How to Get a Job (Part 1)

It takes time and effort to find a job. When you get right down to it, looking for a job is almost a full-time job! There are hundreds of books and publications available at the local library or bookstore that go into great detail but what it really comes down to is finding a job you can succeed at, be satisfied with, and which can support you and your family. Consider the following points in the job search process:

• If you already have a job, DON’T QUIT! You can look for other employment even while you are employed if you really set your mind to it. If you quit first and think later, you could miss just the right opportunity because you need the first job that comes along in order to make ends meet. If you’re still working while you look, you can be patient and wait for the right position.
• Determine the type of job you want and are qualified for and develop a job search plan that will take you there. This requires that you consider your work experience, your likes and dislikes, your skills and abilities and your personality type. You must be brutally honest with yourself on this….and when someone asks you what kind of job you are looking for, NEVER say, "I’ll take anything."
• Prepare a 1-2 page résumé, outlining your education, skills, and work history. Developing a good résumé is extremely important and requires more space to explain than is available here. However, there are many agencies and organizations that can help (see below). When sending your résumé via email, make sure you use the format requested by the employer. Often résumés written in certain applications, i.e. MS-Word or WordPerfect, will not be successfully transmitted if they are not re-formatted into the proper form.
• Prepare a cover letter that can be adapted to each job opening that you wish to apply for. A cover letter gives you the opportunity to provide more information about yourself, your aspirations, and why you believe you are the best person for the position. For both the cover letter and the résumé, neatness and accuracy (no typos, no grammatical mistakes) are critically important. Use spell check and ask a friend to review everything to ensure a quality product. A busy HR director will find it easy to pare down his pile of résumés submitted by simply tossing those that contain such errors.