September 5th, 2014
Searching for a job truly is a hunt – you have to always be watching and prepared to strike quickly and efficiently once you finally spot an opportunity. As any dedicated job hunter knows, looking for a job takes up a significant amount of time. Make sure you’re making the best use of your time by following these dos and don’ts for job hunting:
Do: Research the company
Before you apply for a job, always look up relevant information about the company so you can highlight your skills that will best fit their needs. Check out the company’s “About Us” page, search for recent press releases, and visit their social media pages.
Do: keep your resume short and sweet
Hiring managers are often inundated with applications and reportedly an average of six seconds initially scanning your resume or application. Increase the likelihood of staying out of the rejection pile: keep the wording to a minimum and use keywords from the job description so it’s obvious at first (very brief!) glance that you’re qualified.
Do: Clean up your online presence
Hiring managers are increasingly screening candidates on social media and other online sites. Before you job hunt, make sure there aren’t any potential red flags against you online, such as inappropriate pictures or posts. Delete any items you think could portray you in a bad light, but don’t remove all traces of personality – employers like to see your hobbies and interests to get a feel for how you’d fit into company culture.
Don’t: submit anything without proofreading
Pay attention to all correspondence you have with a potential employer – from the initial application to any follow-up emails. Each one is an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and attention to detail. Even just a quick reply to an email can make you look bad if you submit it with a typo.
Don’t: be overly persistent
Enthusiasm is good, but when it’s taken overboard, it can turn off employers and make you appear disrespectful of their time and simply unable to follow directions. Ask for timelines for when you should expect to hear back, as well as the preferred method of contact, and respect those limits. If you don’t hear back after the time period, then it’s okay to reach out.
Don’t: limit your options
Stay open-minded to other job search methods and opportunities. If you’re having difficulty finding a permanent full-time job, consider temporary work. It can help you fill gaps on your resume, gain experience, and stay in the workforce. Plus, you’ll be able to network with people, which could lead to a full-time job.
Make your job hunt a whole lot easier and stand out from the crowd with the help of a staffing firm in Fort Lauderdale. We connect employers with the most qualified candidates for their hiring needs. Plus, by working with a staffing firm, you’ll have access to job opportunities that are unlisted. Contact us for more information today!