How To Find Your Next Job

Whether intentional or unintentional, you need to go through a process, a process that saves you time and money, a process that gets you where you want to go as soon possible. We are going to show you how to write a
resume, how to market yourself and finally how to do well in the interview. We will give you the tools you will need to build your confidence, and to put yourself out there to every possible source that is hiring.

All The Steps You Will Need To Take

Index

1. Create/Update Your Resume
   • Resume Type
   • Contact Info
   • Professional Skills
   • Work Experience
   • Education
   • Other Experience
   • References
   • Templates

2. Identify Job Listings
   • On Line Employment Sites
   • Networking
   • Work for the Government
   • Referrals
   • Job Fairs
   • Company Websites
   • Cold Calling
   • Head Hunters and Recruiters
   • Temping or Internships

3. Create an Online Profile

4. Talk to your Contacts 

5. Apps and Tools

6. Target your Resume

7. Prepare for the Interview

8. The Interview
   • Review common interview questions. 
   • Make a list of questions that you would like to ask during the interview. 
   • Display confidence during the interview, but let the interviewer start the dialogue.
   • End the interview with a good impression. 
   • Follow Up 

10. Home Based Business

11. Get Out There – Other Ways to Find a Job

Lets look more in-depth into our topics:

1. Your Resume
   When writing the descriptions for the jobs you’ve held, focus on what you accomplished in each position rather than what you did. Listing quantifiable achievements in a numerical manner (increased sales 20%, reduced expenses by 10%, for example) will help your resume stand out.
   
   Be sure to match those accomplishments to the criteria the employer is seeking in the job posting.
   
   There are some things that don’t belong on a resume for a job. What you exclude is just as important as what you include. Ideally, your resume should reflect experience that is relevant to the job you are applying to, and typically no more than ten to fifteen years in the past. Since your resume should, if possible, be no longer than one or two pages, you may need to nix certain items.
   
   For example, if you took a job and only stayed there for a month or so, you wouldn’t want to include that position. If you’ve been out of college for more than five years, it’s generally best to remove any internships you’ve had, assuming you have other professional work experience to fill the gap.
   
   All that being said, here are some Resume Tips:
   
   • Resume Type/Style
     • Chronological – The most common resume type is which you list your work experience in reverse chronological order, from the most to the least recent.
     • Functional – A functional resume focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history.
     • Combination – This type of resume lists your skills and experience before your employment history.
   • Contact Info
     You probably already know that your contact information—which includes your name, address, phone number, and email address—should always appear at the top of your resume, regardless of which resume format you are using.
     
     But did you know that some employers actually use the contact information section to screen undesirable candidates? They may form a negative opinion of you if your contact information is inappropriate in some way. A lot of hiring managers today will even use this information to search for you on popular social networking sites to see what is posted about you. So what should you include to make sure your resume doesn’t get eliminated?
   • Professional Skills
     • Your skills section should be a bullet list of six to eight of your most relevant capabilities. Red the job description to see what the employer needs and match your most relevant skills to the description. Include a mix of “hard” skills (the technical qualifications you have for a job) and “soft skills” (your interpersonal talents, such as customer support).
   • Work Experience
     • This section is particularly important for chronological and combination resume formats, which focus on showing off your extensive work history. Include your job title, name of the company, and your employment dates for each job in reverse-chronological order (you’re most recent job first). 
     • Under each entry, describe your responsibilities and successes. Use industry-specific numbers, such as percentages, sales revenue or website traffic, to add tangible proof to your claims.
     • When writing your resume you might wish to avoid questions about short stay positions, experience from long ago or exactly how long you have been in the workforce. Employers scrutinize a potential employee’s age, experience and the time spent at each former job before calling her in for an interview. Although it is never recommended that employment dates be completely omitted, if you know how to avoid making them a centerpiece of your resume you can place yourself in the best possible light
   • Education
     Your education section usually carries less weight than your skills and work history sections, although it can play an important role if you are a recent graduate or entry-level job applicant lacking work experience. In writing this section, list your most advanced degree first and work backwards.
   • References
     • Furnish references upon request
     • Reach out to past employers, teachers or mentors who can speak to your work ethic and experience, and make sure you have their permission to list them as references.  Keep an active list of your references’ names, phone numbers and email addresses, and the employers where you worked together.
   • Resume Templates
     • https://www.livecareer.com/resume-templates
     • https://resumegenius.com/resume-templates
     • https://resumecompanion.com/resume-templates/
     • https://www.thebalancecareers.com/free-microsoft-resume-templates-for-word-2063143

2. Identify Job Listings
   1. On Line Employment Sites
      Job searching on the internet is both easy and difficult. On the bright side, you can apply to a slew of jobs with a few clicks. But applying exclusively online can lead the modern jobseeker into an abyss. Some Websites to look at are:
      • CareerBuilder – https://www.careerbuilder.com/
      • Dice – https://www.dice.com/
      • Glassdoor – www.glassdoor.com
      • Google for Jobs – careers.google.com/jobs
      • Idealist – www.idealist.org
      • Indeed – www.indeed.com
      • LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com
      • LinkUp – www.linkup.com
      • Upwork – careers.upwork.com/homepage
      • ZipRecruiter – www.ziprecruiter.com/
        
        On Line Employment Websites function in a similar way to the traditional want-ads, however, they have a much quicker turnaround time and allow you to search a much larger number of jobs over a large area. Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and US Jobs are just a few.
        
   2. Networking
      Are you hesitant to network out of fear of being seen as pushy, annoying, or self-serving? Don’t be. Networking isn’t about using other people or aggressively promoting yourself—it’s about building relationships and connecting with others: people you know, people you don’t really know, and new people you’ve never met before. 
      
      Networking means developing a broad list of contacts — people you’ve met through various social and business functions — and using them to your advantage when you look for a job. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network.
      
   3. Work for the Government
      Find a job with the federal government:
      • Federal Government Employment
      • Apprenticeships
      • Federal Job for People with Disabilities
      • Government Internships
      • Security Clearances and Background Checks
      • Civil Service Exam referrals
        
   4. Referrals
      Referrals can come from individuals you know and this may get you an invitation to apply for a position without you actually searching for a new job. Additionally, some employers offer incentives to their employees for referring a successful candidate to their company – a win-win situation for everyone. You get a new job, and your contact gets a finder’s fee for attracting a top-notch employee.
      
   5. Job Fair 
      Job fairs are typically targeted toward specific industries, though some job or recruitment fairs are more generalized. These ads will usually come with a list of the organizations that will be present.
      
   6. Company Websites
      Create a list of employers that you’d like to work for and visit their websites often. 
      
   7. Cold Calling 
      If you don’t see any job listings posted for a company you’re particularly interested in, you might consider making a cold call. You can use the telephone or email to contact individuals within an organization by finding their contact details on the company website or by inquiring with a receptionist. 
      
   8. Head Hunters/Recruiters
      If you’re looking for some professional help in your job search, head hunters and recruitment agencies can definitely lend a hand (though in some cases it may come at a price). 
      
   9. Temping Internships
      Sometimes temporary employment can lead to permanent positions. If you’re without work, finding a temporary position with a great company is a great way to get a foot in the door, or provide you with useful business contacts to call upon in the future.

3. Create an Online Profile
   When you’re looking for a new job or positioning yourself for career growth, it’s important to have an online presence where you can showcase your skills and experience. Your online professional profiles will also help you connect with contacts who can expedite your job search and assist you with moving up the career ladder.
   
   Be sure to actively manage your profiles so they are up-to-date. Employers and contacts want to see current information. Also, be sure to keep your professional life separate from your personal one. When you have multiple accounts it can be easy to mix them up. Think twice before you post to be sure everything is being posted to the right place.
   
   Create profiles on LinkedIn and other networking sites. A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive impression of you as a candidate they should be interested in.

4. Talk to your Contacts 
   Mark industry events on your calendar that you can attend, where you can meet recruiters or industry insiders who can give you the scoop on open positions.

5. Apps and Tools
   There are a variety of apps, widgets, gadgets, and tools that will help you to expedite your job search and manage your career. Use them to organize your job search and save valuable job searching time. You’ll be able to do many of your job search activities from your smartphone or tablet. 
   
   Your phone could be your new best job-search friend: with apps, you can ramp-up your job search, get prepared for an interview, and get reminders for follow-ups and so much more.

6. Target your Resume
   How do employers know that you’ve got the skills they are looking for? You’ll need to show them. It’s important to take the time to write targeted resumes and cover letters that specifically link your qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for.

7. Prepare for the Interview
   Taking the time, in advance, to prepare for an interview will help you succeed. The more prepared you are, the less stressful it will be. Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise. 

8. The Interview
   The job interview is your best chance to make a strong impression on a potential employer. And, without a doubt, it’s the most stressful step in your search for a new job. Learning about a prospective employer can give you an edge over the competition. Prepare to go into any interview with three to five selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. 
   
   1. Review common interview questions. Practice answering them with someone else or in front of a mirror. Come prepared with stories that relate to the skills that the employer wants.
      • Strength
      • Willingness to work and flexibility
      • Leadership skills
      • Ability and willingness to learn new things
      • Contributions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered
      • Creativity in solving problems and working with people 
        
   2. Pick questions that will demonstrate your interest in the job and the company. 
      • What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
      • How will my responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom?
      • Could you explain your organizational structure?
      • What computer equipment and software do you use?
      • What is the organization’s plan for the next five years?
        
   3. Display confidence during the interview, but let the interviewer start the dialogue.
      Send a positive message with your body language.
      • Shake hands firmly, but only if a hand is offered to you first.
      • Maintain eye contact.
      • Listen carefully. Welcome all questions, even the difficult ones, with a smile.
      • Give honest, direct answers.
      • Develop answers in your head before you respond. If you don’t understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or clarified. You don’t have to rush, but you don’t want to appear indecisive.
        
   4. End the interview with a good impression. A positive end to the interview is another way to ensure your success.
      • Be courteous and allow the interview to end on time.
      • Restate any strengths and experiences that you might not have emphasized earlier.
      • Mention a particular accomplishment or activity that fits the job.
      • If you want the job, say so!
      • Find out if there will be additional interviews.
      • Ask when the employer plans to make a decision.
      • Indicate a time when you may contact the employer to learn of the decision.
      • Don’t forget to send a “hand written” (not an email) thank-you note or letter after the interview.

9. Follow Up 
   It’s important to follow up after an interview by thanking everyone you met with. Also, reiterate your interest in the position and remind the hiring manager why you’re an excellent candidate for the job. Everyone likes to be appreciated, and a quick email or note thanking the interviewer for his or her time will give you another opportunity to make a good impression. 

10. Home Based Business
    There are now more options than ever when it comes to home-based businesses. The best home-based business is the one you start because you are passionate about the work and interested in the process involved—not the one in the work-at-home ad that might be a scam or the one a friend is recruiting for on social media.

Starting a home-based business can create flexibility in how you spend your time and make your money. But it isn’t a quick process or a guarantee of financial success. It requires a long-term commitment and a clear understanding of the work involved.

To create a home-based business with a solid foundation and earning potential, you’ll need to invest time and resources into identifying the right business for you.

If you’re looking for a flexible work schedule—or even the chance to work from the comfort of your couch five days a week—consider signing up on FlexJobs

Home Based Business ideas/sites
Small Biz Trends
Pro Money Savings

11. Get Out There – Other Ways to Find a Job
    While it’s tempting to stay home and surf the internet for job listings, you know that’s not where most jobs are. The hardest part of any event is getting there and walking in the door. Truly, it gets easier every time! Be creative with the different events you attend or groups you join. Here are some ideas:
    • Job hunting groups: While these are helpful for support, they might not be the best source of job leads, though you never know if someone has a lead in an industry where they don’t work – but you do!
    • Local industry trade groups: This is a perfect place to make important connections or reconnect with people you already know. Find out what trade groups are local and attend those meetings.
    • Chamber of commerce meetings: Sure, you might not want to work right in your own backyard, or you might feel that there are no perfect target companies there, but these are still valuable gatherings of professionals, all in one place, and all looking to network. Every time you meet someone new, you are exposed to their circle of potential contacts which can open doors that you might never have considered.
    • Alumni groups: Your college career center is another great place to mine for appropriate contacts. If you don’t still live in the same city where you went to school, find out if they have local alumni events, which again, widens your circle of potential professional contacts.
    • Toastmaster groups: Brushing up on your speaking skills is always a terrific idea and many Toastmaster groups feature a camaraderie that can be hard to replicate. And, did we mention, they are full of professionals.
    • Volunteer activities: Volunteering can be a super way to expand your network while doing something that keeps you active and involved. Find a group that aligns with your personal interests, and make sure you are doing a function that will help build your skills set, resume or connections. Walking dogs at the Humane Society might help you feel valued and purposeful, but even better would be to help with their donor outreach, if you’re looking for a job in communications, or update their purchasing guidelines if you are a procurement specialist.
    • Online groups: Today’s wired world means you can network literally anywhere. Even if you don’t work remotely, everyone knows someone. Being active in groups related to your profession will expose you to a huge network of professionals you wouldn’t otherwise know. As you become more active, you can see who the “helpers” and “thought leaders” are in the group. Connect with them and check into their connections to see if there’s an introduction they can make for you. They’re not liable to introduce someone they don’t know, so be sure it’s someone with whom you have interacted so the request doesn’t seem random.

Undoubtedly, looking for a job ain’t easy! Don’t give up and do follow through. Follow these steps and eventually you’ll be back to work.

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