Career Boosting Tips

Are you currently unemployed? If you are, there is a good chance that you may be looking for a new job.  Even if you are not unemployed, you may still be interested in finding a new job, like one that gives you more pleasure or one that pays better.  When it comes to finding a new job, you will end up embarking on a journey that is often referred to as job hunting.  Although your first thought may to be start finding job listings right away, you are advised against doing so. There are actually a number of things that you will first want to do.

Are you in need of a job?  Whether you are currently unemployed or if you would just like to find a new job, one that pays better or one that you actually enjoy doing each and everyday, you may be wondering how you can go about finding new opportunities. When it comes to finding job listings, which outline open positions, you will find that you have a number of different options.  Some of those options are quite obvious, like using online career hunting or job hunting websites or the employment section of a newspaper; however, there are other options that are fairly unique, but effective.

Are you currently job hunting?  If you are, you will likely find a number of job listings that you want to apply for, if you haven’t already done so.  No matter what type of job you are applying for, whether you want to be a contractor, a secretary, or a retail store manager, you will want to make a resume for yourself.  Resumes are often used to replace or supplement a traditional job application. The only thing is that your resume needs to be professional in nature.

Are you looking for a career change or are you currently unemployed?  If you are, you will need to find a new job. As you likely already know, you have a number of different options when it comes to finding a job.  However, you may be curious as to what all of your options are.

I am lazy.  I like web design because I ultimately want to work (and I use the term loosely) from home.

I don’t like mornings.  I don’t like working set hours.  I would rather work through the night than drag myself out of bed each morning and go to work.

During the times that I was unemployed, I really didn’t do as much as I should have to find work.

This article is a retrospective reflection on my experiences with some advice on how to motivate your self to get out there and a find a job.

When you are first looking for a job, there are many steps you can take to help find the ideal position - that is, one which fits both your interests and expertise.

First, you’ve got to have clarity in your own mind concerning the type of position you will pursue. That may sound very basic, but for long term job satisfaction, you need to be comfortable with your interests and passions. You also need to know what type of career will best suit your personality.

When a company starts to consider you seriously, you should begin to think about the negotiation. What do you want? What are you prepared to accept? How badly do you want the job?
Negotiations can conclude in one of four ways:
1. You can negotiate and get everything you want.
2. You can negotiate and get half of what you want.
3. The company can stand firm with its offer and make no effort to negotiate.
4. The company can withdraw its original offer.
Think about which outcomes you are or are not comfortable with. That way when you sit down to talk compensation, you’ll know what you will and will not accept.
What else can you do to ensure the best results? Here are some additional tips:
Choose Your Top Offers
If you have more than one or two offers, you may have a few lower-choice offers to turn down. It’s not a good idea to test your negotiating skills with a company you don’t plan to work for, because word could get back to the companies you do want to work for. Instead, practice negotiating with a friend or a colleague. If you need more time to make a decision on an offer, call your prospective employer sooner rather than later and arrange for another week or two to decide.
Establish Your Priorities and Walk Away
With the offer letter in hand, you need to evaluate the salary and benefits (plus intangibles) in light of your own needs and market value. What are your fixed expenses? Keep in mind that a job in Portland, Ore. might pay less than one in New York, but you’ll make more once you factor in cost of living.
Do Your Research
The more information you have about compensation scales for the job and industry you’re looking into, and the more you know about negotiation, the better off you’ll be in the negotiation. Get your hands on whatever comparative salary data you can find to reinforce your position. Business publications, trade associations and professional organizations publish annual pay surveys and a good college or public librarian should be able to help you find this data.
Understand Your Negotiating Position
One headhunter compares the job hunt with dating: “In the course of your interviews, it will become apparent how much they want you. If they are very prompt with the offer letter, call to see whether you received it, offer to fly you out again, offer a high signing bonus and generally lavish attention on you, it means that they want you and your negotiating position is strong. Conversely, you may be a second or third choice if you get the offer letter some time after your interview, it’s obviously a form letter, the signing bonus is low or you have trouble making a follow-up appointment with the hiring manager.” The message: Know whether it’s an employers’ or a candidates’ market.
Meet Your Hiring Manager in Person
It’s easier to influence the job description and find creative solutions on how to meet your specific needs when you deal with the hiring manager in person. He or she will have more room for flexibility (particularly if the firm really wants you). Besides, this is a person you will be working with later. In the salary negotiation meeting, express your enthusiasm for the job. Then lay out your points (not more than three, unless you have a darned good reason), starting with the most important. Your goal is to present your case for a better package in a rational, non-confrontational way, basing your arguments on industry standards, rather than on your personal needs. If you’re serious about going to work for them, tell them that you’ll sign on if they can clear up this, this and this point — and stand by what you say.

You talk too fast. You avoid eye contact. You ask too many questions. You wear too much perfume. You lie about your work history. You show up late to interviews. You don’t do your research.

And you wonder why you haven’t gotten a job yet?
There’s no such thing as an error-free job search, says Eli Davidson, business coach and author of “Funky to Fabulous.” Most mistakes can be avoided with a little attentiveness.
“The best way to get a great job is to have a laser beam focus,” Davidson says. “The more targeted and specific you are, the more powerful your job search will be.”

Do you want to extend your time looking for a job? Of course not. Candidates are always on the lookout for the most efficient, effective way to find new work. The following tips — when heeded during the job search and interview processes — can make job hunting go by faster:

1. Customize your résumé and cover letter.
It might seem faster to blast off generic materials to dozens of employers, but this will cost you time in the long run. Tailor your résumé and cover letter to each open position to clearly demonstrate how your experience fills the employers’ requirements. For example, if you’re applying for a public relations role, give your PR experience a prime spot on your résumé.

Are you looking for a new job? If you are and if you also have internet access, there is a good chance that you may end up turning to career hunting or job hunting websites.  Two examples of these types of websites are CareerBuilder.com, Hotjobsng.com and Monster.com. Although these websites are great ways to gain access to hundreds, if not thousands, of up-to-date job listings, if you want to be successful it is advised that you know how to get the most out of these websites.  A few helpful tips that you may want to familiarize yourself with are outlined below.