Looking for a Job?

Looking for a Job?

The job market remains tight for everyone, but especially so for recent college graduates. Because of this, too many job applicants end up with a position that does not meet their goals. So what can you do to make the job search process work better for you? Network, network, network. As any marketer will tell you, if you don't have awareness even the best product will not be purchased. In a job search you are the product, and luck has nothing to do with building awareness. You just need to get over the fear of networking and be determined to make as many connections as possible.

	Position yourself. After awareness you must know how to break away from the crowd. What can you do to stand out? Why should an employer talk to you versus the other 100 applicants? Make sure your resume is targeted for the job/position you are looking for and be willing to be flexible to create a "resume for one".
	Brevity is a gift. Decision makers are busy, especially ones that can make the key hiring decision. Rehearse a summary statement to tell your network and perspective employer what you are looking for, your short terms goals, and how you can help them.
	Know more than the next guy. Once you know what type of job you would like, spend the time to find out which companies you would like to target. Conduct research on the target companies and be prepared to show your knowledge when you walk in the door.
	Keep making your point of difference better. While looking for your chosen position, be willing to continue to make yourself better in the eyes of your target employer. Consider taking freelance work in your chosen career. Volunteer for a non-profit in the area of your choosing, work part-time, or take extra course work. For example, volunteer to do the books for a youth soccer club as you prepare for an accounting career, or write copy for your church web site or other charitable organization if journalism is your chosen career path.
	Be gracious. Always send thank you notes or emails. The more personal the better. Hand written notes are the best, especially in this digital era.
	Make contacting you a breeze. Create and hand out business cards that look professional. Have all your contact information on the card.
	Review your digital reflection. Conduct a find on yourself on the internet. What you find is what your target employer will find. At a minimum make sure what is visible does not hurt you. But even better, have what is viewable support your desired profession.
	Leverage resources. Join job search groups and use online tools to make yourself even more available to prospective employers.
	Create a team. Finding a job is very frustrating. It can be summed up as a vast collection of "no's" as you are turned down with one concluding "yes" as you accept a job offer. To help combat this, consider building a team of supporters that will help keep you on task, motivated, and generally act as a reliable sounding board. This also includes having quality pre-selected references lined up.

Example:A recent MBA student really wanted to work in a consumer packaged goods company as a marketing manager. The hopeful employee's target company's HR department had a policy to only look at graduates from three schools and his was not one of them. What to do? Through networking our candidate was able to get an audience with a marketing director for an informational lunch. In the meantime, our candidate researched the company, discovered they were having a problem with one of their product lines, then spent the time developing a marketing plan to attack the problem. During their informational meeting, the plan was given to the director to pass along to the right department. Free work? You bet. Did he get a job? You bet.

Deducting Job Hunting Expenses

Deducting Job Hunting Expenses If you are searching for a new job in your present line of work, the following expenses are usually deductible even if you don't end up with the job: Costs to prepare resumes and letters including typing, stationery and postage. Fees paid to employment agencies, recruiters, and consultants Transportation to interviews including out-of-town lodging Meals while out-of-town for interviews or entertainment related to the job hunt are deductible at 50% In-town and long distance telephone/cell phone bills Remember however, that these expenses combined with other miscellaneous deductions are subject to reduction equal to 2% of your adjusted gross income.