Initial job search steps

Hi there, here I will about initial steps a job seeker has to know. I went through them myself and had been employed. I’m still with the same company, which has been already 1.5 years to the date of this post.

So, first you will have to prepare your resume and a cover letter. It would be a good idea to browse internet and find some good examples of a resume and cover letter. Just take the examples into consideration when writing your own ones. It is important. 
Remember that your resume and cover letters must be prepared in the way local job seekers do that. There are certain types of resumes and styles. I will outline more details on resumes and cover letters later in my blog. If you need help visit local career or community center. They will help you with these documents.

After you have your resume and cover letter in ready in hands start sending it out. Good sources of where to find job opportunities are local newspapers, advertising boards. There are also specialized job search websites, but I personally think there is not too much help from them. So, when I was looking for a job I stuck to newspapers and advertising internet boards. Look for positions that relevant to your job experience or knowledge. Apply in the manner it is specified in an ad. You may want to send responds to approximately 8-10 ads a day or less or more, which depends on your desire. Make a database to track where you sent it, include status columns in your database.

After this, you will have to wait. Wait approximately from 1 to 2 weeks per ad. If there is no response from employer give them a call. Introduce yourself and kindly ask about your resume if they got it and what is the status. Say that you will call back like in 1 week. This is called follow up. Certain communication skills may be required. So if you’ve never done this before I recommend you to get skills upgraded at a local career center.  Please note that employers are interested only on candidates that give any interest to their company. If you send out your resume and never come back to employer to follow up – forget about it and don’t expect employer to contact you. This is my own vision of how it worked for me at that time. I don’t think much has changed for 1.5 years.

Go to interview. You will have to prepare for your interview. Get some info about the company invited you for an interview. Understand what products they deal with. Get some background. Prepare yourself and prepare kind of speech to introduce yourself on an interview. Check internet for interview tips and FAQs. This may also help.

So, if you pass the interview they will offer you a job. Ready carefully the contract and understand it and ask some questions to HR if any. If you are satisfied with terms and conditions of your new  job offer – go for it and accept it!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Finding a job is a challenging process and requires some work and efforts.

I hope you will succeed in it. Good luck!