Job Hunting 101

Maybe you know, maybe you don’t…but my background is in recruitment. I started by working for a staffing company about 10 years ago as a Personnel Manager, and grew from there in to HR. I fell in to the job pretty easily by following advice from one of my best friends.
Whether you are looking for entry level or professional positions, here are a few tips I have come up with to help you find a job:

1. Edit your resume! I once had a 9 page resume land on my desk, and I would have thrown it out, but I kept it just in case the guy ever contacted me, so I could educate him (Which he did!) If you are applying for different types of positions, and not just one target area, you will need several versions of your resume, highlighting your relevant experience. (I will do a post specifically on resumes down the road, going in to more details.)

2. Let someone do the work for you. It can be time-consuming, but registering with as many staffing companies as you can, will give you an “in” with many local companies. Temp Agency is mostly a thing of the past. Most of the positions offered by staffing companies such as Randstad, Adecco, any of the Robert Half companies, specialize in “temp to hire”. This is a full-time, permanent position that the company has to fill. They call it “temp to hire” because during your 90 day probationary period, which you would have at ANY new job, you are paid through the staffing company. It allows the business to pay the staffing agency over time rather than in a lump sum payment. If you aren’t interested in doing temp work, then tell them that, and they will only call you for the jobs that will ultimately result in a permanent placement. Most staffing companies have an executive level placement service for higher level positions. This is a great way to go for upper level management, because you can negotiate pay and benefits through the agency. Believe me, they want you to get the highest salary possible, because their fee is based upon it.

3. Follow up on your resumes and applications. In this day and age, we apply for most jobs online, making it difficult to connect with a real person, prior to an interview. Be creative! Pull up the companies website and find out who the HR Manager is. Call them about a week after you submit your resume, just to inquire on the status. Don’t harass them, and definitely don’t stalker call them. But one phone call shows your interest above others.

4. Interviewing: If it’s one thing that makes me irritated, it’s when I interview someone who shows up in jeans. It doesn’t matter if you are applying for a job slopping pigs, you are making a first impression that you care about your appearance, and that you take the job seriously. Trust me, I would love to go to work in sweatpants, but even if that was appropriate dress for your job, DON’T GO TO AN INTERVIEW LIKE THAT!!!! You should be dressed in a business casual outfit, which consists of a dress, or dress shirt and pants. A tie is not necessary, but is suggested. And please, make sure the dress or skirt comes down to your fingertips at a minimum and no cleavage.

This is just the basics. If you have any questions specifically about applying or interviewing for jobs, email me or leave me a comment.