U.S. Department of Labor Provides Tips for Successful Job Hunting
by Robert Black
Finding and obtaining a job can be grueling. However, if you take the right steps throughout the process much of your struggle may be
subdued. In their 2008-2009 Outlook Handbook, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics offers trusted tips for locating and pursuing jobs. By learning and knowing more about the techniques
used in job hunting your success rate will rise. Some of these techniques
include: where to look for job openings, search methods, what to do when
applying for a job, interviewing tips, and evaluating a job offer.
Beginning Your Search
Effective ways of locating a job including using personal contacts,
Internet resources, career fairs, classified ads, employers, and private
employment agencies. Each one of these ways has strengths and weaknesses, but
if you combine the different search processes it has proven to be profitable
for the job seeker. Knowing where to look for a job is exceptionally important
because it’s the start of the entire “job hunting” process.
Finding a job can take much longer than expected when your
looking to further your career. Yet, using your job search methods effectively
can make the search swifter and more successful. For example, many jobs that
become available are filled even before they become publically listed. This is
why it is important to use personal contacts as much as possible. Talk with
family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, associates, and even former
employers because networking is the single best way to stay on top of the job
market. By just keeping in touch with people and letting them know that you are
looking for a new job will help you significantly in starting that new career.
Some other fruitful tactics used in searching for jobs are
internet resources, classified ads, and career fairs. Job hunting on the web is
great because you can do it anywhere. Another benefit is that you can narrow your
searches to specific industries, cities, or companies. Searching on the
internet also allows you to read message boards and get a better feel for the
position through other people’s comments. Next, reading the classified ads is
the classic way to job search. The classifieds are a great way to quickly scan
for “help wanted” ads which can lead to a job. Its important reply, quickly, to
these postings because they are viewed by many people everyday and the jobs are
generally filled rapidly. Lastly, taking the time to go to career fairs will
pay off in more ways then just finding a job. By attending career fairs you
will meet many different employers, extend your network, and learn about new
companies that could be future employers. Also, you will be passing out your
resume to various different companies so bring at least thirty copies.
Applying for a Job
Applying for a job is trickier than just contact the
employer and submitting your resume. It is of the utmost importance that you
keep your resume up to par because employers view your resume as on paper
evidence of your skills and qualifications. The point of your resume is to show
the employer that you are the best qualified candidate for the position.
Building and maintaining your resume is a major key to securing a job through
the application process.
Another process that you almost always have to complete when
applying for a job is the interview. In an interview you have the opportunity
to show the company who you are and to show your personality to the employer.
In this live evaluation you are again illustrating why you are qualified for
the job and demonstrating that you can effectively do what the job demands. You
should be well groomed for the interview and dress to the occasion. Some other
tips for interviewing according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook are “be
early, learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm
handshake. Use good manners with everyone you meet. Relax and answer each
question concisely. Use proper English—avoid slang. Be cooperative and
enthusiastic. Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t
slouch. Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid
questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site. Also avoid
asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made. Thank
the interviewer when you leave and shake hands. Send a short thank you note
(Finding, 1).”
Evaluating a Job
Offer
After the processes of searching for a job and applying for
one, hopefully you will receive a job offer. However, before you accept the job
offer you must evaluate it to make sure it’s the right choice. First, do some
more background research on the organization to find out some of the things
that can’t be answered by the basic questions. You might even want to go to a
library and use a background program database. Some of these include:
- Dun & Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory
- Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations
- Mergent’s Industrial Review (formerly Moody’s
Industrial Manual)
- Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
- Ward’s Business Directory
Another place you can scan while applying for the job and
after you have received an offer from the company, is the news and newspaper.
Look in publications for the company’s successes and failures which will give
you strong insight on the company. In addition, try to find out what the
organizations plan for the future are, figure out if their plan coincides with
what you want out of your job. Furthermore, ask the employer about the salary
and benefits of the position. It is ok to ask these questions directly 5to the
employer once you’ve been offered the job. These two things can make or break
whether or not you accept the offer. It is of the utmost importance that you
evaluate the job offer that you have been presented with, before you accept the
job (Finding, 1).
"Finding and Applying for Jobs and Evaluating Offers." Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition . 18 Dec. 2007. US Department of Labor. 30 July 2008
<http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2004.htm>.