Get Hired for a Job, Don't Just Look For One
Resume Writing, Cold-Calling, Interview Skills and Presentation
Aug 30, 2009
It's easy to get discouraged when looking for a job in an economy that pits several candidates against each other for the same position. Sending out resumes just isn't enough anymore. To get the job, applicants need to go a step or two further because if they don't someone else will.
Writing a Successful Resume to Get the Job Interview
Employers will see hundreds of resumes when looking for a new employee. The key to being successful at this stage is to have a resume that really stands out, but is professional and appropriate for the position being applied for. If a job seeker is in a creative field, his resume should show his creativity while still stressing his skills and technical knowledge.
If the job seeker is in a more stoic career where creativity isn't necessarily rewarded, such as accounting, he needs to find other ways to make his resume stand out. How he words his resume can help to do this. He must be concise in his writing, stating his most marketable skills in the beginning of his paragraphs or in easy to read bullet points. Remember, the employer will be reviewing hundreds of resumes and will not want to read through several pages of any material, no matter how perfectly applicable the candidate's career has been.
Calling Employers to Get the Job Interview
Calling employers who are in the newspaper or online career sites is always a good way to find potential employers, but sometimes finding a job requires more than that. Job candidates should call companies in their area that aren't advertising. Many times a call has been made to potential employers who state that they are considering firing someone, but they haven't done it yet. If a new candidate can get his information to the employer before an ad has been placed, very often the employer may hire that person instead of spending the money on an ad. This kind of cold calling can be discouraging if the candidate is turned down over and over again, but it can also be very rewarding if he catches that one person at the right time.
When a job seeker calls an advertised number, she must be ready to talk about her skills during this call. Sometimes the call will be simply to schedule a time, but other times the call is really a pre-screening for the interview and how well a candidate does on the phone will determine whether she will get an interview. The caller should have her resume in front of her and perhaps even a list of skills that make her right for the advertised job. She should always be prepared to interview.
The Attitude That Will Get the Job at the Interview
When interviewing for a position, the most important thing a candidate can bring is a confident, friendly attitude. Employers want to know that a job seeker is capable of doing the job and that he will get along with everyone else in the department. It is essential for an interviewee to show optimism, confidence, and a willingness to work as a team. He should be sure to highlight his technical skills and knowledge of the industry, but he should also be sure to highlight his ability to adapt to changing circumstances, his desire to get along and his conflict resolution skills.
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