I submitted my resume, now what?
A mistake made by many college graduates who have never had to undertake the daunting task of getting a real job is simply allowing themselves to play the waiting game. After submitting a resume, too many prospective employees simply sit around by their cell phones or obsessively refresh their inboxes in hopes of getting an answer. In order to successfully navigate the well-populated job search waters an applicant must get away from this “the ball is in their court” mentality. This isn’t like asking an attractive acquaintance on a date and having her say she’ll think about it. Assuming you got the job listing from a credible source, you know the company at which you applied is actively looking for someone to fill the position. What they don’t know, or may not immediately recognize, is that you have the necessary skill-set to meet their needs. Follow up repeatedly. Don’t be afraid to call and leave messages or send emails to further inquire about the status of their employee search. Unlike courting members of the opposite sex, persistence in the job hunt comes off as determined and motivated, whereas in the dating world might come off as creepy or lead to a restraining order in extreme cases. Remember, the job hunt is an active endeavor. Read more
What not to do
In can be tough to give job hunters everything they need before sending in an application, showing up for an interview or even starting a first day at a new position. Perhaps, the easiest thing to do is share a few things that will most certainly shoot a candidate right in the foot before they’ve even gotten a fair shake. If you’re sitting around wondering why that dream job never called you back or even why your stay at a new company was shorter than expected, you might want to take a look at these mistakes and bad habits, followed by a quick trip down memory lane.Assume they need you more than you need the job Whether in the interview or even after you’ve started, keep in mind that you’re the one who’s unemployed or unhappy at your current position. Hiring somebody in today’s job market is like shooting fish in a barrel. You may indeed be the most talented candidate, but respect is something that’s earned over time. On your first day, you shouldn’t be above any task your supervisor asks of you.Send a generic cover letter Or even worse no cover letter at all. HR departments are constantly bombarded with resumes for opening. Whether you’re applying for a top-level management job or to be a weekend clerk at your local convenience store, don’t send in a resume without a cover letter. A generic cover letter does very little to advance your chances as a potential hire (aside from demonstrate your willing to write a paragraph or two, which is more than no cover letter says). A well-tailored cover letter, on the other hand, is just another asset by which you can distinguish yourself from the masses, showing you’ve researched the position, have a genuine interest and have given legitimate thought towards working there, not just submitted a shot in the dark application. Read more