technical and professional services, food service and health care. Regardless of
your field, going forward with these tips and a positive attitude will make a
difference to prospective employers.
