Finding a Job: Researching Your Job Market

The cognizant job-searcher will know that he or she needs to do a few things before looking for a job can even begin. Start by researching your job market.  How many positions like the one you want are available in your area?  How many people with your qualifications are looking for the same job?  These numbers can help you figure out what your odds are of even finding a job in your field and whether you will be considered or will drown in a sea of applicants.  If there are a lot of applicants, make sure you stand out: update your résumé; wear a bright shirt under that black suit; find something in common with your interviewer and comment on it. 

If there are few positions in your chosen field in your area, check into other fields.  Also, never quit your current position before you have verified employment with another company.  Just because you assume you got the job doesn’t mean you have been accepted; wait until you get the offer letter.

Interview Tips: New Careers

When you are getting ready to switch to a new career, you will probably have to handle difficult questions that may come up in your interviews.  Many interviewers will ask about your previous work experience, what your past career was, and why you have decided to turn your attentions to your newly chosen field.  While these questions may seem difficult, it is fairly easy to make these inquiries work for you.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to tell your interviewer the truth: “I have been pursuing a degree in this field and have finally achieved it” is a perfectly acceptable answer for someone who worked while taking college classes.  But avoid going into personal details like, “My ex-husband works at my old job and I had to get away from him.” Instead say, “I have been looking for an opportunity to pursue this field and changes in my family life now allow me to seek employment in this field.”

Interview Tips: New Graduates

Congratulations! You have finished your college degree and are ready to pursue your chosen career.  Now all you have to do is get a job interview in your field and get hired, right?  Well, that may sound easy, but it may be harder than you think. 

You need to know what to focus on in the interview to draw the interviewer away from your lack of experience in the field.  Most college grads have little if any experience in their field; they have the degree, but no actual work experience.  Focus on your organizational skills and your ability to finish several things at once (i.e. college exams); focus on any leadership and teamwork skills you may have learned in extra-curricular activities (i.e. fraternal organizations or athletics).  Finally, discuss your desire to find a job where you can learn and grow with the company; this will ensure that the interviewer knows you plan to stay with the company after they have trained you.

Interview Tips: “Do you have any questions?”

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will often ask the interviewee if he or she has any questions to ask about the position or about the company.  Many people become afraid to ask a question, fearing that they will either not like the answer or that the interviewer will not like the question. 

The thing to remember is that most interviewers like it when interviewees ask questions.  This shows them that the interviewee was listening and is genuinely interested in the position.  Feel free to ask the hard questions about health insurance benefits like when they begin for a new-hire; ask about the salary; ask about vacation time and sick leave.  All of these things should be considered as part of the job package you are being offered.  Also, ask about the company and its history.  This will prove to the interviewer that you are interested in the company and not just the job.

Interview Tips: Confidence

Everyone knows that confidence is the key to successful interviews, but that is can easily leave you when you need it.  This is because job interviews are notoriously self-effacing.  When you walk into a room full of people who are wondering whether or not you can do a job, you start to second guess your abilities, and that shows in your body language and your facial expressions. 

The keys to appearing confident when you really don’t feel confident are posture and eye contact.  Stand up straight; walk confidently as if you were walking into a room full of your friends.  Remember that these people are only looking for the right candidate and are not trying to be harsh; they are just doing their jobs.  Now, shake hands with everyone and make eye contact when you do so.  When you are asked a question, look the person in the eye when you answer.  Finally, smile; friendliness goes a long way in any job.