Whether you are a recent college grad who has been bombarded with discouraging words concerning the job market or an individual who has been searching for a job for quite some time and feels like there's no hope, frustration is bound to kick in. It happens to the best of us, especially when job hunting is involved. The following are some ways to transform that frustrated feeling into a hopefully calmer one:
1. Change your attitude
Economy, economy, economy. The word could make anyone want to run for the hills, especially a recent graduate who has just entered the highly anticipated "real world." Many students graduate from college, not only with a sense of accomplishment but also a feeling of dread. Negativity about the job market and the weakening economy has already dampened the enthusiasm needed to begin a job search.
Change your attitude! Be optimistic about each job you apply for.
2. Adjust your e-mail signature
Maybe you've signed up for job listings sites like Indeed.com or Monster.com, but have you taken advantage of the email blasts? Users can sign up to receive daily or weekly notice for when jobs in ones related field become available.
Also, how's your email signature looking? You may think that signatures are often overlooked, but often times they are not. Your nickname and a cute quotation is nice for your everyday email, but for your professional mailing system, here are 6 key tools to include in your signature:
* Full name
* E-mail Address
* Telephone number
* Website and/or Social network
* College and Year Graduated [For recent grads]
* Link to your resume/CV [optional]
3. Strategize
In other words: use your time wisely. As tempted as you are to wake up early each morning, hop on the computer and search for jobs on job search engines for HOURS on end, YOU'RE LOSING VALUABLE TIME every day!
Plan your day effectively. Set aside a few hours for online job hunting and spend the rest networking (which I will get more into in #4). You need to get out there and spend time meeting with real people, completing informational interviews, and using sites like LinkedIn and/or Xing, to find contacts at your target companies.
Focus your search hours on the right efforts.
4. Seize Opportunities
Network, network, network! The only way companies will notice you, is if you make yourself noticed. Imagine yourself at a big networking event and you are given the opportunity to speak in front of 50 people who could be potential help in your job search. If you don't make eye contact, speak too softly and don't strive to be Unforgettable, then it would have all been a waste.
Networking isn't just about new people, but it's begins with the people you already know. It's all about creating a web of connections until you eventually branch out to the job or company you have your hopes set on. Touch base with all your references, because if a potential employer calls them, you can bet they will not hesitate as much when remembering who you are.
Get out there and meet new people. Be confident, speak with a powerful voice, and most importantly, be interesting.
5. Follow Up
We've heard this before, but is it actually done? Following up after the interview definitely separates the amateurs from the pros. When you finally land that interview, you want to make sure you obtain the interviewer's business card (this ensures correct spelling and title, the street address and his/her e-mail).
Next, on the very same evening, send him/her a thank you email for the interview. This will show your appreciation and let's face it; a little gratitude goes a long way. For bonus points, send him/her a snail mail letter. That's right... a hand written thank you letter. It not only expresses your interest in the job, but it exemplifies strong professional qualities.
Around the fifth day after the interview, make a follow-up phone call and let the interviewer know your continued interest in the job and ask if there is any further information that is needed from you.
It has been said that some companies purposely wait one to two weeks to make job offers, so that they can observe who follows up versus those who do not. So, don't think the interviewer is "too busy"! Chances are, they're waiting on you to show some added interest.
Hopefully these 5 tips will put you in the enthusiastic stage of job hunting again and will eliminate the nagging feeling of frustration... forever!
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