Thursday, February 7, 2008

Four Steps to Get Good Jobs

Set Goals- If you have lost a good job or have been unemployed for some time, it is easy to become downhearted. “When I first lost my job, I was optimistic about finding another one,” a Secretary in Mumbai. “But as the months dragged on and I was unable to find work, I became depressed.
Here, first and foremost each day must start with your getting dressed for work.” Why? “Being dressed properly will give you added confidence even when talking on the telephone.”Yes, you must make it your job to find a job, no matter how long it takes. Aditi, mentioned earlier, adopted this businesslike approach.
She says: “I obtained the addresses and phone numbers of prospective employers from the employment office. I responded to newspaper ads. I studied the phone book and made lists of companies that might have jobs that were not yet advertised, and then I contacted them. I also compiled a resume and sent it to these companies.” After such systematic searching, Aditi found a suitable job.

Find the Hidden Jobs - The fisherman with the largest net is the one most likely to catch fish. So knowing how to increase the size of your “net” will improve your chances of landing a job.
If you are looking for work only by responding to newspaper or Internet advertisements, the majority of available jobs may be slipping past your net. A good number of jobs are never advertised.
How can you gain access to this hidden job market?In addition to responding to advertisements, like Aditi you must set aside time each week to call on businesses that you think may have jobs you can do. Do not wait for them to advertise positions.
If a manager says that he has no work, ask him if he knows where else you might look and specifically to whom you should speak. If he offers a suggestion, make an appointment with that company, stating the name of the person who referred you.Tony, mentioned in the preceding article, found a job this way.
“I took the initiative to contact companies even though they were not advertising,” he explains. “One company said that there were no vacancies at present but that I should try again in three months. I did, and I obtained a job.” You can also ask your friends, family, and other associates to help you access the hidden job market.
This is how Joseph, a Accounts officer in Banglore, found a job. He says: “When the company I worked for went out of business, I let friends and family know that I was looking for work. One day a friend of mine overheard a conversation while in line at a supermarket.
One woman was asking another if she knew of anyone looking for work. My friend interrupted and told the woman about me. An appointment was arranged, and I got the job.”

Impressive Resume- For those applying for executive positions, compiling and distributing a professional résumé is a must. But no matter what job you seek, a well-prepared résumé can be a great asset.
“A résumé tells potential employers not only who you are but also what you have accomplished and why they need you,” says Nidhi, an employment consultant in New Delhi.
How do you compile a résumé? Provide your full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. State your objective. List the education you have received, highlighting any training and skills that relate to the job you are seeking.
Provide details of previous work experience. Include not only what you did but also examples of the goals you reached and the benefits you brought to your previous employers. Also highlight aspects of your previous employment that qualify you for the job you are currently seeking.
Include personal information that describes your qualities, interests, and hobbies. Because companies’ needs differ, you may have to adjust your résumé for each application.Should you produce a résumé if you are applying for your first job? Yes! There may be many things you have done that qualify as work experience.
For example, do you have hobbies, such as woodworking or perhaps fixing up old cars? These can be listed. Have you engaged in any volunteer work?
List the type of volunteer work you have done and the goals you have achieved.When you cannot obtain an interview with a prospective employer, leave a small card—preferably four inches by six inches [10 cm by 15 cm]—containing your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, as well as a brief summary of your skills and accomplishments.
On the back of the card, if appropriate, you could even put a photo of yourself or of you with your family. Distribute this card to all those who might help you find work, asking them to hand it to anyone they know who is offering the type of work you are seeking.
When a potential employer sees this card, he may grant you an interview—perhaps leading to a job! Preparing a résumé will help you feel more in control as you search for work. Nidhi, mentioned earlier, says: “Writing a résumé helps you organize your thoughts and goals. It also builds your confidence by helping you prepare for potential questions you may be asked during a job interview.”

Prepare Well for Your Interviews - What is involved in preparing for an interview? You may want to research the company you hope to work for. The more you know about the company, the better the impression you will make during the interview.
Your research will also help you determine whether the company really has the kind of work you want or is one you want to work for.Next, think about what you will wear to the interview. If the job you seek involves manual labor, wear appropriate neat, clean clothing.
Neat dress and grooming tell the prospective employer that you take pride in yourself and are thus more likely to take pride in your work. If you are hoping to work in an office, choose modest clothing that is considered suitable business attire where you live.
Nidhi says: “Choose your clothes long before you are due to attend your interview so that you don’t feel rushed and unnecessarily increase your levels of stress prior to the interview.”Nidhi also recommends arriving for your interview about 15 minutes early. Of course, arriving too early is not wise. But arriving late could be disastrous.
Experts say that the first three seconds of your interview are crucial. During that brief time, the interviewer makes assessments about your appearance and your bearing that deeply influence his or her opinion of you. If you are late, you will make an overwhelmingly negative impression. Remember, there are no second chances to rectify first impressions.Remember, too, that the interviewer is not your enemy.
After all, he likely had to apply for his job, so he knows how you feel. In fact, he may be nervous, since he may have received little or no training on how to conduct an interview. In addition, if the interviewer is the employer, he may have much to lose if he chooses the wrong person for the job.
To start off well, smile and give the interviewer a firm handshake if that is the customary greeting. During the interview, concentrate on what the employer needs from you and what you have to offer.
Regarding things to avoid Nidhi says: “Don’t fidget or slouch—good posture conveys confidence. Don’t be too informal or overly talkative. Also, avoid being negative about your former employers and workmates—if you are negative about them, the interviewer will likely feel you will be negative about this job too.”
Regarding things to do and say during the interview, experts recommend the following: Maintain eye contact with the interviewer, use natural gestures when you speak, and articulate clearly.
Be concise and honest when answering questions, and ask relevant questions about the company and the prospective job. At the end of the interview, if you still want the job, ask for it. Doing so will show your enthusiasm.By following the suggestions outlined above, you may soon have a job.

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