Don't blow the interview your job search landed you

 The feeling of receiving an invitation to interview can leave you both overjoyed and overwhelmed. With growing fears of prolonged gaps of unemployment, especially for older job seekers, developing a job search strategy that really works means there's no room to blow your chances of getting hired during your interview. Here are a few simple ways to nail your interview:

Do your research. Review the company website and familiarize yourself with their social networks. Read their latest news, know the names of executives, and know their values and mission. Be timely. Arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Be aware. A good impression during your interview depends on complete awareness in your outward appearance and body language. Keep your dress professional, keep eye contact, look pleasant, and don't fidget.

Be concise and direct. Have a 1-minute elevator pitch in place. Be direct and play off the interviewer to learn when to share more during an answer. Show confidence and positivity. While the job hunt might have you feeling negative and full of self-doubt, this is not the time to show any of it. Ask the right questions. Prepare at least three questions to ask after your interview. Say thank you. Some may say it's outdated, but a handwritten thank you note is always a nice touch to the completion of an interview.

 : Tips to help manage your time

 Conducting a successful job search requires focus and motivation. The energy and focus levels will be high during the initial stages of your search. Over time, you'll find yourself having to re-energize and refocus your efforts daily. Here are some strategies designed to help you manage your time effectively during your job search:

Set up specific "office hours" when you'll work on your campaign. This helps give your search structure. Set up your weekly and daily work schedule, and stick to it. Have a list of objectives that you would like to accomplish each day, and goals you would like to hit during the course of the week. Maintain a steady work pace. The early temptation during a job search is to front-load it by working at breakneck speed, day and night. That's a good prescription for two things you want to avoid at all costs: burnout and loss of motivation. Reward yourself when you reach your goals. Stay flexible and nimble.

Have a process for evaluating your performance. As with any job, a job search must have a performance review component. You need an unbiased way to determine what's working and what is not. Job searches are never easy, and you have to be prepared to work for your next career move. Managing your time is the best way to stay focused and ensure your search doesn't take forever.

 

 

Get your resume ready before you need a job

Many people wait until they need a job (or a job opportunity is brought to their attention) before they get their resumes in order. But if you wait until you absolutely need your resume, then you may already be too late. In reality, you never know when you'll need a job, or when a job opportunity will present itself.

If you're not ready to move, rest assured your competition for these opportunities is ready, willing and able. While you spend the next week or two getting your resume together, someone else is submitting theirs. One of the most simplest and most important tactics you can implement in your job search and career development is to be ready. Invest the time to create a thorough resume focusing on your current accomplishments and job skills.

Always keep your resumes updated. As you review your materials, consider your overall career development. Are there software or technical skills you need to improve on, experiences to gain that would increase employer interest, or other ways to advance your career? Having your resume ready before you need a job means you'll be able to act quickly when opportunities come your way.


 

What to look for when job hunting

While the vast majority of us work out of necessity, this does not mean that we shouldn't be able to enjoy the job which we do. Finding employment is as much about securing a stable income as it's about contributing your skills to the world. Identifying areas in which you excel is the first thing you need to do in order to establish what sort of jobs will suit you. Always direct your job hunt towards specialized career sites that target specific markets and industries.

Once you have established what area you want to work in, the next thing you need to do is determine which positions you're able to apply for. Again, this will require a trip to career sites which post job listings for various positions within specific industries. Many of these sites include detailed job listings which outline exactly what the role entails and what qualifications and experience is needed. Compare this against your own credentials and apply to those positions which you feel you are qualified for.

If you don't quite meet the requirements, but think you would still be the ideal candidate, then it may be worth submitting an application anyway. If you choose this course of action then it's important that you address any shortcomings in your cover letter. Offer explanations for why you think you're a suitable candidate as well as giving a positive spin to any gaps in your resume.