Tips and Jobs^.com

Tips to use before you start your job search

by Nuno Lopes

It’s not easy to find a job, especially in these days, and in the situation that the world faces. This market situation demands an active search for jobs, that is, to look for a job in a persistent and organized way. Don’t let your self down; learn to adopt a positive and dynamic attitude.

Don’t believe that there are no opportunities for you, don’t spend your days watching TV, and don’t keep waiting for your phone to ring. Stop being lazy. Job searching it’s a full time job. It’s about a real job that requires time, energy, will and persistence. Looking for a job shouldn’t be made in a random way, but instead in an organized way.

 First, start by evaluating yourself, making a personal and professional balance of yourself. You should try to answer the following questions: “what can I do?”; “What do I like to do?”; “What don’t I like to do?”; “In what sort of activities am I good at?”; “What do others think of me?”; “In which aspects should I improve?”; “Do I have the need to improve my knowledge and professional skills?”; “Will I be Willing to move far from home?”. After reflecting about your skills, tastes and interests, try to make a list about the kind of jobs that could better fit your professional profile. You should dedicate so much hours a day as you would by working in a regular company.

Second, you must organize a plan of action. Keep yourself posted about the job market. Read the job section of the daily newspapers, and highlight the ones that interest you. Search and choose the available offers in your employment Centre, private agencies and temporary job companies. Try to keep up with the adds you can find in supermarkets and other public locations. Call your relatives and friends to obtain some information regarding other job opportunities. Analyze what are the most requested job by the companies, and the requirements they’re searching for.

Make a list of the professional activities where there’s more search. Make a list of the companies that require those specific activities and their addresses. Answer to those offers immediately.  Tomorrow can be late.

Make a spontaneous application.  Not all job offers are published. Lots of them aren’t exposed publicly. But how to find them?

Make advertisement of yourself. Write and publish your own job add.

Write and send spontaneous application letters with your resumes to the companies you previously selected. The ones who look for jobs aren’t asking for anything, they’re just offering a service. The next step is learning how to make good cover letters and resumes (Curriculum Vitae). 

Nuno Lopes, | Published 07/08/2006 | http://www.tipsandjobs.com