Job Preparedness

From Senior Planet Resource Exchange

• Know your goals, interests and expectations. Before you start your search, spend some time thinking about - and writing down - what you really want to do. This can help you know what you are not willing to do as well. You may have to compromise along the way, so the more you think about these things beforehand, the more focused your search will be. Preparation is the key!

• Consider your talents, skills and experience. Recognizing what you're good at will help you get a strong start on your search. "Keywords" make Internet searches more focused and will direct you to websites and services that address the skills and talents you already have. Using current terminology for your existing experience is important too. Browse around to familiarize yourself with some of these "new" terms.

• Have an up-to-date resume. Now is the time to dust off your resume and get it looking perfect! There are many websites and services that can get your existing resume updated - and can get you started writing a new one from scratch. You can also consider contacting any schools you may have attended for help as many colleges - and some high schools - offer career support services like resume writing and interview skills.

• Be patient! The ease and convenience of the Internet can bring job searching right into your home - offering 24 hour a day accessibility. You can search as often as you like, and send out dozens of resumes in no time, as long as you have Internet access. However, the ease of applying for jobs in this modern way often means that the number of resumes you send out may far exceed the number of responses you get. Persistence may be admirable, but knowing when to recognize that an employer is not interested, is also a valuable asset.

Career Advicehttp://www.nytimes.com/marketing/jobmarket/career-resources/index.html

An effective job search requires more than sending out resumes. As a job seeker, you should arm yourself with as much information about potential jobs as possible, including salary comparison data and company research.