Be Prepared to Act on Hot Job Leads

Recent favorable news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a steady rise in the number of jobs being added to the U.S. economy. Job seekers should be encouraged by the possibility of increased job opportunities and prepared to act promptly on relevant job leads. The following suggestions can help.

Keep Resume and Cover Letter Updated

Your resume and cover letter should always be current, professional, and polished. Use it to succinctly communicate the skills, experience, and knowledge that make you a great candidate for the job. Remember to add some tailored points to both the resume and cover letter to address the specific job you are pursuing. If you always keep a great resume and basic cover letter at the ready, customization should be quick and easy.

Remember References, Work Samples, and Professional Attire

If a company is moving fast to fill a position or you join the candidate pool late in the process, be ready to respond quickly to inquiries. Have professional references already lined up and professional attire available for an interview or meeting. Additionally, if you are pursuing an occupation in which samples of work are commonly requested, be sure you’ve identified samples you can share.

Create an Elevator Pitch

Every job seeker should have an elevator pitch¾a short speech, typically two minutes or less, that summarizes your qualifications and skills and highlights your potential value to an organization. This pitch should be succinct and compelling, and the best ones will pique the listener’s interest and spark further dialogue.

Follow Up Immediately

When you hear of a hot job lead, follow up immediately to demonstrate interest as well as professionalism and motivation. Find a way to organize and track your job search, including actions already taken and next steps. If your efforts lead to an interview, be sure to send a prompt thank you note.

Sorting Out the Craigslist Job Scams

There are hundreds-if not thousands-of job posting websites on the internet, some that cater to specific industries/career fields and others that accommodate all fields. Craigsliststands out among the latter for being both comprehensive and (by and large) free for employers to post their position openings. “Free” can present problems for job seekers, as Craigslist has become a haven for scams and false postings. How do you quickly spot scams on Craigslist? Follow these progressive tips to learn what’s real and what’s fake.

It’s in the name: Take a look at the ad you suspect isn’t real: does it have the name of an actual business in the posting? Sometimes phony Craigslist ads do not list the name of the business in it. This is not a hard and fast rule, however, as there are times when a business (particularly small businesses) wants to maintain anonymity. Treat ads that do not contain the name of the business with suspicion and move on to the next part of your investigation.

Email and phone awareness: Does the ad contain a local phone number or a business-based email address? Again, neither are requirements for legitimate ads but their presence speaks to the ad’s authenticity. It’s not uncommon for scam ads to contain a Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail email address, so treat all of those with suspicion (particularly if they are a derivation of someone’s name, like “joe_schmoe@hotmail.com”). Sometimes, though a business will use one of these email providers as their business email address (such as “fergusonaccoutingspecialists@gmail.com”) so, again, no hard and fast rule here; just something of which to be aware. The final tip, though, will ensure you’re in the clear.

Get your Google on: If the ad passes the email and phone test but you still are not sure of its legitimacy, the most successful-but most time consuming-way to determine it is to copy and paste a random piece of text (I recommend seven to nine words) into Google between quotation marks. If your search produces a lot of listings across many job sites outside of your geographic area (including other cities’ Craigslist sites), it’s a sure-fire scam; stay away from it. If not, you can apply with confidence.

Be wary of Craigslist ads that do not contain a business name, phone number, or professional business email address. Examine them carefully and, when in doubt, use the Google method to protect yourself from scams, cons, and swindles.

Staying Motivated during a Job Search

For most job seekers, the search process can be long, frustrating, and down-right discouraging. You start out positive and motivated only to find that your motivation depletes after months of receiving very few responses and no job offers. Following are some suggestions for staying motivated throughout your search.

Envision Success

Be realistic—a job search takes time and patience. Throughout the process, visualize your job search resulting in success. Focus on this vision at least once a day.

Set Goals

Setting goals—for example, weekly goals—and acting upon them will help you reach that vision. For example, set a goal for the number of people you plan to network with or the number of target companies you will research each week. Other goals: Attending workshops or classes to sharpen skills.

Organize

Prioritize and schedule weekly job-search activities and organize your contacts. Reach out to all your contacts and keep in touch regularly with those who can be most helpful.

Drop Negative Thoughts and Excuses

If you’re still harboring resentment about your last employer, let it go. Start fresh and focus on new career opportunities. Drop excuses for not contacting or sending a resume to the professionals on your list. Excuses are typically just roadblocks that delay your success.

Step Outside, Literally and Figuratively

Leave your computer and step outside! Use the computers and references at the public library or take your laptop to a coffee house. You’ll feel more connected when you’re surrounded by other people. Plus, stepping outside your comfort zone to introduce yourself to new people or experiences can help you grow, personally and professionally.

Developing Job Leads

Most people would agree that the best job leads come from friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Someone who knows someone who may have an opening—you know the drill.

The more people you have out there aware of your situation—what you have to offer, where your interests lie—the more likely employment opportunities arise. Some ways of developing job leads include:

E-networking: There are many internet sites designed to quickly connect you to people in your industry or field. LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site offering you access to your contacts’ connections. Other sites to check out include Ryze and Plaxo.
Professional organizations: There is a professional group for every industry and discipline. Gateway to Associations, offered through the Center for Association Leadership, allows you to search by industry and geographic location.
Informational interviews: The quality of your connections is at least as important as the quantity. Generally, people like to share their expertise with others. These interviews are not specific to an open position, but allow you to find out more about a field or industry in which you are interested. The personal contact will keep you top-of-mind when opportunities arise.
Project work: If you are between jobs, consider doing some consulting in your field. It is an easier way to get your foot in the door and a great way to build your resume while you meet new people—which can lead to additional projects or permanent positions.