1. Stay Updated: Set up Google Alerts for each of your top employment prospects. Review the latest news before your interview.
2. Practice Your Writing Skills: All professional positions require excellent writing skills. Take the time to upgrade yours.
3. Do Your Homework: Always research the organization prior to interviewing. Knowing some of the company’s successes and accolades, such as awards and charitable actions, shows that you have done your homework.
4. Have a Focused Plan: Create a list of companies that you will systematically contact. Prioritize companies that are a close match to your experience and skills.
5. Schedule Networking: Treat networking like a job. Fill your calendar with events and follow-up regularly.
6. Arrive 10 Minutes Before the Interview: Arriving early relieves the stress of possibly being late and demonstrates that you are responsible and dependable.
7. Professional Email: Don’t use your “party email” for follow-up. Get an email address that is simple and professional.
8. Get Business Cards: Make a point of asking for your contact’s business card. This will ensure that you have correct titles and spelling for follow-up.
9. Stay Positive and Smile: Employers want positive and upbeat team players. Put your attitude on display with a smile and an optimistic outlook.
10. Make a Memorable Impression on Everyone: Shake hands and say thank you to everyone you meet, from the hiring manager to the receptionist.
11. Firm Handshake: You can’t go wrong with delivering a solid handshake. Remember – firm, not bone-crushing.
12. Think Win/Win: Remember that you must solve a problem for the employer to get the position. Know how your unique experience and skills benefits the employer.
13. Stay Patient and Optimistic: The job market is tough right now. The most persistent and optimistic candidates have the best chances of landing a position.
14. Start a Blog: Blogs are an excellent way to demonstrate your writing skills. Also, use the blog to talk about your hobbies and interests.
15. Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles: If you use Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter profiles, make sure you review them to make sure they are professional and ready for employer scrutiny.
16. Make Your Resume Shareable: Online resumes are a great way to demonstrate your technical prowess. Go ahead and include a Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook button to make your resume easy to share.
17. Create a Professional List on Facebook: Set up a specific list of professional contacts to help keep your job search separate from your personal account profiles. This isn’t fool-proof but it will help.
18. Use Facebook Groups for Networking: Search Facebook for relevant professional groups. Get involved and contribute to the group before you start actively networking for job opportunities.
19. Be Proactive on Twitter: Follow the Twitter streams of prospective employers. Many companies also maintain career-specific accounts that could give you advance notice of great opportunities
20. Create a Video Resume and Upload It to YouTube: A video resume is simply a 5-6 minute video of you discussing your past positions and accomplishments. This is an excellent way to stand out if you feel comfortable on camera.
21. Focus on LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the #1 resource for job seekers and employers. Spending time mastering this tool is well worth the investment. A simple search for “LinkedIn Tips” will deliver a wealth of excellent information.