| Local job search: 4 1/2 to 8 months is the average | | | | you the shot you need. Your cover letter should also |
| amount of time a job search is taking in the US | | | | ask for an interview. |
| today. Many job seekers find that demoralizing, how | | | | Your resume needs to be well crafted and present |
| can you go into a job interview standing tall and being | | | | you in the best light. There are many resources and |
| the person your next company needs? | | | | templates for building a resume. Sometimes people |
| Why does your job search have to be average? | | | | get more involved with form and spend too much time |
| How can you develop an edge that will take you to | | | | picking out a template. Just start with a blank page |
| the front of the line and help you rapidly generate job | | | | and do a reverse chronolgy of your employment |
| leads and then hone the other skills you need to get | | | | history and highlight your key skills. Add education |
| you that job? | | | | and anything else you feel puts you in a good light for |
| We are talking about three basic skills: | | | | your prospective employer and you will soon have a |
| 1. Find job leads | | | | resume that you can polish and put into whatever |
| 2. Cover letter and resume | | | | form you like - but don't waste time on the trivial. |
| 3. The interview | | | | Remember that your cover letter and resume are |
| If you learn what it takes to get an edge in each of | | | | agents to get you to the interview. At the interview |
| these areas then your job search will produce a | | | | you become your own agent and it is up to you to |
| better job for you and produce it more quickly than | | | | land the job. Be prepared with a smile and a firm |
| just an average search. | | | | handshake when you go into the interview. Be |
| Job search sites abound and that is part of the | | | | prepared with knowledge of the company you intend |
| problem. So many choices and different jobs on | | | | to work for by having visited their website and having |
| many of them. The other problem is how fresh are | | | | read about them on the web. |
| the leads. Still this is a good place to begin. There | | | | Be ready for common interview questions, learn what |
| are also sites like that scrape leads from other site, | | | | they are. Even simple questions like, "why do you |
| newspapers, and anywhere they can find them. | | | | want to work here" have tripped up even the best job |
| Check these out as well. Consider networking sites | | | | candidates. But if you prepare that won't be you. |
| like Many have found these kinds of sites very | | | | Remember to not be negative about your old job, or |
| effective. Later we'll give you some information | | | | people on the job, rather be forward looking and |
| about where to find out how to automate job lead | | | | positive. |
| generation. | | | | So why do you want that job? Not just because |
| Your cover letter and resume are the next things that | | | | you are out of work. No you want it because you |
| need to 'tick' for you. Your cover letter is possibly the | | | | are building a future and you want to contribute while |
| most important piece that you will write. It is the | | | | you advance your career. |
| primary agent to get your interview and to get your | | | | No, your local job search does not have to be |
| resume read. Many resumes do not get proper | | | | average. Take just a little time and learn to do it |
| attention because they are just there and look much | | | | better. |
| like many others. But the right cover letter will get | | | | |