We all know that getting a job is harder than keeping one. When we are on a job, we tend to complain about the office politics and trival things like "But she always needs the fax machine when I have to fax something!". However, there is always a certain degree of fun involved in a job. Besides, sticking to a job takes patience, endurance, independent thinking and the hope of getting promoted. The basic rule is just to do what is expected.
Job hunting, on the other hand, required separate skill. You have to get out of your cosy bed, despite not having a routine to follow. You are going to be on your most of the day. If you have time to spare between two interviews, spend it alone. Spending it with a friend fetches you high chances of not going for the second one. You also have to wander the streets and that isn't even for shopping purposes. Do whatever it takes and remember - GETTING A JOB IS A JOB ITSELF!
But, somehow, we don't tend to turn the job hunt into a full-time job due to the fact that we love the bumming around. We prolong the operation, and after three weeks of whiling away our time, doing nothing, we label job hunting as a lengthy process and wonder why we aren't hired. It takes a lot of discipline, guts and determination to get a job. As an unemployed person, you run a one person army - yourself! Think positive, send out good vibes and remember - where there is a will, there is a way.
The ticket to an interview - your RESUME
1. Prepare it yourself. Don't use an agency, a mother, a father or a friend. You could get a little help from Microsoft though. Do not play with fonts - it's a suggestion you use Times New Roman, font size between 10 and 14. Also, keep in mind that presentation is just as important as substance.
2. State your technical knowledge first. State all programming languages, platforms and software that you have laid your hands on. Remember, it's a virtual world!
3. List your qualifications in order of relevance, from the most important to the least. If your educational field is more relevant to the job that you are applying for, state it first. Likewise, if your previous job or the job before that is more related, then go ahead and put that in first.
4. Honesty is the best policy. Claiming to know something that you don't is suicidal - there is a high chance of getting caught at the interview itself. However, you could quantify your experience a little.
5. Use active words. Portray an image of someone that takes action and gets things done. Stick with the past tense even when describing current status. This avoids confusion.
6. Be concise and precise. Avoid lengthy descriptions. Keep your resume short and to the point. An additional tip: never use the word "I" to describe yourself (eve though it does).
7. Omit needless items. For example, present, previous or expected salary need not be added. As gorgeous as you may be, include a photograph only when specifically told to do so. Your height, weight and eye color (unless applying for a modelling position) can be excluded.
8. Have trusted people review your resume; the more the better. Get them to comment on your content, quality and style of presentation.
9. Proofread, proofread and then proofread again. Your resume should be absolutely clear of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
10. Laser print it on plain, white paper. You can bank your trust in this advice, it's worth thr dollar. Your resume will be photocopied, faxed and scanned numerous times, after which ink jet printing may look a little sad. And, please, do not fold your resume.
Before the nightmare
If you make it past the first hurdle and are granted an interview, here are some points you should take note of before the day it
