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A famous quote says a goal without a plan is just a dream. It would help if you were more specific than declaring you want a job. When you get clear on the type of job you want, it can help you clarify the types of jobs to apply for and where to find them. Before submitting applications, you should set targets for the number of networking events
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you attend and the job applications you'll submit each week. It would help if you also thought about why you're applying for a job. If it's about earning money, you can do that anywhere, so you must drill down and figure out your motivation to find employment.
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Once you're clear on your career goals, you can create a plan. Are there sites specializing in the industry you want to be a part of? If there is, you should sign up with the site and receive updates on industry events, possibly including job fairs. Determine what your job search schedule will be. Do you plan to look for work every day, or are
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you planning to do your job search a few times a day? Whatever your plan is, schedule the time in your calendar, and be consistent.
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Recruiters and hiring managers pick potential candidates by reviewing the cover letters and resumes they receive. By customizing your documents to the position you're applying for, you can improve your chances of getting noticed by a potential employer. Your cover letter and resume should be concise and easy to read while highlighting your
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achievements, skills, and experience. You can ask a family member, friend, colleague, or career coach to proofread both documents and provide feedback. You can also hire resume services to help you fine-tune your resume.
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When seeking employment, it's a good idea to update your LinkedIn profile or create one if you don't already have an account. LinkedIn is often the first place recruiters and hiring managers go to learn more about you and your experience. Ensure your profile picture is professional and not taken by a friend at a party. Consider joining professional social
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networks and posting content related to your field. You can also comment on topics you're interested in to connect with like-minded people. You can expand your online visibility by connecting with classmates, former professors and coaches, and coworkers from campus jobs.
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Numerous employment resources don't require you to pay for them. On some sites, you can learn about different career paths and research companies to get an idea of their culture, interview process, and industry. If you're looking for information to help you negotiate a salary, you can find information on sites like PayScale and
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Salary.com. You can also find lots of information with tips on networking in-person and online, and you can ask your school's alumni association for access to their career services department.
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Networking is essential to a successful job hunt because there are many job openings that employers do not advertise. Connecting with people in professional organizations is an excellent way to establish professional relationships that could lead to a job. Your friends and family can be a part of your network.
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While digital networking is increasingly popular, some feel that connecting with seasoned professionals and like-minded people in-person can influence your career path positively. You can interact with people at seminars, classes, and social events.
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After you submit your application, the next step may be an interview that the interviewer does in person, over the phone, or in a video chat. Regardless of the format, there are steps you can take to prepare. You can prepare by locating sample interview questions and creating responses to them. You can practice yourself or
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ask a colleague or friend to help you prepare. You may be interested in learning how to use Google's Interview Warmup to prepare for a job interview.
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Keeping a record of your submitted applications can help you determine what strategies are working and the areas you need to improve. List the jobs you've applied for, how you found out about them, follow-up actions, interviews, and other communications. Review your list regularly and stay on top of anything you need to follow up on.
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A quick thank-you note or email reiterating your interest in the position won't guarantee the hiring manager will give you the job, but it can help you stand out from other applicants. The majority of job seekers don't spend the time to send a thank you note. You can do more than say thank you in the note. Some hiring professionals
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recommend sending a clear and brief email thanking the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you and asking about the timing and process for the rest of the hiring process. Asking this question gives the employer a chance to provide an idea of how fast they're looking to hire and when you can expect to know if you got the job.