Unit Two- Career Choices
7. Lesson Seven: The Job Search
- Success methods for a successful job search
- How to find a job that is right for you at the right time
With the cost of tuition continually rising, many college students will be looking for work during the summer. For the young person who is willing to do put forth the effort, there are opportunities out there in the work force that will not only provide some income, but also some life experience that will be beneficial down the road.
1. Step 1
Consider
your interests.
Think about what you enjoy doing. When you have spare time, what type of
activities do you pursue? Is there something you would love to learn to do?
2. Step 2
Consider
your preferences.
Do you like working inside with controlled temperatures? Or do you prefer to
work outside in the elements? Would you rather work alone or do you enjoy
working while surrounded by people?
Watch this short video about work preferences:
3. Step 3
Consider
your contacts.
Your friends, teachers, neighbours and relatives all make up a network of
possible contacts. Get the word out that you are looking for summer employment.
4. Step 4
Once you have thought through your interests, preferences and contacts, list potential jobs that coincide with your personal profile. If you are an inside-people person you might look for a job such as retail sales, secretary or office runner. If you are an outdoor-solitary person you may enjoy a job in areas such as landscaping, delivery or warehouse stocking.
5. Step 5
Use the internet and local publications to see what jobs are available in your area. Start your summer job search in the spring to get the jump on all the last-minute applicants.
Before you even send out a resume or start looking through the want ads, there are some things you should consider that will help you save time and effort in your job search.
What Do You Want?
It's easy to get sidetracked by fancy job titles and attractive salaries. You must decide what kind of work you would like to do. Do you want a job in the field you are in now or do you want to try your hand at something different. Finding out what you really want is the key to finding a fulfilling job. Taking some time to figure that out before you job search will probably save you a lot of headaches later. If you have no idea what you want, how will you ever look for it or find it?
What Do You Need?
What sort of hours do you want to work? Are you looking for a temporary or a permanent job? Do you want to work part time or full time? What salary or wage is the minimum you will require? Does your new job need to be close to home? What's the longest commute you will accept? By figuring out what you need, you'll know where to put your efforts when you start looking for work.
LifeStyle Changes?
Are you ready for the change in lifestyle that your new job will bring you? Do you have daycare arrangements made if you are a new mother returning to the workforce? Do you have the support of your family? By having your family on board, you can make the transition to a new job easier. You should consider that many new jobs bring changes, whether they be changes in schedule, income, or location. Before you start looking for work, ensure that you have the support you will need.
Have You Got A Strategy?
How long do you think it will take to find a job? How long can you afford to be unemployed? You should have some idea of your employment goals. If you want to have a job in the next two weeks, you need to act quickly. You'll want to list all the possible places you could apply, make a list of networking possibilities, get your resume ready, and start applying right away.
Will you be handling your own job search or do you want to have a recruiting firm assist you? If you are currently employed, how will you fit your job search activities into your current job? How much notice do you need to give your current employer? These are all things that if sorted out before your job search, can help make things easier for you later. Deciding on a strategy will help you avoid wasted time and job search effort.
A job search takes time and effort. By being organized and planning ahead before you start looking for a job, you can help make the process easier for yourself.
Company Research - What
You Need to Know
By Canadajobs.com Staff
It's critical when you're looking for a job that you research the company you're applying for. It's a good idea in many ways and certainly worth the time investment.
Before You Send In Your Resume:
You've seen a position advertised by XYZ Company and the job sounds great. One of the first things you should do is research the employer. By having some knowledge about the company you are applying to, you'll have some idea if this is a company you are interested in. You'll also know if they are financially stable, how their business works, and what their business is. Then, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you should apply for the position and whether or not you would seriously consider a job offer from this company.
At The Interview:
Want a better shot at answering those tough interview questions? Know the company you're interviewing for. Common interview questions like "Why should we hire you?" and "What do you think of our corporate culture?" are kind of hard to answer when you don't know anything about the company. If you want to come off more polished and prepared and give your interviewer answers with substance, take some time to research the company. Why should they hire you? Maybe because you've got extensive and direct experience dealing with the same type of products, vendors, and clients (if you do, of course!) How do you know what their major products are and who they deal with? You've researched it!
Finding out their corporate structure and how a company operates will help you decide how to answer questions by allowing you to place emphasis on those things the company views as important.
By having some knowledge of the company, your answers can be substantiated by not only explaining your past skills and experience, but by relating them to the company and its activities.
When you know a company's processes and hiring style, you'll also have a better idea of advancement opportunities and the potential for growth.
How To Research:
You can find information about companies virtually anywhere. Look for the company's Web site, put their name through a search engine, or talk to colleagues and relatives. If the company is public, you can find out financial information and reports on their Web site or by visiting a financial Web site.
Being prepared is the first step in feeling confident in both applying for a job and in your success at the job interview. By researching a company, you'll be in a better position to answer tough interview questions and you'll be better able to relate your past experience to what the company is looking for.