5 Ways to Fix Your Job Search

Networking Unknown Contacts

Richard Bolles, in What Color is Your Parachute first clued me into the idea that second-order contacts (friends of friends) are often the most helpful. I think it's because:

* They are specifically recommended, so there's a better chance of being able to help.

* They are helping two people at once (you and the friend who introduced you to each other)

* There are a lot of them -- so it's a bigger pool of resources.

So, we have to talk to people outside our immediate circle if we want to talk to the people who can really help.

Steve

www.PerfectJobSoftware.com

Steve Davies of IL @ Mar 03, 2009 13:01:44 PM

Resumes and Cover Letters

Always print your resume and cover letter to review. You tend to pick up on errors when it is in your hand and is viewed as the employer will view it.

Have someone else proof read it. You know what you planned to say and your mind subconsciously fills in words...You can often miss little mistakes.

If you don't receive any bites on your resume, consider obtaining help or least some honest feedback from people in the field that you are applying for jobs.

Keep it simple, consise, neat and easy to scan and read. No one will spend 30 minutes trying to figure out what you have to offer.

Mark A. of NC @ Feb 09, 2009 17:41:04 PM

Networking-Online and Offline

Linked In!! Meetup.com..NETWORKING is the best way!!!! Swallow your pride and start calling those friends, class-mates from school you never liked, family members..get the word out there.

PK of NC @ Feb 09, 2009 10:38:03 AM

Great advice

More great tips at http://www.job-applying.com

Jeff Parah @ Jan 18, 2009 15:10:38 PM

These are really good tips, but not necessarily effective in these tough times from what I have experienced personally. Now I know you will probably say that I need to fix my 5th problem.

Kunal of AL @ Jan 02, 2009 23:17:45 PM

Even Pros make mistakes

Great suggestion about the copy editor - small mistakes are a great excuse for eliminating you from a search. Even professionally done resumes can have spelling errors - don't rely on one person - get a second opinion!

Sabrina of CA @ Dec 22, 2008 15:46:34 PM

Good ideas -- especially think the resume editor is unique idea. Thanks.

M of IL @ Dec 18, 2008 17:31:37 PM