Ten Steps to Find a New Job
How to Get a Job
By Alison Doyle , About.com Guide
Ten steps you can take to find a new job,
including where to look for jobs, the top
job sites, how to use your connections,
how to ace the interview, how to follow
up, and more advice on how to get a job.
Focus Your Job Search
Use the job search engines to find jobs by
using keywords that match your interests
and the location where you want to work.
Narrowing your search criteria will help
you focus your job search and will give
you more relevant job listings to review
and less non-relevant job listings to weed
through.
Build Your Brand
Create profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook,
and VisualCV. 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.
Connect With Your Contacts
Now that you've created profiles on
networking sites, use them. Connect with
everyone you know, because you never
know which contact may be able to help
you with your job search or put you in
touch with someone who can.
Use Job Search Tools
There are a variety of widgets, gadgets,
and tools that will help expedite your job
search and manage your career. Use
them to organize your job search and save
valuable job searching time.
Create a List of Companies
Do you have a list of companies you
would like to work for? It's a good idea to
research company information and create
a list of companies to target in your job
search. All the information you need is
available on the web, and it's easy to find
detailed information about potential
employers online.
Find Job Listings
Check job search engine sites, job banks,
company web sites, networking sites,
niche job sites, and sites listed by type of
job. Consider working with a recruiter to
maximize your opportunities.
Target Your Resume and Cover
Letter
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. The hiring manager will be
able to see, at a glance, why, and how,
you are qualified for the job. You'll have a
much better chance of getting an
interview than if you send a generic letter
and resume.
Ace the Interview
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.
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.
Accept (or Decline) a Job Offer
When you receive a job offer , it's
important to take the time to carefully
evaluate the offer so you are making an
educated decision to accept, or to reject,
the offer. You don't have to accept a job
just because it was offered to you, but do
carefully evalute it and if you decline, do
so politely.