3 Tips on Job Searching

Finding a job these days can be a daunting task with so many various options to pursue in the search. So many online groups make promises that lead to nowhere, and there are so many various avenues in which to begin the search, that it can get a bit overwhelming. As a job seeker in this current economic climate, you need to be ready to step it up a notch in all aspects of presentation and skills. As a career coach with Ricklin-Echikson Associates, Cheryl Lunch Simpson says "The quality of your job search skills becomes more critical in an uncertain economic climate," and "in a nutshell, your skills need to be better, you need to be more aware of career branding, and you must be more strategic about approaching employers." Here are a few tips that may help you get a focus on a good strategy to pursue in your search.

Don't simply count on job boards or resume banks to do all of the work for you. Many of these services make grand promises, but while they may be a benefit, do not make them your only tool for job searching. Many services have software that scans your resume, picking up and cataloging keywords, but this does not always translate to getting your resume into the hands of a client, and on top of that many positions are not openly advertised where services can always pick them up. So while this is an option you should not avoid using, you should not rely on just that, but heavily use networking as a way to find the positions not being advertised.

Networking is one of the stronger paths to travel for job searches. Hopefully you have a networking plan in place, and have a circle of friends, former co-workers, or associates in the field that you can reach out to when needed. Networking allows you to touch base with those on the inside or those who know people on the inside, and people on the inside know of the jobs that are not advertised or that are about to come open. This is where the common cliché' "It's all about who you know" plays a big part in the job search.

Remember, networking works both ways. Do not always be a taker, but offer help as often as possible, even if not asked. Be known for being an active networker by passing on tips and information to your contacts. A warm contact list is often much more productive that a cold one.

Just look for more opportunities to expand your job search ability and do not "put all your eggs in one basket. Of course this blog offers assistance in the job search and is a great place to start. Just click HERE.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Logistics Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.