Three Fundamental Career Search Tips

Posted on Sep 21st 2009, 01:31 am, under Career Advice

Looking for the right job is never easy. It’s a matter of skill, persistence, and luck. To help you out, our blog archive has several articles with important advice on what you shouldn’t do when you’re out job-hunting. And now, we’ve got three essential tips for improving your chances of success in today’s highly competitive job market:

Tip 1: Get a tag team partner.

No, we’re not talking about pro wrestling. If you've tried looking for employment for any length of time, you know that it can often be tiring, frustrating, and lonely. The solution? Team up with someone else who's also looking for work. 

It could be your friend, classmate, anyone you can get along with. Pool your resources, contacts, and employment leads. Having a job search buddy to help you through the tough times is much easier than going it alone. With a partner, you’ll have the double the research capability, double the network size, and two pairs of eyes and ears to keep watch for opportunities. If you work together, you’ll both have a much better shot at landing the jobs you want.

Tip 2: Courtesy counts.

Sometimes it's good to show employers that you're aggressive about getting a good career. It shows that you're hungry, eager, and willing to take risks. However, it would be even better if you could show your passion while still remaining diplomatic and genial. This is an essential trait that’s too easily overlooked nowadays. But that could work to your advantage. 

If you make it a point to be courteous, you’ll stand out from others who don’t and make a better impression on potential employers. Stay humble about your achievements during appropriate times.  Show that you’re grateful for opportunities. Above all, remain courteous both in meetings and correspondence. Send thank-you notes to interviewers and those who’ve assisted you. Trust us, people will remember you more if you do so. 

Tip 3: Networking is critical.

In this digital age when everybody has a computer and Internet connection, creating a business and career network for yourself has never been easier. You probably already have personal profiles at the usual social networking sites (Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), but don’t stop there. You can’t expect the best jobs to come to you. You have to go out and get them yourself, and there’s no better way to do this than through networking.

Get involved in forums and online boards that cater to your career interests. Engage in some real world, face-to-face interaction at industry events, associations, and volunteer programs. Instead of going through the conventional application process, improve your chances of getting a job by making contact with people who can vouch for you from personal knowledge. If you keep at it, work hard, and do your research, something will definitely come your way.