That’s the easier part -  you already have the experience and the background.  If you’re looking for a new job, the important things to keep in mind are dedication, patience and perseverance.  Make sure that you focus on your job search!  Check resources both online and off on a regular basis - daily if you’re between jobs or very serious about a new position and at least once every other week if you just want to be aware of the job market in your industry.

Good luck!

The day after the interview, send a follow-up letter. A letter can be a great idea to refresh their memory of the interview, and can convey your enthusiasm for the position. If there are several qualified individuals that the company is choosing from, the courtesy of a follow-up letter could really move you to the front of the pack. But keep the letter itself simple! Thanking them for their time and a brief mention of something about the company that engaged you is all you really need.

No matter how tempting it is, don’t call multiple times to follow-up on your interview! Unless you were specifically asked to call back by a certain date, now is the time to wait – and to keep applying for other jobs! It can take time for companies to go through the process, and you don’t want to make your enthusiasm look like impatience. If you haven’t heard anything after two weeks, it’s ok to call – once!

Good luck!

When looking for a new job, it’s a great idea to set regular goals for yourself!  Plan to send out a certain number of resumes a day or by the end of the week.  Spend an hour or two each day combing through listings in the paper or online.  Remember, the more resumes you send out to companies and positions you’re interested in, the greater the chance you’ll get that all important first interview!

Good luck!

Remember, a cover letter can be used to:

• Highlight specific skills
• Show your interest and enthusiasm in a company
• Stress your accomplishments
• Explain any significant gaps in your career history
• Add a touch of personality

Remember, it’s very important to keep your resumé professional – but it can be the added touch that gets you that crucial first interview!

Remember when searching in another city to pay attention to the cost of living – doing a salary and cost of living comparison is really important!  The last thing you want to do is pack up and move to your great new job only to find out that it’s actually harder to make ends meet!  But with some research, you could end up with not just a wonderful new career, but also a whole new life!

One good resource to check out is Career Explorer – a site that gives an overview of a number of different career fields and some of the jobs that are within them.  If you need to learn some basics about the fields, it’s a great resource.

For more detailed information, check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook – a resource of the federal government that gives detailed information on just about every career you can think of – from salary to working conditions to the education required.

The important thing to look for in all of these careers is the education required – if you need to go back to school, you’ll want to find that out and determine how long it will take and if it matches your personal timeline.

Do as much research as you possibly can!   Remember, the key to finding the right career for you begins by learning about what it entails and deciding if it’s something you’d be happy doing. 

Best Jobs in America

Money Magazine and Salary.com have compiled a report of top jobs.  They rate careers based on salary and job prospects, taking into account stress levels, flexibility and how easy it is to enter and advance.  Take a look – they have 166 different jobs listed, and you might see something that you’ve never even considered before! 

Make a list of 10 of your strongest assets.  Are you comfortable with numbers and spreadsheets?  Do you like public speaking?  Can you write clearly or draw or speak multiple languages?  Do you keep your checkbook balanced?  Are you good with tools?  If you’re currently in a career, focus on the parts you enjoy most and are successful at.  If you’re starting out, take a look at your strengths at home or in school.

Once you’ve made a list of some of your strengths, you can start to take a look and see if there’s a strong pattern.  You may have a lot of items that involve you working with your hands, with data or numbers, with other people, or with creativity!  Not only can this list help you determine your strengths and what kinds of careers to begin looking at, it can also be used as a great resume boosting exercise!

Yesterday, I posted about some of the basics: be prompt, be professional, and educate yourself about the company and position in advance.  The importance of these three things can never be expressed enough.  But if your interview fear is strong enough that you’re worried about the impression you might give, relax and take a deep breath.

First of all, remember that you’ve already done the hard part – getting your resumé picked out of the crowd.  Focus on your positives before the interview. Remind yourself of where your strengths lie, why you’d be good in the position and that you’d be an asset to the company.  When in the interview, take your time!  Speak slowly and clearly and take a second if you need to search for the best word or example. 

Secondly, practice – the more you interview, the more comfortable you’ll be!  Find out if there are places that offer practice interviews near you – check with your college career center or local unemployment agency, just to start.  Hit up friends and family to see if they’ll ask you a few questions. 

Another thing to try: visiting career fairs.  Less formal than an interview, they can give you a chance to make a first impression in more casual conversation.   Less pressure might be what you need to shine – and it’s another chance to distribute your resumé.  And if you get called in for an interview, you may find it easier to relax if you’ve already met some of the HR people!

Lastly, prepare a list of questions in advance!  Ask questions about the company and the position.  Not only is it usually less pressure to listen than talk, but it’ll also reinforce your enthusiasm and interest in the company.

Good luck, and remember – you can make a great impression!

Have relevant experience

Even when looking for an entry-level position, relevant experience can make all the difference.  So take advantage of internships and externships while you’re in school and keep your eye out for volunteer opportunities.  Every little bit of experience you can bring to the job increases your worth!

Be professional

There’s an old saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression – that’s even more true when it comes to interviews!  So make sure that you’re prompt and professional, dressed in appropriate business attire.  Do some research on the company and be ready to ask, as well as answer, questions.

Be enthusiastic

Employers appreciate employees that bring energy and enthusiasm to the job, that care about the work that they’ll be doing.  Ask questions that express your interest in the job and what you’ll be doing and emphasize why you think you’d do a great job.  Even once you’re hired, it’s important to stay positive and concentrate on learning the ins and outs of the position – particularly in the first, crucial 90 days.

If you follow these three tips, your job search should be more rewarding – and so will your job.