Practical Tips for Finding a Job That's Right for You

Are you a recent college or high school graduate looking for employment? In these difficult economic times with unemployment at an all time high, finding a job is overwhelming. The following tips and strategies for finding employment are helpful tools that will get you in the door of the interview room.

Be aware of what you want in a job. Don't just go out there, applying to every job you see. This will only lead to disappointment in the job you find and probably a short lived stay at the new position. Always know what you want from a job position. Take time to think about the type of work that will not only give you a pay check, but personal satisfaction, as well.

Go into the interview with a positive attitude. Being positive will give the interviewer a good feeling about you. You don't want to walk into the room like a sad sack, with bad vibes emanating from your slouched shoulders and scuffing feet. Walk into the room with a smile and a winning attitude.

Make a good impression during an interview by being confident. Step in the door with an 'in charge' posture, head high and shoulders back. If you show that you are self-assured, others will be optimistic about your abilities. Remember to dress for success. Wear appropriate attire for the job interview that reflects the confidence you have in yourself.

Be proactive in your job search. Wake up in the morning ready to put a full day into developing your resume, searching the want ads for appropriate prospects, making phone calls to prospective employers, and searching job databases. There are hundreds of people who will be applying for the same job you do, so don't lose heart if you don't get the first job you apply for. Keep going. Every day follow the same routine. Your job is to get a job. Treat the job search as full time work. Don't procrastinate, putting off that phone call, or sending out your resumes. Stay proactive and you will find the job you are looking for.

Realize that you will not be offered every job you apply for. Rejection is part of the job search process. Let the rejections roll off and keep at it. Your persistence will pay off in the end. After applying for a job or sending a resume to a company, call the human resources department and inquire as to the status of your application. Try to get some specifics about how many applicants there were for the position and when to expect a response. If you are passed over, go on to the next job application. Just remember not to take rejection personally. There is a job out there for you; all you have to do is persevere.

In the past, newspaper ads were the only places to look for available job openings, but today, most people search the online job banks. Try a few of the following sites for your job search. You will be amazed at the number of available jobs in a variety of fields.

Indeed is one of the best online sources for job openings. It incorporates many of the job listings from other sites into one place.

Monster.com is a very popular job site. The listings are current and there are jobs listed from all over the world. This is a great place to get a feel for the types of jobs that are available in your area of expertise.

Job.com updates available jobs on a daily basis. You can post your resume on this site for free and maybe an employer will come looking for you, instead of the other way around.

HotJobs is another site where you can post your resume for employers to look at. This job site also offers career advice and salary information.

These are just a few of the online job search sites available. Do a search on Google and you are sure to come up with many more, but the sites listed above are great places to get started on the job search.

Also, check out the local unemployment agency in your area. You can look at their job banks right at the unemployment office for all the jobs available in your area. This is a great place to find local jobs, especially if you don't have a computer at home. They also have counselors that will work with you for free, helping find the right job for you.

When you go on the job interview, make sure you bring the important papers you will be asked for. These include: resume, references, a license or other proof of identity, and your social security card. Don't run into a roadblock before you even begin the interview by not having the necessary paperwork.

Keep in mind that the person interviewing potential employees will ask questions. Speak with self-assurance and confidence when answering the questions. It's a good idea to practice with a friend before the interview. Have your friend ask typical questions that an employer might ask and practice answering the questions. One of the most common questions is: Tell me a little about yourself. A lot of people are not prepared for this question. Don't begin the answer with,"Ah, uhm, ah..." Know what to say before you get there. Remain calm and confident, embellishing your strong points and let the interviewer know what you want form this job. The next day after the interview, send a thank-you note to the interviewer, thanking him or her for taking the time to interview you. A thank-you note shows a little class and makes a great impression.

Hopefully, these job search strategies will help you find the employment you are looking for. Don't become one of the unemployment statistics. Begin your job search today and don't give up until you find what you are looking for.