How to Find Job Openings Both Online and Offline

The job search can be time consuming and overwhelming. Job seekers and career changers navigate this difficult process by writing excellent resumes, networking, and more.

Job seekers and career changers often wonder what can be done in order to experience better success in the job market. Throughout history, it has become obvious that the most successful job candidates possess the following qualities:

• Strong qualifications
• A well-written resume
• A broad professional network
• Great interview skills

The road to success when searching for or changing careers starts with self development.

Invest Time & Resources Into Self Development

The career landscape is becoming more and more competitive every day. For best results, career seekers should prepare themselves to compete with others in the job search who may have more experience or training. This can be done in one or more of the following ways:

• Earn a new degree or certification.
• Gain experience through volunteerism or by completing an internship.
• Attend an up-training workshop designed to enhance existing skills.
• Read one or more books to enhance an existing knowledge base.
• Learn a new language using software or audio-visual resources available at the public library.

Perform a Resume Overhaul

Most resumes are reviewed in five minutes or less, by hiring managers who are skimming dozens of other similar documents. While skimming the resumes of prospective employees, most hiring managers are looking for key words that may reveal a desired strength, skill level, or background. That is why career seekers are encouraged to take special care when writing and editing their resumes. The most effective resumes possess the following characteristics:

• Well-organized with logical flow .
• Free of grammatical and typographical errors.
• Accomplishments and duties shown in bulleted lists of easy-to-read text (Accomplishments should be shown at the top of the list; duties should be listed last.)
• Condensed to one page for a standard resume; two pages when including curriculum vitae .
• Arial, Times New Roman, or similar font at the 11 point size or greater

When possible, be sure to use actual dollar figures, percentages, and ratios to express past accomplishments. For instance, the average resume written by a salesperson may state that he or she sold goods in a retail environment and provided customer service. This job seeker could enhance his or her resume by using specifics. Example from ResumeCoupon: "Increased revenues by 60% in one quarter. Consistently finished at 100% or more of my sales goal. Attracted an average of three new clients each month during my employment."

Look for Work in Unlikely Places

A common misstep among job seekers is the tendency to restrict one's resources to newspaper ads and online search tools. Many career opportunities are never publicized. The following are great options for finding work in non-traditional places:

• Attend networking events such as golf outings, luncheons, and conventions.
• Contact past employers to discuss the options they may have available.
• Discuss career aspirations while attending church events.
• Ask friends and family for referrals.

When networking, job seekers should be prepared to deliver a brief oral synopsis of any notable accomplishments, specialties, or applicable training that might leave a favorable impression. One should also be prepared to deliver a copy of his or her resume upon request. This can be done easily by carrying a USB storage device with a current resume on a keychain, or by keeping hard copies of one's resume in a brief case while at networking events.

Brush Up on Interview Skills

Developing and distributing a world-class resume are merely the first steps involved in the career search. The most important element of the job search is the interview. In order to ready oneself for this vitally important portion of the career search, interviewees are encouraged to do the following:

1. Make a list of problematic interview questions that have been difficult to answer in the past.
2. Write out a series of talking points for those questions, and practice answering each question with a friend.
3. Tape record each response given in order to identify moments of uncertainty or unnatural pauses.
4. Answer each question honestly and confidently, being especially careful not to make negative remarks about past employers and former co-workers.
5. Contact hiring managers from previous interviews to request feedback that can be applied to future interviews

It can take time to fully develop the skills and contacts needed to land the perfect job or move up the corporate ladder, but many career seekers have been able to do so with patience and perseverance.