5 Tips To Finding A Job

The United States is in a recession and in the midst of the highest unemployment rate since 1996, with more than 1.1 million jobs lost over the past five months.* For the unemployed, or those preparing for a layoff, that translates into an increasingly competitive job search. So with that many unemployed people competing for a smaller number of job openings, how can today's job seekers gain the advantage to finding a job in the recession? The following ten tips are offered by ResumeMaker, a business unit of Individual Software Inc. that produces resume-writing software and online resume preparation services at 

1. Build Your Network: Networking for your next job is always important, but with higher unemployment and more job seekers in the field, it is even more important. Many job seekers learn about the openings through their network before they are advertised. Friends, family, business associates, trade associations, alumni groups, and church organizations may provide a head start to your next job interview before the public finds out. So take the initiative to reach out to your network.

2. Stay Organized: Nowadays, job seekers are soliciting more companies and networking with more people to find the next job. This requires that today's candidates be extremely organized during their job search. Establish a centralized database to store information, such as: the company and interviewer's name and title; the company's products and services; the date of the job interview; and the status of interviews, thank you notes, and other follow-up tasks.

3. Highlight Your Accomplishments: A resume is the perfect place to boast. Clearly list key accomplishments, and the correlating impact under each job listing. Each impact statement should begin with the results of the achievement. For example, "Cut overhead costs by 25 percent by streamlining workflow and centralizing operations." Load the resume with active verbs and keyword nouns. Active verbs sell the employer and keyword nouns increase the odds of your resume being found in a resume database.

4. Consider a Functional Resume: If you are considering a career transition--as is the case for many job seekers in recently impacted fields, such as the high tech, travel and airline industries--a functional resume is needed. A functional resume highlights cross-over skills and achievements and downplays job titles and industries. This is an ideal way to show prospective employers that you're perfect for the job, even though your experience may not be directly related.

5. Broadcast Your Resume: Candidates are plentiful in today's job search, so it is important for a job seeker to get in front of a prospective employer first. A direct way is by e-mailing the resume to targeted companies and recruiters, and posting it to major career Web sites. This automatically provides job seekers with the broadest reach to any hiring manager in search of candidates.