With unemployment hovering at around 9 percent (and real unemployment closer to 16 percent), you need to play by a new set of rules if you expect to land a job in this economy. That means no more business as usual when it comes to cover letters, resumes, and networking. Some tips:
Research early. Most job hunters do a little bit of research a day or so before their interview. To compete with the other applicants for that great admin job--people who have credentials that often match or exceed yours--you’ve got to do your homework early. And you have to do a lot of it. Seek out information that may not be available to the general public. Dig deep. Your extensive research will show in your cover letter, your resume and, most importantly, your interview.
Network smartly. Networking can avail you of the non-public information you’ll need to stand out and shine. Try to gain access to company insiders. Pick their brains for information. You’ll find many will discuss their company’s goals, products and other key business metrics. You can then communicate what you’ve learned to hiring managers and segue into how your experience and education dovetails with their needs. Impressing HR managers in this way will put you on the very short list of potential candidates for the job.
Don’t rely on job boards. Only 11 percent of jobs are filled through job boards. On the other hand, a whopping 80 percent of jobs are filled via networking. By the time a job is listed on a job board, most HR managers already have a short list of candidates they’re ready to interview. The point is, you need to be on that short list. And to get on it, you should have been networking like mad to learn about the job opening. One way to do this is via the business networks on the Internet. Another way is to attend as many seminars, job fairs and trade shows as you can. At job fairs, don’t just ask about current job openings, but those that may be coming up. Make a note, gather business cards, and follow up with short emails.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
Got any thoughts on finding a job in a bad economy? Feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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