Landing a New Job in Tough Times

With the economic forecast being as gloomy as an approaching thunderstorm and so many company's laying off, you may be wondering if its possible to land a new job. Many experts in the job outlook field say you can if you stand out among all other applicants. Landing a job may be a little tougher these days but if you go the extra mile and set yourself apart from the rest. You can land a new job.

Many people are in the same situation you are; they're looking for a new job. With more people applying for the same job, you have to be the one that stands out. Also remember that many others are trying to stand out as well. In addition to these tips you may want to spend some time deciding what's unique and valuable about your qualifications and what extra assets you can bring to the company. Once you decide on those things you need to promote those skills above others.

It may be helpful to study and apply some guerrilla marketing techniques. A lot of employers are looking online, not at job databases but at your personal information, to find out what kind of person you are. Make yourself noticeable by using social networking sites like Twitter, LinkdIn, Facebook and others. Create a professional profile on these sites and update with relevant information for your status settings. Social networking is the wave of today and the future. Utilize it's abilities to get yourself seen in the business world so you stand out.

You've long known about researching a company's history before applying for a job. These days it's crucial to know about a company. Many employers may be asking more company related questions in the interview process to thin out the applicants. Make sure you know the company as well as you can. Having a diverse job history has become normal in the past few years, but with economic hard times many employers may be reverting back to hiring people who will be company based as opposed to those who job hop every few years. Present yourself as a "company oriented" employee. Let them know you'll be there for the long haul.

Practice interview questions and situations. Do some research online to find out the types of questions being asked these days. Many company's are also doing 'character profiling' to find out how you'll respond to certain situations. While there may be no wrong answers on these types of surveys, there can definitely be better right answers. Find out what these profiles entail and study them. Do not be dishonest when answering these questions, but do strive to give the best answer in a situation.

This website can give you some information on personality tests for job applicants: http://www.profilesinternational.com/SOL_Personality_Tests.aspx

Follow up. This is not a new tip, but you need to find a new twist to the traditional follow up. Send out a thank you card after the interview and give the company a solution that could solve a problem. Show them the skills and foresight that you can bring to the company and that, in a sense, you are already on the job.