I was going to do a hub about the 10 things your boss doesn’t want you to know but you can view that link for that list at the bottom…….

I was told that I can find a job quick and fairly easy so I’ve decided to enlighten everyone about the process that I take when I am out of work or “in-between jobs.” Let’s start off with the basics before diving in…..




1. Start with getting a plain jane email account. Employers are viewing applicants’ facebook and twitter accounts! I don’t think that a person’s personal life should determine if they get the job or not! There’s a saying…. “Don’t bring home (problems) to work and don’t take work (problems) home.” So why on GOD’s green earth are you looking at my Facebook page? Stay out my personal life! Any who…. Get a plain jane email account that isn’t connected to anything! Your best bet is to have an email address that includes your name. It tells employers that your email account is for business/professional purposes only. Ex. Firstname.lastname@yahoo.com. It doesn’t look good when an employer opens an email from babysgotback@youknowit.com. And changing your username on your social networking accounts from your real name to a nick name minimizes the chances of the employer coming across your profile while surfing social networks.

2. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE…..change your outgoing message on your voicemail! Yes, baby Tyler sounds so cute saying, “My mommy said she’s not here right now….what should I say now mommy? Say bye? Ok, bye bye.” It's cute for you, your family members, your friends, your in-laws, etc but it’s unprofessional when an employer hears that. The first thing on their mind is that they may possibly have the wrong number.

3. Pounding the pavement. Why, oh why? Yes, sometimes it works but most of the time it doesn’t. Some of the jobs that require you to come in to do an application are normally minimum wage jobs. Unless you want to flip burgers…save yourself some gas and foot pain and pound the keyboard and not the pavement. Employers will always direct you to their website, anyway. You will hear a lot of…”Go online and fill out an application.” FYI…fast food places, Walmart and a lot of retail companies require applicants to do an online application.

4. Searching the web. Stay away from Craigslist. Anyone can post a listing as long as they have a computer, phone and email. Most of the jobs are bogus. If you do frequent Craigslist for jobs only respond to those that have call back numbers or real email accounts. Ex. humanresources@aetna.com. If you see something like…zxyn789hym@job.craigslist.org….stay clear! I never get a call back when I respond to those emails. If you are one of those people that do get a response back…good for you. I use Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com (rarely), and Indeed.com. I also ask people if they know if anyone is hiring. If you have friends or family members that are working, check out their employer’s website. Also check companies that you would like to work for. I do a lot of call center customer service so I check sites that I know have call center agents. Companies like Blue Cross, AT&T, etc. If you have engineering experience try going to AirTran.com. You probably didn’t hear that they were hiring but some employers advertise on their site long before they advertise anywhere else.

5. Revise your resume. Now, everyone knows that you have to spruce up your resume. Ex. Secretaries just aren’t secretaries anymore. They are Administrative Assistants. Get creative. If you have to use the Thesaurus on your PC then go for it! Take the dates off your resume! You may have had a few jobs that were only 3 to 4 months long. But you have the experience that they are looking for. Taking the dates off your resume forces the employer to look at your experience as opposed to how long you were there. You can explain the length of employment and employment gaps during the interview. Just get your foot in the door! Also make more than one resume if you are applying for different careers. Don’t apply with a resume that has your cashier experience to a warehouse position. Always keep it simple! Don’t be too wordy on your resume. Employers don’t like to read paragraphs. They have way too many resumes to look at. They will skim your resume for your experience before they look at your name. (Sometimes) And keep your resume to 1 (one) page only! Not 2, 3 or 4.

6. The interview! Here’s the meat and potatoes of this hub! Most people bomb on interviews because they are too nervous or they aren’t prepared. First and foremost…GET THERE EARLY! If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late! If you’re nervous picture the interviewer in his or her underwear. (That will keep a smile on your face if the person is the opposite sex. Same sex interview, imagine that the interviewer has holes or “skid marks” in their underwear. Just use something to keep a smile on your face!)

You got the interview….now what?

A. Give them that WOW factor. Dress to impress! When asked a question, give an answer and then extra info on top of that. Ex. Did you enjoy your last job? I loved it! (extra) I really enjoyed working with the people there.

B. NEVER, EVER, EVER give a negative! When asked what is one negative thing about yourself, always give a positive and then give a reason why. Ex. “I feel that I am too obsessed with time. I always have to be on time. It doesn’t matter where I’m going.” This tells the employer that you will always come to work on time.

C. When asked, “Give me a time when you went over and beyond.” Give the best, most extreme example that you can. Be excited about it! If you can’t think of anything, make something up! They won’t know because they weren’t there! Take the time to practice your interview questions beforehand. The questions are always the same and the interviewer will sometimes ask the same question twice but they will word it differently.

D. Make and KEEP eye contact. Never look away. You will have plenty of opportunities to look around while the interviewer is taking notes.

E. Smile! :-) Don’t sit there like you are a robot! You are not Ferris Bueller’s teacher! Put a little life in your voice. (Dang, I haven't seen that movie in awhile)

F. ASK QUESTIONS! I can’t say this enough! If you don’t ask questions the interviewer will think that you really don’t want the position. ASK QUESTIONS! If you don’t have any…here are a few …..

1. How many positions are currently open?

2. How long is the training? Is it paid training?

3. Does it include medical coverage?

4. When will you be making your final decision?

I have realized that a lot of employers will tell you about the company after the “Tell me about yourself” question. So you really don’t have to research the company. (But still do your research though). Never ask about the pay rate on the 1st interview. Wait until the 2nd interview for that. Normally the interviewer will give you the pay rate and hours after the “About the company” speech.

I hope that my little tips will help those that are currently seeking employment. Good Luck.




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