05 Oct 10 3 Very Effective but Rarely Used Job-Search Strategy
What most people do when they search for a job? They scan the job portals, and scour through newspaper ads. These are obvious places to look for, and almost everyone uses these job-search strategies. In this article, I am going to show you 3 non-so-obvious places that will help you find a job before anyone else does so.
Business networking sites
If you are looking for a job, and could not find a good one through the usual channels then business networking websites like LinkedIn and Ryze are the ones you should scan first. People often advertise jobs here, but to be successful in here, you will have to first make your presence felt by preparing a strong profile that should have some sound recommendation.
Job boards and forums
Believe it or not, forums also help people in getting hired. There are many job boards and forums where people ask and respond to various questions. You should also participate in such forums because it is the quality of your answers will increase your reputation, which will eventually land you in a decent job, as people are always on the look for a knowledgeable worker.
Blogging
Yes blogging can get you a full-time job as well. A blog does not only help you find a freelance gig, but it also helps you showcase the understanding of your field to the world. And it should not come to you as a surprise that employers love to have employees that are knowledgeable and astute. Your blog demonstrate both to the outside world.
Of the above three sources that we discussed above, blogging is the one which people do not take seriously as a job-search tool. Most of them are quite skeptic about the effectiveness of this tool, which makes it a very rarely used job-search tool. That is why I will suggest using this first.
Tags: Business Networking Sites, Decent Job, Find A Job, Find Job, Freelance Gig, Full Time Job, Job Boards, Job Portals, Job Search, Knowledgeable Worker, Linkedin, Looking For A Job, Presence, Reputation, Search Job, Search People, Search Strategies, Search Strategy, Search Tool, Showcase
27 Oct 09 Cold Calling For Jobs
It takes a great amount of confidence to cold call for jobs, but the rewards greatly justify the means. By cold calling you open up opportunities that haven’t been advertised at a corporation. Through this you beat the horde of applicants that come with any job, and showcase your commitment to work by looking for a job when you’re not sure one is available. That says to any company that you want to work for them, and in any hiring situation that plays in your favor every time.
So for starters, what is cold calling? Well put simply it’s literally calling companies you would be interested in working for, to inquire about jobs. Most of the time these companies don’t have any open positions listed, but that does not mean that there are no positions available. A company doesn’t always get around to announcing a job opening straight away. By calling before the position is announced, you put yourself into the running before anyone else is even considered.
Beware that in most cases your call may be met with negativity. The person you are calling oftentimes has an unwillingness to comply with anything you have to say. This is usually just because they are busy, and see your call as an inconvenience. But don’t get down on yourself for this. Stay positive and recognize that the negativity from them is not personal, and has nothing to do with you. Continue your inquiry, stay polite and courteous, and if there really is no chance of an available job, just move to your next possibility.
Remember to stay positive, and keep trying. Oftentimes you can end up on a call back list for potential employees when a position does become available. It’s always good to have on file that you were interested in working for them before a job was vacant.
Tags: Cold Call, Cold Calling, Confidence, Horde, Inconvenience, Jobs, Looking For A Job, Open Positions, Rewards, Showcase, Starters
14 Sep 09 Preparing For An IT Interview
Preparing for an interview in information technology can be a little bit different than your standard interview in a few ways. So preparation is key so that you may excel in the interview, and be ready for anything you are not expecting. Make sure you start things off with the standard professional demeanor. Stay positive, smile, dress for success, and make sure you have your firm steady hand shake carried with you.
You need confidence in an IT interview, while this is true of any interview, for IT it’s especially important. Information technology is a field that’s in constant flux, so your confidence in your ability to keep on top of that ever changing mountain is vital. Part of IT is having very good organizational skills, so show that by having prepared questions with you at the interview. Also, take a few notes about the important aspects of the job, and the answers to your questions. This will show that you have a real interest in what’s going on, and the position available.
Be prepared for the questions you are going to be asked, and make sure you don’t fumble for an answer. You should be expected to be asked basic questions about basic computer networking, as well as the more advanced. So make sure you know your stuff, and that all of your knowledge is absolutely current. Nothing will look worse than struggling to answer a question, or having an answer that’s out of date.
Finally, make sure you develop good informed questions, that are specific to the company to which you are applying. Try a few challenging ones specific to the field, or discussing new technology, or techniques. Anything that helps you look informed, as well as interested in the company. You want to appear interested in working for this employer, and you want to showcase your knowledge and value. Good questions do that better than you would believe.
Tags: Basic Computer Networking, Basic Questions, Confidence, Constant Flux, Dress For Success, Excel, Fumble, Good Organizational Skills, Important Information, Information Technology, Job, Little Bit, New Technology, Preparing For An Interview, Professional Demeanor, Showcase, Smile, Steady Hand
