Job Searching
Generally, your instructor promotes sending out as many resumes (with cover letters) as possible to all job possibilites. It's called "the numbers game." The more jobs to which you apply, the greater probability that you'll get more responses. The difficult side of this approach, is the need to keep thorough notes and records about where you applied and the type of position available with all the details.
The next article is the opposite viewpoint. What do you think? After you read the article, please add your ideas to the comments, below.
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Apply Less (to Fewer Positions)
By: Luke Miller
If you're out of work and looking for a new job, you may be tempted to follow the conventional wisdom to send resumes and applications to anyone and everyone who might possibly be thinking about hiring. While turning over every rock is a good way to discover opportunities, be careful that your search doesn't become a mile wide and an inch deep.
During a recent search, I came across a resume that looked really good. The applicant had relevant experience, and, based on work history, seemed like a good fit for our organization. I called the applicant to ask a few questions and schedule an interview, and she had no recollection of applying and asked me to remind her who we were. After a few questions, it became clear that she wasn't interested in the position we were hiring for.
A good job search requires job seekers to work smarter, to maximize their time and energy. Find positions that fit you within organizations for whom you'd like to work. Focus your efforts on deeper searching, and apply to fewer positions. Tailor your resume for specific jobs and companies, research opportunities and take notes about the positions you're applying for, and don't waste your time by applying for jobs you don't actually want.
Source: www.ChristianJobs.com
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Search Tips
Make Your Online Presence Employer-Friendly
Potential employers want to know as much as possible about a candidate they're vetting for a position. Resumes communicate a person's experience and an interview can answer many questions, but there's a third tool a recruiter can use to access information about someone they're thinking about hiring: Google.
If you're looking for a job, make sure that you've done the research on… yourself. Dig into your Facebook and Twitter accounts, your blogs, and your LinkedIn profile. Google yourself. Think through how your posts and profiles might look to a potential employer as they do a quick search. Depending on how you want to manage it, there are two good options for controlling this: Go private on your profiles, or better yet, make them employer-friendly.
Looking for a job in sales or marketing? Show your skills through your social media accounts. Want to show your passion for your industry? Start sharing relevant information about that passion. Taking a little bit of time to think and work through this can save you a ton of headache down the line.
www.ChristianJobs.com 22 Feb 2013
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Track Your Job Search
Don't be like Sarah on our British Council video who seemed unprepared for a call from an interested employer. When that call comes, BE READY. Tracking your job search is the key to being ready to respond confidently to all phone calls or emails connected with your job search. Download the .pdf file below to see a simple form you can use to track your job search. You may want to customise it to your specific needs, like adding columns for salary or company phone number.