Advice on looking for jobs

[jillybean720]

Follow up on submitted resumes - give the hiring company a call a couple days after you submitted to see if they can offer you any info on status. When you get a rejection, follow up to see if you can get some constructive criticism on your resume (or interview, if you make it that far). Try to find out how you got screened out. A lot of times, they can't (or won't) really tell you anything, but sometimes, this can offer some great tips or could even show the potential employer that you really care.

Get out and talk to people. Go to networking events in your field. Possibly join relevant associations if they have a local chapter. There's a reason for the saying, "It's not what you know, but who you know." I'm likely going to be changing jobs soon somewhat unexpectedly simply because someone I've previously worked with wants me to come work with them again.

Temping is definitely a good option. Also, work with recruiting/placement companies and be sure your resume is in their databases. I currently work for a company that happens to be a subsidiary of a large staffing firm, and I've gotten called by that parent company more than once for new opportunities (only to explain to them that they shouldn't be trying to recruit from their own internal resources!).

And, yes, LinkedIn. That's how I got my last job offer. You can't just put your info on LinkedIn and sit back - make sure it's updated, make sure it's written well, and then join groups relevant to your field, and PARTICIPATE. Join in the discussions, ask questions, connect with others, etc. Look at other people's profiles to see how you might improve your own.

Make sure your resume is PERFECT. I can't tell you how many resumes I've easily weeded out when reviewing candidates simply because they have typos, misspellings, obvious grammar errors, horrible formatting, etc. And try to include a cover letter whenever you can, even if it's not required. Really take the time to write a good cover letter and make sure it's not the same as everyone else's, nor the same one you send out for EVERY application; tailor it for each position you apply for. I have had multiple compliments on my cover letter and even once had a recruiter who admitted he basically called me BECAUSE of the cover letter as opposed to the resume, it was THAT good. I got that job.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by jillybean720

Make sure your resume is PERFECT. I can't tell you how many resumes I've easily weeded out when reviewing candidates simply because they have typos, misspellings, obvious grammar errors, horrible formatting, etc. And try to include a cover letter whenever you can, even if it's not required. Really take the time to write a good cover letter and make sure it's not the same as everyone else's, nor the same one you send out for EVERY application; tailor it for each position you apply for. I have had multiple compliments on my cover letter and even once had a recruiter who admitted he basically called me BECAUSE of the cover letter as opposed to the resume, it was THAT good. I got that job.

I cannot agree more!! So many people have resume mistakes. Also a cover letter is a letter explaining how you will fit perfectly with this specific job. It is not a form letter. It needs to be personal and specific.

[vitaminkitten]

I actually wanted to third the cover letter idea. It was how I got hired for a previous job as well (I had originally applied for a different position within the agency, and they called me for an interview for an even better position because my cover letter showed my skills would be better suited to it, and because I communicated so well in my cover letter (the job required very good communication skills)).