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The Basics of Interviewing
Having a stable job is an important step to self-sufficiency in our society. The person who is gainfully employed has the dignity of being able to provide for him- or herself through the fruits of his or her labors rather than having to be continually dependent upon the generosity of others. In addition, a person with a long-term job is regarded as having a stake in the community and to be a person of solid character in a way that someone with a series of temporary or part-time jobs does not.
Unfortunately, economic problems have made it far more difficult to attain the goal of being employed in a stable job. Unemployment and underemployment have become rife since the implosion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac led to a devolutionary spiral in our economy. Although the government has been struggling to shore up the economy, jobs have continued to disappear and the creation of new jobs has not matched the numbers of people entering the job market.
As a result, it is absolutely essential to pursue all possible avenues for finding a job. For instance, many people have regarded college and university job fairs as being of little value, since the company representatives who attend them will see hundreds or even thousands of potential employees in a matter of hours. Similarly, people may discount the value of networking with friends and associates at a time when opportunities are scant on the ground. In fact, by rejecting a particular strategy out of hand, one foregoes the possibility that it might be the way by which one connects with an employer.
The first thing to do is to plan your approach to the job-hunting process. You need to have a clear idea of what assets you can bring to the table and how you can highlight them so that a potential employer sees you as valuable to the company. Consider what skills you have developed through education and previous employment and how they can be useful to a potential employer. You will also want to instill in yourself a positive attitude toward both the job-hunting process and your future as a working person. Employers look for people who have a positive attitude toward life and work.
Compose your resume carefully to show your skills and experience in the best possible light. Although your resume will not get you a job by itself, recruiters will use it to determine whether you have the qualifications that make you worth taking the time to interview. There are many sites on the Internet which can help you in preparing a professional-looking resumé.
If you are applying by mail, you will want to develop a cover letter which can be adapted to the specifics of each job to which you are applying. Do not simply recap your resumé. Instead, focus on conveying your reason for applying and how your skills are relevant to the company's line of business. Show you are excited about the job but never focus excessively upon salary aims. You do not want to appear mercenary.
When you are going to meet with employers in a face-to-face situation, make sure to prepare yourself so that you can make the best possible impression. Make sure that you dress appropriately for your interview, and carry yourself with confidence and poise. Employers want to see people who are eager but not desperate, confident but not arrogant, and attractive but not cloying.
By preparing yourself as much as possible, you will be equipped to face the process of jobhunting with aplomb.
